ATMC - An Teallach Mountaineering Club

KNOYDART WEEKEND 1/3 MAY 1992

CAST: Alan & Neil Dryden, Joe Duffin, Sandy Anderson, Neil Russell, Duncan Little, Frank Coutts, Tom & Tony Mason, John MacKay, John Gilmartin, Rod & Patsy Brodie, Carol, Donald MacKenzie, Marjorie Stephen, Jim Brown.

FRIDAY 1ST MAY Most of the select band listed above gathered in Mallaig shortly before 2pm ready to set sail for Inverie. There was mild panic as 2pm approached with no sign of Tom and Tony. A few volunteers decided to check the nearest bar - without success, although they did admit to taking soup (or something?).
After holding the boat a short time we had to leave, as Para Handy was becoming impatient, and soon we were bucketing round the point into Loch Ness. Back on dry land, with the whereabouts of the bunkhouse established, the fully laden troops set off to walk the mile or so down the road. We had an exemplary display of initiative from Sandy, when he borrowed a barrow for his gear and found someone to push it for him.
On arrival at the bunkhouse, there were signs of occupation already - the missing Masons, who took the morning boat, had had a stroll up Ladhar Bheinn.
The kitchen facilities were somewhat inadequate, but the usual snoring later suggested that the bunks were acceptable.
SATURDAY 2ND MAY A split into two groups. Tom and Tony, Alan and Neil, and Neil R. took on Meall Buidhe and Luinne Bheinn: the rest, aiming for Ladhar Bheinn, by joining the ridge above Inverie, walking east towards Aonach Sgoilte, then swinging west to the summit. There was some doubt about the navigational ability of this second group when they lost their way within 100 yards of the bunkhouse, stumbling through gardens, scaling walls, etc. before finding the hill. This led Donald into seceding from the group and doing his own thing (Meall Buidhe and Luinne Bheinn) although he was so confused by the extraordinary start that he set off in the opposite direction from Meall Buidhe. Acute observation by Joe corrected this error. Should any of us be allowed out at all?
It turned out a beautiful day - clear skies and a covering of snow above 2500 feet, with good views in almost every direction. It was such a fine day that Tom, Tony, Alan, Neil D. and Neil R. went on to Ladhar Bheinn after Luinne Bheinn.
At night, the bunkhouse squad attended a soiree chez Brodie. Rod and Patsy, who had walked in from Kinlochhourn, were ensconced in more luxurious accommodation opposite our humble hut. John and Alan's singing was as enthusiastic as ever, but the Pirelli Calendar book provided a distraction for some of the backing group.
SUNDAY 3RD MAY Sunday morning started very wet - and got worse.
A severe case of masochism took Donald up Ladhar Bheinn. Some of the more intelligent folk (i.e. everyone else) voted for a day at the beach. Did I say more intelligent? Bouldering, beach combing or blundering up Ladhar Bheinn, the result was a soaking.
In the evening, Sandy introduced us to an exotic visitor, or was it Essex man? His colourful foreign expletives echoed round the bunkhouse, matched only by the home¬made mutterings from the more discriminating members in the back room, where, I mean we, had retreated to preserve our innocence or to demonstrate our intolerance. Take your pick.
MONDAY 4TH MAY At 0600, as the rain bounced off the roof, Alan struggled out of his bunk for a trek to Kinlochhourn. Patsy had decided on the cruise to Mallaig instead of a long walk out and Alan, having volunteered to accompany Rod, couldn't back out because of a little dampness in the air. The others were impressed by this selflessness - not even waking to see him off.
Later, much later, it was time for the rest of us to go. After a wet walk to the pier, the tea-room was a welcome shelter. Meanwhile, Joe was off to put his bargaining skills to the test - with great success, negotiating a price reduction for the bunkhouse on account of the kitchen imperfections.
As usual, another successful meet. Pity about the kitchen, but one minus doesn't outweigh the many plusses - especially the superb day on the tops on Saturday
Should we go back to Knoydart? Don't miss it!