General September 2022 Activity: Montenegro, Kenya…and a Scottish island!

Montenegro’s Highest Two Mountains.

First up, 04/09, ARob took some time off during a holiday in Montenegro to climb her highest two peaks Zia Kolata 2534m and Doblo Kolata 2528m. Tokk, the guide, helped navigate some big scrambles. They had good pace and got down before a massive thunderstorm came in…'There may be a little rain in the afternoon,' said the guide! Great day out where Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania meet.

Quite a tough scramble at times.

Very old snow below the col.

That was hard in the heat.

Albania.

Kosovo.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Continuing the international theme, the next post, on 24/09, featured the ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro by FVMC members AMc & JB along with a posse of some close friends. Well done guys! AMc felt it was one of the toughest and most amazing experiences he has ever had, a sentiment no doubt shared by two previous Mount Kilimanjaro summiteers, FVMC members ARob & KH who had both visited the mountain separately in recent years.

AMc & JB followed the 6 x day Marangu Route; 4 x days up and 2 x days down. The summit night was seriously tough with a 10k climb up to Kibo camp. Head down for few hours then up for 11pm start on a night climb with head torches. They reached Gillmans point on the crater rim off Kibo around 06:30, with a further 2 x hours to reach Uhuru peak. There were a few dramas with altitude effects for some people, although JB & AMc luckily avoided them. Then back to Kibo camp, followed by 1 x hour chill then 10k back to Horombo camp.

Kibo crater rim.

Gillmans point looking over Mawenzi peak to sunrise @ 06:30hr.

…dark in the shade.

Above shows them at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru peak. JB bottom row right and AMc directly behind, along with their friends.

Heading down from Gillmans...10am'ish - what a trip!

Scrambles and Climbs on Arran

Last up for September, on 28-30/09 FVMC member BR went to Arran on a trip with Falkirk Outdoors (details of this organisation can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/falkirkoutdoors and https://www.falkirkleisureandculture.org/fit-and-active/get-outdoors/adult-activities/

Over the years he and other FVMC members have made good use of this excellent community resource that provides year-round walking, climbing and skiing tours. The guidance is excellent, providing for development and practice of a broad range of mountaineering skills. The trip to Arran, although during a risky weather forecast, didn’t disappoint with some excellent scrambling and some rock-climbing over two days of unexpectedly good weather. The group of four clients and two Falkirk Outdoors guides stayed two nights at Lochranza youth Hostel, NR 93476 50368.

Having left the ferry at Brodick, the group parked their minibus about 1.5km ESE of Am Binnein at NS 01957 42058, walking W and then onto the S slopes of Am Binnein. Above, guide MH leads the way followed by KH (pic by OS).

Start of the easy, pleasurable scrambles (pic by KH).

At the top, looking SW to the top of Goatfell, NR 99164 41530, and NW along the ridge to Mullach Buidhe, NR 99397 42740, where we headed for scrambles on it’s NW slope (pic by BR).

KH getting ready for the first of the scrambles on Mullach Buidhe (pic by OS).

Another scramble, ascending into the blue (pic by KH).

After the scrambles, time for a view of Thursday's objectives; the A’Chir Ridge, centre, and Cir Mhor, right (pic by BR).

...but there is the small matter of getting over Goatfell first (pic by MH).

On Wednesday and Thursday evening the group stayed at Lochranza YH, in it’s picturesque location.

The following day, having parked the bus 0.5km NW of the Glenrosa campsite, the group headed NW on the long approach to the A’ Chir ridge. Above is guide JJ followed by KH, heading to Cnoc Breac, NR 97312 39153 (pic by OS).

Goatfell from Cnoc Breac (pic by KH).

Further along the ridge on Beinn a' Chliabhain heading towards the A' Chir Ridge (pic by OS).

Looking N to the SE side of the A’ Chir Ridge (pic by BR).

There are numerous places on the ridge that lend themselves to the use of the ropes for descents on steep sections, as opposed to spending time searching for less risky descents. BR checks his boot soles for friction (pic by KH).

As can be seen the granite rock is well rounded, groovy and rough…with little deposits of skin (pic by OS).

OS makes short work of The Bad Step or Le Mauvais Pas depending on your preference (pic by HH).

Another section and BR waits for guide MH to get the route going (pic by HH).

With the A’ Chir Ridge behind them, a couple more climbs on Cir Mhor beckoned…but for BR they were not attractive if it meant putting on rock shoes as his feet really don’t fit such devices - so a descent from the col, NR 96798 42843, beckoned more for him, leaving the others to continue to Cir Mhor.

Above sees HH tackling a tricky section on Cubic Ridge (pic by KH).

At the top of Cir Mhor with guides JJ & MH and clients OS, HH & KH. An excellent couple of days (pic by KH).