Torridon, Scotland. 10-13 July 1996
The week after the 1996 annual reunion a small band of five survivors
headed for the hills 400-odd miles further north. AMLH, Axeman, Polevault, Mrs
Polevault and Socks descended on the unsuspecting residents of Inveralligin, a
hitherto sleepy hamlet on the north shore of Loch Torridon. The luxury bungalow
was equipped for six, so there was no need to toss Axeman for the best room, as
in previous years.
The early part of the
week had been too wet for serious walking, but by Thursday the dampness and low
cloud eased. Socks climbed the steep path to the summit of Leathach (3,456ft)
and walked part of its magnificent ridge. Low cloud made the exposed sections of
the Fasarinen Pinnacles a bit risky for a lone walker and discretion prevailed
— in other words he chickened out. The other four completed a long but
spectacular circuit of Leathach, including a walk into one of the stunning
corries of Ben Eighe — Coire Mhie Fhearchair. All returned safely around
6pm, in good time for much gourmet food and drink.
The after-dinner
imbibing went on and Axeman's stocks became severely depleted. Some hours
later, apparently suffering from a temporary bout of amnesia, Axeman blundered
into each of the other two bedrooms muttering that he couldn't find the toilet.
After two attempts to use Socks' rucksack as a urinal and firm exhortations to
Foxtrot Oscar, he finally used the 'outside' toilet — although there
wasn't one!
Friday saw the planned
route being tackled at last. The summit of Beinn Alligin (3,232ft) was reached
by a variety of routes — one scrambly and the other just plain steep.
Axeman chose self-pennance and returned by the same route while the others
continued over the Horns of Alligin (a delightful moderate scramble over three
pinnacles), completing a circuit to the starting point.
A thoroughly enjoyable
few days, despite the weather. The area has to be one of the best anywhere for
mountaineering at all levels with dozens of magnificent peaks. Stuart
"Socks" Leslie
Axeman adds: Those attending the meet
thoroughly enjoyed another Socks gourmet extravaganza, which included a packet
of eight thick Irish sausages.
Participants: Stuart "Socks" Leslie,
Brian "Air Malawi's Last Hope" Sayers, Ian "Mad Axeman"
Mason, Eric "Polevault" Scott, Valerie Scott.
©
WDYFO, 1996