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.
The 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