Lochcarron, Scotland. 20-27 July 2002
Unfortunately for the
local residents the club revisited Lochcarron, but this time Polevault had
rented two cottages 2½ miles outside the village (well out with Masonic
belching range).
Ten methophiles
pitched up at the cottages, George and Val Wallace, Stuart and Rhoda Leslie,
Eric and Val Scott, Sue Millar, Jack Bannister and last but not least Ian and
Sadie Mason who arrived on the Wednesday. Mike and Verena Petzold pitched up at
the Rockvilla Hotel with Stephen and Pauline Ward arriving on the Tuesday.
Later in the week Gordon Craig appeared with his two siblings.
A motley crew, you may
well say, and you would be right.
The weather as always
dictates what hills would be climbed and this year was no exception. The
beginning of the week started of with brilliant weather, which saw Mike, Verena
and Stuart tackle the North Glen Shiel Ridge and as it turned out were the only
three peaks climbed in the week. The rest of the crew went for a low-level
circular walk via the Coulin Pass over to the Easan Dorcha, across the col
below Beinn Liath Mhor to Coire Lair then back to Achnasheen.
Unfortunately Midnight
Jack had stubbed his toe while having Midnight relief and was in some pain, so
much so that Val Scott put her nursing skills to the fore by applying a buddy
splint to the damaged toes. This together with a new pair of boots purchased in
Fort William gave some relief from the pain.
Monday arrived and
again the wimps went for a low-level walk. George and Stuart left to climb An
Ruadh-stac and then returned to the car by a bush-bashing route.
Tuesday most did their
own thing and on Wednesday, Polevault, Mrs Polevault and Socks decided to cycle
to Ben Dronaig Lodge to revisit a previous backpacking route of Val and Eric's,
but, as it turned out, the track was very steep in places that more walking up
and down hills was done than cycling.
Axeman, Sadie and
Stephen and Pauline Ward did the Coulin Pass walk that the rest of us had done
on Monday.
Thursday arrived with
the worst weather that we had all week, bad enough to pull the plug on the
proposed Three Peaks walk so again a low-level walk was organised which
everybody seemed to enjoy.
As the weather was bad
most decided that it was not worth staying for another day so they left on
Friday for home. This left Val and Eric Scott, Val and George Wallace, Sue
Millar and Jack Bannister holding the fort till Saturday.
A great week, and as
usual the cuisine was up to the usual standard. Eric "Polevault"
Scott
Click here
for an account of last year's meet.
©
WDYFO, 2002