Approximately twenty-six people turned up for this meet hoping for good weather and virtually no midges; they weren’t to be disappointed. After an initial showery day when it was still possible to climb, the clouds rolled away, and each day just got warmer and warmer!
The Campsite
We stayed at “The Sands” Campsite a few miles outside of the village. As the name suggests it sits alongside a beautiful sandy beach lined with sand dunes. The view from the camping area in good weather is truly astonishing; to your left looking out are the Torridon hills, immediately in front of you lies Skye, it’s razor-sharp outline enticing you over. To your right in the distance lie the alluring hills of Lewis and Harris. Is there a campsite in Britain with a more outstanding view? Above the dunes Meadow pipits hover, kestrel-like while swallows and wag tails abound.
The Climbing
The area has an interesting combination of quick drying crags (mostly gneiss) with short walk ins of between two and forty minutes, alongside epic mountain walk ins to places like Carnmore. This means that it is possible to climb every day, if you wish to alternate between a short then long walk in. The climbing teams did routes up to E3 in standard with mass ascents of routes such as “Buena Vista” (E2,5b) and “The Bug” (E2,5b.) The rock quality is high, offering incredible friction and good protection. Most of the walk ins are boggy, those who brought wellies made a good decision. Views from the crags are superb, orchids are to be spotted on some walk ins along with the call of the cuckoo.
Four climbers visited Carnmore, and “Balaton”, “Dragon” and “Gob” were all climbed. Special mention must go to Mark Grist and Paul Tanton who with the assistance of mountain bikes managed to get in and out in one day, climbing “Balaton” and “Dragon.” Most would opt for a rest day after such exertions, not Mark. He went mountain biking the following day. Paul, I hope you agree deserved a rest day, he is after all sixty-two.
Other Activities
For those on the Meet not wanting to climb every day there were a host of alternative activities. Kevin Stephens went kayaking. The previous day he had visited a pub on the other side of the bay and had left his woolly hat behind. Not to be daunted, he decided to get it back by paddling over and back, a round trip of 18K.
Colin Struthers was one of a few members who went fishing. Imagine our surprise when he turned up at the camp site with a two-pound fish – a first surely.
Others chose to go mountain biking. Special mention must go to Harold Walmsley who at the age of seventy two thinks that a rest day from climbing entails mountain biking 57 miles.
As the trip ended the good weather did not. As I headed home grateful for a rest day, others more intrepid than me headed off towards Pabbay, Skye and Diabeg.
George Gilmore
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