|
DAY MEET AT KILLIN, SUNDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2007
Despite a pretty appalling weather forecast 16 Glenmorons rendezvoused
in Killin, tempted by the possibility of some reasonable snow
conditions, not least for those whom Douglas Philp had volunteered to
give some basic training on winter skills. Douglas’s party was first
away – no route negotiations required – and comprised Janet Gaywood,
Suzanne Ullmann, Lorna Gillespie and David Foster.
The larger of the other two parties headed for Meall Ghaordaidh –
facilitated by Brian McDaid, joined by Dave Broadfoot, Phyllis Smith,
John and Elisabeth Culshaw and newcomers Simon and Bene Terryn who were
made most welcome. They encountered very little snow on their ascent
from the south and being quite speedy were first to check in at the
Bridge of Lochy bar to meet later with the others.
Meanwhile, our third party – Jim Stevenson, Henry Perfect and Chris
Everett - was descending from a local well known Graham – Shee of
Ardtalnaig on the south side of Loch Tay. Readers will instantly
recognise this hill at the 6th highest Graham at 759m/2491ft
and respectively No. 430/470 in the Scottish/UK Marilyns lists ( now
that’s a great question for the next Club quiz). There was a taste of
the day to come when they booted up to be told by a local that ‘The Shee’
was steeped in folklore. Apparently, long ago there was a resident giant
on Ben Lawers who grew increasingly irritated and annoyed by the fairies
that lived on The Shee, who made cheeky remarks to him and gestures
which can’t be revealed here. So, he decided to leap across Loch Tay and
‘left his mark’ so we were told …but didn’t take too much notice at the
time. After a very wet plod along Gleann Chilleine the route took our
party onto a flat and apparently featureless summit plateau. With misty
conditions and wet snow under foot and not thinking too much about the
terrain it then came as a big surprise to see a slight change in the
foreground. This proved to be the edge of a chasm, about 10m deep, not
unlike those in the area around The Brack. Here was the giant’s
handiwork – but no mention at all in the Graham’s book, or symbol on the
OS map – and in a really bad whiteout could easily be the scene of a
nasty accident. Who said that Graham’s are boring?
But an even more interesting day was being had by the winter training
group: unfortunately the snow was too wet for all the intended training
but ice axes were deployed and used for arrest practice. Then a
helicopter arrived – thankfully not for our group but as part of a big
rescue for 3 climbers from Durham university who were lost on Ben Lawers.
The full story gradually emerged of their predicament, as relayed to
Douglas who knew quite a few of the rescuers. Realising they would be
benighted after completing a winter climb, they bivvied for the night,
after texting a friend their position, fixed by GPS. However, having had
their only map blown away it was of limited use in getting down, so the
message asked for help. Meanwhile, on not checking into their
accommodation on Saturday night, the alarm was raised and the rescue
parties were activated….the three were found by one of the teams, near
the summit ridge, in mid afternoon, having spent 17 hours in the same
spot. Yes, one wonders what happened to the text message – well, their
friend got a big surprise when he switched his phone on in the middle of
Sunday afternoon! Fortunately, no one was hurt but the merits of having
a spare map in a party won’t be lost on that group, nor the need to text
the emergency services if lost again and not your mate who might be
sleeping off a good night out.
So, all in all a memorable day in a lovely part of the Highlands, yet
so close to Glasgow.
Henry Perfect
|
