‘Twas the weekend before Xmas and all was quiet…well, except for at Milehouse!
That said, it was a little quieter than usual, with a new strain of Covid on the loose and a re-tightening of measures, we were a few shy of filling the hut, which was a real shame as it’s among the best of them. Long overdue for a meet too, was a decent forecast and, not to rub it in, the weather was excellent. Settled, cold, hard frost overnight and unusually warm, blue-sky days. All that was missing was the snow!
Members Attending: Gerry Weir; Louise McCulloch; George Henderson; Susan Henderson; Adrian Mowat; Ania Borg; Jim Aire & Lorn Smith.
Guest(s): Malcolm Russell.
Apologies: John Calder; Raymond Evenden; Norrie Shand; James Duncan Fraser; Alyn McNaughton; Bill Dallas.
Most of those in attendance were busy on route to the meet on Friday, making the most of the conditions. George & Susan went into the Monadhliath for Geal Charn on their way North, while Louise wasn’t too far from them, on the Drumochter 2 (Carn na Caim & A ‘Bhuidheanach Beag).
The forecast was panning out as hoped (and as forecast, for once!) and Adrian & Ania, having opted for Ben MacDui, were also rewarded with crystal clear views in all directions. They and Jim & Lorn, over on Bynack More, enjoyed uninterrupted views of each other’s hill of choice, along with all the other Eastern Cairngorms.
Jim and Lorn meanwhile, had good views across to Ben MacDui from their target of Bynack More, which they’d cycled in to from Glenmore Lodge and, from high on the track, could see that inversion conditions had again set in, far out to the West.
The Barns of Bynack (where Jim couldn’t resist a wee scramble) and the Munro Top of A’Choinneach gave an extension of the day, before returning over Bynack Beag (also a Munro Top) and into Strath Nethy, towards the bikes.
A fine evening was enjoyed by all at the hut with appetites sated, literally and metaphorically. Gerry, well-rested from the previous evening, kept the tunes going and everyone entertained for several hours, in a marathon solo shift before, one by one they all trooped off to their bunks.
Sunday’s clear-up was soon upon us (the pressure was on to ensure Fraz’s high standards were maintained, in his absence!) and it was another fine day outside.
Jim and Lorn had a run up to Alvie Tower and the Duke of Gordon Memorial/Waterloo Monument before heading back down the A9 where, the road emerged from the cloud in an inversion just at the Pass of Drumochter. Louise was heading for Cairngorm and Ben MacDui (which, I think, took her tally of Munros for the year to over 100!), enjoying similar conditions to those experienced the day before.
George and Susan meanwhile, stopped off at the Uath Lochans, before heading on closer to home and another leg stretch towards Ben Vrackie from Killiecrankie (O).
Happy New Year* and see you all for the Burns Supper at Glen Clova in January 2022!
(*Somewhat belated as this is being issued months later!)
45 Degrees Mountaineering Club 
Some belting photos there – particularly like the last two. I love the Cairngorms at any time of year but particularly like them in winter…
Cows will definitely run along after you if you’re running – I run across their fields for fun just to get them to have a mad chase – you have to know when to turn and face them to stop them though or they’ll cannon into you!
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