Sunday, 20th September

Suilven beyond Loch Druim Suardalain

Sat 31st Oct – Sun 1st November  2009
O.S.Map(s): 15

Accommodation: Inchnadamph Lodge, Assynt (website)

Cost: £16.50 pppn

Facilities: Fully equipped kitchen, bunk beds with linen.

The Hills:  The Munros of Ben More Assynt & Conival are right behind the Lodge, and are the two highest peaks in Sutherland. The rest of the Assynt mountains are equally dramatic. Suilven is recognised as one of the iconic mountains of the north-west, if not the Highlands. Canisp, Quinag, Cul Mor, Cul Beag and of course Stac Pollaidh each offer a fantastic day out – and exceptional views.

For those who don’t fancy the high peaks there are many lower level walks to keep you occupied. From Stoer lighthouse there is a walk to the Old Man of Stoer sea stack, inland you can wander below Canisp & Suilven on the path from Elphin to Lochinver, or below the cliffs of Quinag from Little Assynt to Nedd.

Shorter walks to the Kirkaig Falls, the Bones Caves at Inchnadamph, from Achmelvich along the coast to the old Mill, and around the Little Assynt estate all abilities and/or ‘loop’ path are all popular.

Book now with Dan Moysey by email

Members will be saddened to hear of the recent and very sudden death of Sandy Falconer, known to his friends in the Club as Sly.  A past President of the MMC, Sly will be remembered with fondness by all his mountaineering friends. 

Once again we have secured access for the Club to use the indoor climbing wall at RAF Kinloss for the winter season. As the facility is in use by another group on Wednesdays, we will be using the wall on Thursdays.

Our first session will be on Thursday, 29th October 2009, 6.30-9.30 pm.

As we will need to be swiped in by someone from the RAF, could all members intending to come along make sure they are in front of the Gym (On south site, follow signs for Kinloss swimming pool) by 6.30 sharp. If you are going to be late, please let Illona know.

The dates we have booked are below, and the charge will be £4 per session.

Please note that due to insurance requirements, to take part in one of these sessions you must be a member of the MMC, or be able to prove you have the necessary insurance cover through individual membership of the MCofS or another Club.  To avoid disappointment, contact a member of the Committee to renew your membership or to join.

Thurs 29th October 2009
Thurs 12th November 2009
Thurs 26th November 2009
Thurs 10th December 2009
Thurs 14th January  2010
Thurs 28th January  2010
Thurs 18th February 2010
Thurs 11th March 2009

Alternate weeks will be at either the Inverness Aquadome wall or at ExTreme Dream in Aviemore on Wednesdays as usual.  Keep an eye out on the ‘Climbing Latest’ page of the website.

Sunday, 18th October 2009
O.S.Map(s): 19/24/25
Est. time of arrival: 9.45 am
Time of departure: 18.00 pm
Leave Elgin: 7.00 am

The bus will park for the day in the Alligin car park by Coire Mhic Nobuil and will depart at 5.30 pm still allowing time for a quick pub stop.

Torridon is a perennial favourite and a popular with both walkers and climbers.  With a great range of magnificent hills, the choice is endless. If we get a clear day, the views will be marvellous so don’t forget your camera!

The bus should arrive at Kinlochewe by about 9.30am giving time to climb Slioch, a “real fortress of a mountain”, a considerable day out with the reward of a pub finish.  Beinn Eighe, or parts of it, can be traversed from or to Kinlochewe depending or where you wish to end up.  Coire Mhich Fhearchair is one of the finest and most impressive corries in Scotland and well worth walking into.

The traverse of Liathach, with its 8km ridge and series of pinnacles or the sandstone ridge of Beinn Alligin over the Horns of Alligin will provide spectacular scrambling, although the difficulties are easily bypassed if need be.

There are plenty of Corbetts in the area, Beinn Damh stands in splendid isolation and Beinn Dearg to the north of Liathach will give excellent views of its prominent neighbours.

Contact Jo Chappell by email to book a place on the bus.

5-6 September 2009

After a rather soggy 36 hours in Moray, sixteen lucky MMC members headed to the arid west coast of Scotland with ambitious plans for conquering the mighty peaks and ridges under clear blue skies.  Hmm…it barely stopped raining all weekend!

On Saturday, a group headed to the indoor climbing wall at Kinlochleven. Most of the rest stayed in the hut drinking “lemonade” or went for some retail therapy in Fort William.  The forecast for Sunday looked a little more promising, but once again it rained… Time to head to Nevis Sport for some more armchair mountaineering.  Despite the dire conditions, however, the crack was good and an enjoyable, if at times frustrating, weekend was had by all.

Dan Moysey

I'll see your 20 and raise you...

Sat 3rd – Sun 4th October  2009
O.S.Map(s): 50/51/56

Ochils Hut

Accommodation: Ochils Hut, Crianlarich (Inverardran Cottage). This is the whitewashed building situated at the east end of Crianlarich, next to the Ben More Restaurant. (O. S. sheet 50, Grid Ref 392250) on the north side of the A85. The cottage has its own extensive parking area behind the building.

Address: Inverardran Cottage, Crianlarich, FK20 8RU

Cost: £8.50 pppn

Facilities: The Cottage can accommodate 18 people in two dormitories with mattresses on alpine style bunks, but you will need to bring your own sleeping bags. Separate male and female toilets – both with a shower. Fully equipped kitchen. There is also a small drying facility for wet gear. Over the past three years, the cottage has been extensively upgraded to make it perhaps the best-appointed mountaineering club hut in Scotland. Pub next door!

The Hills: Several Munros and Corbetts can be reached by walking from the cottage: Cruach Ardrain, Ben More, Stob Binnein, Ben Challum, Meall Glas, and Sgiath Chuil.
For those with transport, all of the Arrochar, Ben Lawers, Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy hills are within 30 minutes drive, with Glens Coe and Etive only marginally further.

The West Highland Way passes through Crianlarich for low level walks.  For rock climbing try Glen Coe and Glen Etive, or even The Cobbler is not too far.

To book a place on this meet, contact Dave Galloway, as Dan will be away on holiday.