January 2018 Weekend Meet: Rucksacks Bunkhouse, Braemar

A meagre meet in terms of numbers attending with just six members taking advantage of the excellent Rucksacks Bunkhouse in Braemar. The weather forecast was not encouraging but we played it safe and did not go too high which was just as well with 100mph winds recorded just down the road at The Cairnwell!

One member did some cross country ski-ing around the Cairn an Tuirc area on Friday.

Four members climbed Carn na Drochaide from Keiloch on the Saturday and were almost reduced to crawling the last few metres to the summit cairn because of the force of the wind.

Two others went east into rural Aberdeenshire and strolled up Pressendye in mild sunny conditions (at least until out of the trees). Breezy on the top but nothing like further west.

Sunday four members climbed Duchray Hill (also known as Meall na Leitir) in Glenshee. Wee bit cloudy but otherwise very nice (apart from the swamp in the field between the road and the start of the hill).

Ever tried climbing a barbed wire fence whilst your feet are sinking into a pile of mush below you then trying to balance yourself on nothing and take a six foot leap across at ditch all at the same time?

Two others climbed Morrone/Morven above Braemar.

An enjoyable and none to strenuous weekend with some good banter in the hut and a wee whisky tasting session. Four folk and three miniatures of Talisker disnae go far!

Report: Allan Scott