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MULANJE EXPATRIATES THREEPEAKS SOCIETY

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Arran, Scotland. 24-26 June 1998

The base for operations was the Douglas Hotel in Brodick.

The Three Peaks Walk was to be a traverse of the main central ridge on Arran climbing Beinn Nuis (792m), Beinn Tarsuinn (826m) and Cir Mhor (799m) with the option for the stronger walkers to carry on and climb Caisteal Abhail (847m), then down Glen Sannox to Sannox and the pub.

A bus had been hired to transport the oldies to the start of the climb in Glen Rosa, this saved at least an hour's walking on tarmac roads (no potholes).

So after breakfast the 20 hardy souls climbed aboard the bus for the short journey to Glen Rosa and the start of the walk and an eventful day. The first peak was reached in approximately 2½ hours but unfortunately we lost the first two members of the party when the Grand Old Duke of York (with the Duchess) up to his old tricks, graciously retired and turned back. The hardest work of the day was over and we continued north along the ridge to the summit of Beinn Tarsuinn where a scrappy lunch was taken before continuing. The weather, taking into account what we had been experiencing, was not too bad with some good views of the surrounding peaks. After lunch the party continued down the steep and craggy ground where the path twisted and turned between the crags and boulders down to the Bealach an Fhir-bhogha (the pass of the bowmen). Just beyond the pass the path divides and the party took the lower path which traverses north below the west side of the A'Chir ridge to gain the col between the end of the ridge and Cir Mhor. The higher path, which we avoided as this would have involved some scrambling and some rock climbing, leads along the ridge to the summit of A'Chir.

Another well reconnoitered routeThe summit of Cir Mhor was reached and the fitter members continued up the Hunters Ridge to climb Caisteal Abhail with the wimps descending to the saddle off Cir Mhor. The steep descent was a bit of a surprise with some tricky scrambling — a brown underpants job as one member put it.

We all arrived safely at the beginning of the rather boggy path down Glen Sannox to the pub. It was only when we reached Sannox that we discovered that Anne Killick had fallen and badly sprained her wrist but in true Meths spirit said 'tis but a scratch I'll have a pint'.

After a few quaffs of ale in the pub the bus arrived to take us back to Brodick.

The day of the AGM arrived and with the target of the day — Goat Fell (2,866ft, Hill of Wind) — shrouded in mist and with the threat of rain we boarded the public bus to take us to Corrie for the start of the climb. On the ascent it started to rain heavily but it soon cleared but unfortunately the mist stayed on the tops restricting the views. Once off the summit, however, it was sunny and warm and on the easy descent fine views over Brodick and the Holy Island was enjoyed by the party.

The AGM dinner in the evening was enjoyed, I hope, by the members and it was at the dinner that Polevault presented Mike and Ian a bottle each of Old Fart in recognition of them being cantankerous old boozers. The prize for the limerick competition was also announced (a bottle of Dog's Bollocks). This was won by Socks who unfortunately had not been well the previous day and had to travel home on the Friday morning. The close runner-up was Maisie Petzold and she was presented with a bottle of Dog's Bollocks much to her embarrassment.

Participants: Eric "Polevault" Scott (leader), Valerie Scott, Mike "Mad" Petzold, Verena "Muesli" Petzold, Christina Petzold, Katja Petzold, Maisie "Poet Laureate" Petzold, Guy "Prat of Marden" Harrison, Stuart "Socks" Leslie, Rhoda "Cordon Bleu" Leslie, Christopher "El Puerco" Leslie, Stuart "Lighting" Halliday, Mike "Harpic" Mossford, John "Koenig Von Mulanje" Killick, Anne Killick, Bruce "Legs" Martin, Jan "Grand Old Duke of York" Frøseth, Helga "Duchess of York" Aulie, Ian "Axeman" Mason, Sadie Mason, Robert Mason, Samantha Clutten, Patrick Nixon, Stephen Kells

Prick of the meet: Robert Mason for watching England playing in the World Cup instead of attending the AGM.

Map: OS Outdoor Leisure 37.

Ayrshire & Isle of Arran website: www.ayrshire-arran.com


© WDYFO, 1998