ATMC - An Teallach Mountaineering Club

CRIANLARICH - OCHILS CLUB HUT 14th, 15th, 16th February '92

El Presidente,;,Willie Bain Raymond Anderson, Neil Dryden, Daddy Dryden,Neil Russell Tony Mason,Joe Duffin (NB Nae wimmin) The hut has no frills and the lack of a shower was one of the factors which led to the build up of a rich fruity atmosphere. However some of the older , less honest, members said it was nice to get back good old fashioned basic values.Tony scored a club first by walking to the hut from the station. He only stopped in two pubs en route. !
SATURDAY was one of those days when you wish you had stayed at home and decorated the living room. After a wet windy night the weather looked as if it would improve. Did it Hell! While the 3-man Sagatours Section struggled up the west flank of Ben Lui, the young fellows took a better line up Beinn a Chleibh. On top the conditions were bad. A very strong west wind ,plus the odd hail shower, plus glazed snow, plus ice, all added up to danger.The wind in our backs persuaded everybody that the best hope of getting off Ben Lui was to go over the summit and descend by the Lui-Oss bealach. The east side of Lui was like a skating rink on wheels located in a wind tunnel. Frequent white¬outs added to the agony. It was frightening. Everybody eventually got off the hill but it was a really bad day. Total losses amounted to ; 1 pair of specs (Tony), broken specks (Willie), 2hats , 1 Helly Hansen mitt, a lot of confidence.

SUNDAY Another first - everybody slept in till 09.45. The A Team went back to Oss and Dubhcraig but only Raymond - complete with crampons-got to the top of a hill as the place was still like a skating rink. The view was tremendous with The Ben in sight. The Sagatours got its youngest ever member - Old Neil. From Auchlyne they followed the West Burn towards Meall a Churain in bright sunshine through new snow. Conditions were just perfick. Time was short because of the long lie-in so the Munro was abandoned with no regrets, and the party strolled up Sgiath Chrom. This was a fine wee ridge flanked with perfect snow.The views were terrific. The descent back to Auchlyne was the sort of stuff that dreams are made on.
Archie MacPherson would have said the week-en was a game of two halves. Saturday was hideous; Sunday was the most perfect winter day you could imagine.A great week-end for taking stock , and remembering how much fun you can have from this fine group of hills - if you treat them with respect.