Warwick Climbing Club Winter Trip Glencoe, Scotland

Transcription

1 Warwick Climbing Club Winter Trip Glencoe, Scotland

2 WCC Winter Trip Glencoe, Scotland 19 th 26 th February 2017 Attendees: Iain Dyche, Alistair I, Will B, Chris Haynes, Adrián Goza Lo, Kevin Mooney Despite the conditions reported (there wasn t a winter in Scotland this year) and the weather forecast (rain, rain and more rain) we duly set off to Scotland and Glencoe Cottages in two cars. The advance party of Ali, Kevin, Will and Adrián travelled on the Sunday with Iain and Chris following the next day. The latter took mountain bikes with them as a precaution, but all of us optimistically packed ice axes, crampons, ropes etc. Because there would be an opportunity to do something, surely? Monday Iain and Chris were still en-route but the others set off to bag the near-by peak of Sgor na h-ulaaidh; possibly because it is even more unpronounceable than the other Gaelic-named mountains thereabouts. In fact, Will managed to find a cool app that would pronounce the name for you voiced apparently by an orc with a speech impediment and then tell you what it meant. It turns out that the names of most peaks sound like someone being violently sick. They saw only 4 other people all day, despite it being a relatively clement day of gale force winds and rain. Full marks to the team for staying out in it for eight hours. Tuesday The forecast being rather worse, Kevin and Adrian opted to do some actual climbing, indoors at the The Ice Factor in Kinlochleven. This is (I think) the largest artificial ice climbing venue in the UK and they had a good and exhausting time. When they were through climbing themselves they spent an hour with their noses stuck to glass watching a very good climber they happened to have spotted. They were just admiring her technique I am sure. Iain and Chris decided that cycling was the best outdoor option. Having driven to the Glen Coe Ski Resort, they cycled south on the West Highland Way as far as Loch Tulla in the rain. At this point a hoped for track on the map turned out to be blocked off and private forcing them to continue to Bridge of Orchy on a minor road to pick up the A82. Hearty thanks to the drivers on the A82 across Rannoch Moor that day as they all carefully avoided the two fools on mountain bikes who were being blown all over the road by the wind. It is a 40Km circuit, and the first, off-road half is a lot more pleasant than the return trip. Meanwhile, Will had elected to yomp up another Munro and Ali had sensibly decided to stay indoors and drink tea.

3 Wednesday Since it was raining for a change, Ali gave Kevin and Adrian a lift to Glen Nevis so that they could walk up the Ben by the tourist track. Amazingly, the rain stopped and the cloud lifted briefly so they did actually get to see the view from the top. Thursday There was a change in the weather! Instead of continuous rain we had continuous snow. Despite this we decided to go for a mass assault on the Munro peak Stob Na Broige (I am not making these names up by the way, check on a map if you doubt me). This turned out to be a big mountain day. There was ten centimetres or so of slippery wet snow on the ground which made for slow going. Iain had an exciting moment when, crossing a gulley on the way up, he went temporarily insane and jumped onto a snow bridge. This turned out to be as resilient as damp tissue paper and the collapse sent him five metres down the gulley and over a half metre high rock step, covered in water and slush. While this was happening the team were all kicking themselves that they had not kept their cameras or phones to hand. He wasn t hurt luckily but he selfishly refused to do it again so that we could get the video! Will went off to do another Munro in the glen one of the subpeaks of the Buachaille Etive Mor. Watching him disappear into the driving rain we did wonder at his sanity, but he returned safely, drenched and claiming to have enjoyed it. Chris and Ian went biking again, this time at the trail centre at Glen Nevis, which is very good it turns out. They spent a couple of hours on the tracks until they were actually fed up with being cold and wet. It is possible to get too much of a good thing. Ali proved once again that he is the only one with the sense to come in out the rain. We got to the top despite there being some impressive cornices building along parts of the ridge, which we had to wade through waist deep. Even Iain drew the line at descending by the same route however, so instead we took the gentler slope on the other side down into Glen Etive. This was a lot safer but did suffer the minor disadvantage of leaving us seven kilometres from the car. Hacking back along the road for that distance in the dark and rain while wearing mountain boots was not, in fact, as much fun as it sounds

4 Friday A brief window in the weather was promised so we made a last desperate effort to do some actual climbing and went for a mass assault on Castle Ridge. This is lowest of the ridges at the back of Ben Nevis, but we were hoping the wind would have scoured the snow off it and that it was high enough to be frozen. We opted to go up from the Glen Nevis side, since with the next lot of weather due about three pm, we would have the shorter route back with no navigation issues since it would be straight down the tourist track. Iain, Chris and Will decided they had enjoyed enough rain for the time being and departed homewards. The rain had not given up on them though; it followed them all the way from Glen Coe to Coventry, although it did almost stop once near Glasgow. Meanwhile the others went off to the Loch Ness visitors centre monster spotting and eventually had a bit of sunshine! Ali had to gently break it to the other two that not everyone sees the monster on the first visit. Unfortunately, having hauled ropes, gear etc. up the level of the start and then floundered through deep snow around the flank of the mountain, we arrived at the start of the route just as the weather broke two hours early. We still went up and tried it but it was covered in fresh snow (with more falling) and not frozen at all. After twenty metres we gave up and retreated back the way we came. By the time we got to the carpark it was pouring with rain. At least we tried. As is traditional, after getting dried and changed we went down to the Clachaig Inn for food and a few beers. After a beer or two it was noteworthy that Kevin s taste in jokes caused the hasty departure of the misfortunate couple who had been sharing a table with us. Saturday In the morning, it seemed that God had decided to empty the Atlantic Ocean by pouring it over Glen Coe. We had an early breakfast while watching the river level visibly rise. Sunday The remainder of the group returned home in glorious sunshine. Overall we were not lucky with the conditions and weather this year, but we had a good time anyway and had some memorable days. Thanks to all who came along and made it a fun trip. With special thanks to guest writer, Chris Haynes, and Adri Goza Lo for photography. Edited by Becky Chadwick, Press Secretary 2017.

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