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The big meet returnsI think everyone was exited when Gill and Tomsie arranged the first 'Big Walkhighland Meet' post Covid.
With the Ratagan hostel booked for October 6-8, beds filled up fast and everyone was looking forward to meet some old and new friends.
It was obviously supposed to be glorious sunshine and lovely weather
, but the weather gods must have mixed up the dates.
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- Ratagan Hostel
The forecast had changed from rain, to heavy rain to amber rain warnings
that- by the time Friday arrived -covered the whole of Scotland. A few cancellations dropped in (we don't blame you) and through a few private chat messages, we discussed options...The " Weather window at 3am on Saturday, remember your
headtorches!" was not met with much enthusiasm, but our spirits were still high!
In the days heading up to the meet, we shared hundreds of weather forecasts ...as you know- hope always dies last!
The day of the meet arrived and with the hostel opening at 4pm, the hardy bunch arrived. Thick clouds covered GlenShiel and just in time the rain started.
With the room allocation completed, everyone settled in the dining and kitchen area. Dinner was cooked and the first of many bottles and cans cracked open...no changes here
The number one question that night was ...who was doing what tomorrow. From low level walks, a drive to Applecross and a few hill option we had the area covered.
What followed was a great first night. the drinks were flowing and for the first time, I think ever, it was decided that the big quiz would happen on Friday.
Kerrie and Rob had volunteered to do the Quiz and the gang was arranged into 5 groups. A number of rounds of questions followed, loads of laughter and more drinks until we finally had our winner and looser teams presented.
The last few hardy souls went into bed at 4am and morning soon followed.
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- The Quizmasters
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- The winners
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- And looser or (winners of the wooden spoon)
Heavy rain drummed onto the windows and made Saturday morning into a slow morning. Endless cups of coffee were consumed and out of the window the visibility- well- could have been better. But most of us set off regardless eventually!
Kev and myself had optioned to give A' Ghlas-Bheinn a go. Having managed to miss the group who went up to the absolutely spectacular Falls of Glomach (specially with the rain we had) we set off our self's. We set off the tarmacked road before we entered the well maintained path.
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- No point of not having fun on the way
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- Track ahead
The water on the hills and every single angled surface was spectacular. Only a few times in my life I have seen rivers in spate and we stopped numerous times in wonder. The amount of water was incredibly! On a plus side, even though it was raining, it was not too heavy and we managed to stay in good spirits.
Further up, mist covered the hills and the lonely roars of stags echoed over the hillside. It was quite spectacular. A good 1.5 hours into our walk the path started to climb more steeply and the inside of our waterproofs turned into a Sauna. Looking up I was surprised to see a lonely walker coming down the hill. 'He must have left early' I thought before we stopped and told us that the burn further up was impassible. More people turned up and confirmed that the wee burn had turned into a raging torrent
Since it was pointless to carry on , Kev and myself decided to head to the waterfall like the first group...we were wet anyway!
Returning the way we just came, we continued until we came to the crossing which led us to the track to the falls. We
prodded on, until we reached the wee bridge, from which the track splits and climbs up the hill side. Just before the track I had spotted another track which I guessed would climb up the western shoulder of A' Ghlas-Bheinn.
Looking up, Kev said ...do you want to give it a go?
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- Loved the old house
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- A lot of water
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- The start of the walk up
Checking my map I collected the details...we were at 200m and would take around 2.5 km and nearly 800 vertical meter to reach the summit...how hard can it be?
Ok lets give it a go!
We took the track that I spotted, which was short lived. A faint path appeared from time to time, but mainly it was an endless slog through saturated hill side. It was a slow climb, but we were rewarded with the endless roar of stags, low dramatic clouds and so far a period of no to a wee drizzle of rain.
The first 300 meters were the worst and once we reached the 500 meter mark the hill side was less steep and we managed to trot on a bit faster. Unfortunately it was also the time the rain returned. With our hoods pulled deep into our faces, we battled on . To make things worse the wind had picked up too and ice cold water battered our faces.
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- Looking back
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- Roaring stag
I was glad when we reached the filial 200h climb, as the hill now protected us from the worst wind.
We had stopped talking , both in our own thoughts, battering the elements until we reached one of the many ridges which were fully exposed to the wind and rain. Lets say I had better hill days!
At the end it was a race to the summit, take a quick photo, feeling relieved that we managed it and then retraced our steps.
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- The summit
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- We made it
With the wind behind us, the first part of the down walk path, was rather pleasant. This unfortunately stopped when we reached the 500m mark and the hill side turned (what felt like) vertical. Sliding and falling numerous times we made the endless way down. Thick dark clouds started to cover the sky and it turned rather gloomy.
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- Back at the bridge, rather soaking wet
By the time we reached the bridge (oh happy days) it was 5pm. We were starving, as minus a biscuit nether of us had any lunch. Sitting on the ridge in the pouring rain, I took my gloves off and had to wring them out. before I could get anything out of my backpack.
We stuffed our faces as fast as we could and then continued the soaking wet path back to the car.
Back at the hostel the drying room was looking like an outdoor store and smelled like...well imagine 20 pairs of smelly boots in a warm room and you get the idea.
Once showered and dried we joined the others and the second night was a cozy sit together watching the Rugby, followed by a price give away organized by Gill and Tomsie
an more drinks to celebrate on of the wettest
Walkighland meets to day!
The weather might have been rubbish, but spirits were high and it was great to meet old friends and meet some newcomers.
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- The gang
Huge THANKS to Gill and Thomsie for organizing the meet.
It was fantastic and you really looked after all of us.
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- Our Organizers (with Luna)
