Milton Keynes Mountaineering Club

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Tuesday
A fine blue skies day with fresh snow and hard neve on the ground. Alex and Gary went
for a long, 16 mile walk up Sgurr Eildhe Mor (1010) in the Mamores – the most easterly
Munro in the chain. Fine views across Lochaber. Peter, on the way up from Edinburgh,
climbed West Gully (I) onto Beinn an Dothaidh (1004) which was a bit shorter at 5 miles!
He also had blue skies and cold air with some very firm neve giving an exciting top out to
the climb. As our winter mountaineering instructor once said “DON’T FALL”.

Wednesday
Peter, Alex and Gary climbed Beinn Sgulaird (937) – above Creagan on the Argyll coast –
one of the few Munros in the area that Alex and Gary had not climbed. A fine, remote and
rocky route which gave some challenges and we all got our axes out. Whilst Peter and
Alex layered up in the cold Easterlies Gary wore a T-shirt and no hat most of the way up!
Peter ran down to head to Edinburgh to pick up Kathy. Alex and Gary had a bit of an epic
descent in the rain making it back to the car at 6pm after another long day.

Thursday
A bit of a dreich day – Peter and Kathy went for a low level walk above Loch Ard and
visited friends. Given the weather forecast and their aching legs Alex and Gary decided to
head home. Michelle and Alex arrived at the hut with Juan arriving late that night.

Friday
Glencoe. Peter, Alex, Michelle, James, Juan and Kathy headed up from Achnambeithach
below Stob Coire nam Beith. The group found some good steep snow from 800m and
crampons / ice axes came out. We ascended Hourglass gully (I) which was in decent
condition and atmospheric in the clag – if you didn’t mind the rain from melting ice half way up! Everyone had a great time and practised skills recently learnt. The descent proved
just as much fun as we headed down the steep North Ridge of Bidean nam Bian (1150) in
snow to Stob Coire nan Lochan (1115). James and Michelle descended Broad Gully (I)
while the rest of us yomped down the ridge of Lochan and watched them glissading the
last section while we had a break. Long descent and dinner at the Clachaig Inn.
Saturday

The “Glenmore 3” – Alan, Stacey and Jason – arrived fresh from their 5-day winter
mountaineering course at Glenmore Lodge having had a great time. Heavy rain hit the
mountains but 2 groups braved it deciding (independently) to take on School House Ridge
– a Winter and Summer grade I route – up Sgorr Dearg (1024) above Ballachulish.
Everyone got thoroughly soaked and Stacey, Alex, Michelle, James, Jason and Alan
battled their way down through the forest after deciding that the main route down was “too easy”. A route to go back to in proper winter conditions we all decided but a proper
“Scottish” day. Some went back to the Clachaig for dinner.

Sunday
Everyone decided to get an early start on travel except Peter and Kathy who decided to
take in a bit of the Eastern Mamores on a decent day before the rain came in. The tops
were out of the clag and we even got our axes out to cut steps across some unexpectedly
scary steep snow and to walk the narrow ridge to the summit of Binnein Mor (1130) :-).
Some fun route finding across Na Gruagaichean (1055) and down its S/SW ridge finished
the day. Juan also headed up to see the CIC hut which sits at 700m below the North Face
of Ben Nevis which he really enjoyed with plans to return – if he can get his boots sorted
out!

The weather didn’t completely play ball but everyone managed at least one proper winter
day and we hope to return next year.

On Friday, MK Deaf Climbing Club were kind enough to spend some time with MKMC members, teaching them some valuable communication skills. Our very own Jess Maryan helped us to put together some instructional videos with Tom, Neal and Alan as backing dancers.

Take in!

Take in alternative, not to be used around HGV’s…

Ready to climb

To get the climbers attention, tap on the rope.

Ready to lower.

Lead climbing works a little differently, the climber taps the clip to let the belayer know to give out rope.

Please check our downloads page for a copy of the Deaf Climbing Sign System.
Sign Climbing System

If you’d like to know more about MK Deaf Climbing Club, you can find them on Facebook.

This is one of our favourite huts and as always we had a brilliant time here. Seven of us were able to take a day off work and travel up early. Gill, Loz and AlanW only arrived 5 minutes after Dave, Andy, Dan and Kent but they had already started the fire and the heating was on to welcome us.

Friday 9th February

The early arrivals split into two groups. Gill, Loz and AlanW did the Gordale Scar walk: Malham Village, Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar, Malham Tarn and back to Malham Village via the Pennine Way. We extended it to take in a small dome-shaped peak up to the west of Malham Tarn, Great Close Hill, 465m. It was a short but steep detour from our route but satisfying despite the lack of any view due to clouds. On the way down towards the tarn the weather really came in and we sheltered behind a tree to grab a quick damp bite for lunch. The limestone pavement on top of Malham Cove was wet and slippery. We didn’t have much of a view from the top but it was still impressive. Back in the village, we wanted cake (obviously) and we found a lovely-looking tea shop whose door was locked! But we persisted and knocked, hoping that the ladies would take pity on the sight of our tired hungry faces. It worked and the best slice of carrot cake along with a warm cup of coffee was Gill’s reward. Alan had fruit cake and Laurence had coffee and walnut cake in case you were wondering.
Dave, Andy, Dan and Kent hiked up to the summit of Whernside from Ribblehead, walk 38 in the Yorkshire walks book, then went into the Station Pub for refreshments. Back to the hut and three of us cooked chicken fajitas, the other four had fish and chips for dinner. We enjoyed sitting by the fire as we anticipated everyone else’s arrival during the evening.

Saturday 10th February
We had a full house and lots of different ideas and plans. Jason, Stacey and Meredith hiked the Yorkshire Three Peaks anti-clockwise, starting at Ribblehead and were done in 9hrs 20 mins. Bob and Sophie also did the Three Peaks but running. They added a bit more on because it wasn’t long enough. They started in Horton, also anti-clockwise, and were hoping to
overtake the walkers. They finished in 5hrs 25 mins. Andy, Dan and Kent hiked up Pen-Y-Ghent from Helwith Bridge. Nigel, Neal and Ivona hiked up Ingleborough via Gaping Gill. Alan, Dave, Gill and Laurence also hiked up Pen-Y-Ghent from Helwith Bridge with a later start. We were surprised by fleets of land rovers all passing us on the green lanes up into the hills.

Saturday evening Nigel (assisted by sous-chef Kent) cooked chicken tikka masala for us all, it was excellent, thanks Nigel!

Sunday 11th February
AlanW, Gill and Laurence did the Ingleton Waterfalls Walk. Bob and Sophie did some bouldering at Crook Rise. Andy, Dan, Kent and Dave walked to the Norber erratics and back before leaving for home. Neal, Ivona and Nigel visited Ingleborough Cave and returned to the hut. Stacey, Jason and Meredith went to Hathersage on their way home to spend some money.

Everyone had a great weekend, lots of successes, lots of peak summits and a decent amount of cake was eaten throughout the three days we were there.

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