Scottish Winter Meet - Ochils MC Hut Crianlarich

Five members attended the meet: Pete and Laura, Mike D and David A arriving on Sunday evening and Mick B the following day.

Monday was true to the forecast with strong winds, and squalls of rain, hail and sleet making all but low-level walks impossible.

Mike and David decided to go in search of crossbills in the woods around Dalrigh below Beinn Dubhcraig. The summit could be seen, apparently temptingly close, between showers but the birds were more sensible than to be caught out in this weather and Mike and David returned to the hut without a glimpse.

Pete and Laura also walked in the shelter of woods but in those closer to Crianlarich.

Tuesday was a better day and Pete and Laura went to Bein Chabhair with more success than the last Crianlarich meet when they were beaten back by deep snow and the short day.

Meanwhile, Mike and David went down the road to Meall Glas, walking in much better conditions than 18 months ago when they climbed the other summit of the pair, Sgiath Chull.

Mick went off to Beinn Dubhcraig by a novel route, following the River Connonish before striking south through ‘horrendous bog’, as he described it, to the summit.

Tuesday night we were joined by ‘’John, John and Paul (no George or Ringo)’’ from Liverpool. They proved to be interesting company for Mick the following afternoon, who had decided to spend the day in the hut.

Wednesday, Mike and David decided to test Mick’s description of Beinn Dubhcraig but took a more conservative approach along the path beside the Allt Coire Dubhcraig. After Monday’s birding disappointment, today they were to be rewarded by the sight of a snow bunting on the final ridge up to the summit. After about 10 minutes on the summit, the return journey down the ridge proved quite difficult as a gentle wind had suddenly risen to gale force, making it difficult to stay on their feet.

Also today, Pete and Laura tackled the most ambitious route of the meet, driving round to Glen Lyon to complete three of the four Munroes in the horseshoe, having skied up Carn Gorm on previous trip. The descent from Creag Mhor was by compass bearing in thick cloud.

Thursday, the final day of the meet, was the best day weather-wise, with clear blue skies and no wind. Mick B climbed An Caisteal from the hut while the rest of the party went to Loch an Daimh, at the western end of Glen Lyon, to climb Stuchd an Lochan.

The car parking is already at 400m so this was supposed to be an easy day, especially for a couple of members who were feeling a bit off colour. However, once the top of the ridge had been achieved and the first top of Creag an Fheadain reached, it became obvious that the summit was still a long way off with another small top in between.

Having reached the summit cairn however, the views to the Ben, the Grey Corries, and beyond to the Cairngorms were well worth the effort, and as Mike and David were sitting out of the wind, some wisps of cloud floated around providing enough cover for a Brocken Spectre. A glorious end to a great week.

Thanks to Mike for arranging the meet and to all for their company including John, John, Paul (no George or Ringo.)