Loch Ness YH        21-23 January 2005

A special opening of Loch Ness YH provided a great base for a large variety of hills this weekend and with such brilliant weather, everybody made the most of the conditions.  Club members were wide-ranging, covering many of the Munros, Corbetts, Grahams and Marilyns in areas all around the Lochs Affric, Cluanie, Garry, Ness and Lochy.  Saturday was especially lovely, with Alpine conditions prevailing - snow down to 300m, blue sky, sunshine, no wind and fantastic views everywhere.

The hostel was also an excellent choice for our Burns' Supper although it did let us down with the somewhat variable showers (in some cases no water at all!).  On Saturday evening all preparations came to fruition as food and drink were consumed enthusiastically and memorable performances were put up in the Burns' tradition.

Selkirk Grace - Dave Webster

Address to the Haggis - Fred Craddock

Immortal Memory - Gordon Dykes

Toast to the Lassies - Tim Mason

Reply to Toast to the Lassies - Chris Huxham

There was a slight hitch as Garrey had ALSO been asked to address the haggis and NO-ONE had been detailed to 'do' the Immortal Memory!  However Gordon gallantly stepped into the breach and after only a very short preparation time, produced an excellent few minutes of Immortal Memory repartee.  After this, Tim gave a rendition of 'Tae a Souse' followed by his now famous toast to the 'Glenmore girrls who rule the hills'.  In an epic finale lasting - quite a long time - Chris made her reply, describing a huge expedition up the Matterhorn undertaken by the 'Laddies'.   They all seemed to have been there----

'There were Iains and Jims

There was Colin and Tim

There were Alans and Rogers and Johns

There was Chris, there was Gordon

And Daves in profusion

There was Harrold and Henry and Hugh

There was Bruce, there was Brian

Keith, Graham and Stephen

There was Francis and Malcolm too

There was Bill and Ken and Alistairs three

There was Denis and Robert and Garrey

And of course out ahead there was Arthur and Fred 

At the back were McI and McP-------

------while, of course, the 'Lassies' were just passing their time climbing K2!

We must thank all those who contributed to such a great weekend and party night but our hearts went out to Garrey who agreed to overlook the 'haggis mistake' and to Jim Smith who baked the lovely lemon meringue pie and then was 'no weel' and missed the whole occasion.

Hills climbed over the weekend included Saileag, Sgurr a'Bhealaich Dheirg, Sgurr Fhuaran, Meall Fuar Mhonaidh,  Creag Coire Doe, Gairich, Tom a'Choinnich, Carn na Saobhaidhe, Meall na h-Eilde, Geal Charn, Am Bathach, Ciste Dubh, Carn a'Choire Ghairbh, Meall Dubh, Carn a' Chuillin, Burach, Glas Bheinn Mhor, Carn Mhic an Toisich, Aonach Shasuinn, Beinn a Bhacaidh, Ben Bhan, Meall nan Teanga, Gleouraich, Spidian Mialich.  Attendance - 47.