Rannoch Mountaineering Club 

www.climbrannoch.co.uk

Summit Fever (By Dr M-Point-McInnes, 1/3/04)

Starring in this weekends escapades were the A-team minus one, the B-team minus two and one Rannoch non member (RNM). Did the usual car swap thing and arrived in good time at Mamore Lodge car-park. The starting line was set up, the pistol fired and we were off, everyone jostling for first place, for the perfect line which would nip a few seconds off the day, conversation was minimal, heads were down, sweat was pouring freely. RNM slipped quickly into an early lead, closely followed by the B-team, the A-team dropped back going for stamina and perseverance rather than speed, the hotel dog was non competitive and showed concern but kept on going. In this manner the lochan at Sgurr Eilde Mor was reached quickly.

The A-team taking up the rear had a short conversation with three ramblers:

"Are you with that dog"

"No I'm not with that dog, I'm with 2 men, the dog is just looking after me"

"Oh is that those two who went running passed?"

What could I say? The running two could be sighted on the lower reaches of S. Eilde Mor. I deviated to left and headed for B. Beag as this was game plan and S. Eilde Mor was already ticked. Plodded up on my own at a civilised pace. Bliss. Time to admire the scenery (stunning) and weather (alpine) and enjoy being out in front.

Met up with Rambling 3 later:

"Did you say those two men were supposed to be looking after you?" said with concern in case I hadn't noticed that our paths had diverged.

Once I stopped laughing hysterically was able to enlighten them on the finer points of Rannoch Etiquette. 

Top of B Beg was reached with A team in first place. Peaceful. Lunch was eaten quietly, the Ramblers chatted, birds sang.  Then Colin arrived. "He looks wasted" said the Ramblers (out of earshot). Colin's choice phrase "Sweating like a *****" (you fill in the blanks) immediately lowered the tone to Rannoch levels! Well done, maximum points. The Ramblers scrambled off the hill by the steepest, quickest descent possible. Don't blame them. Never saw them again.

We set of for B Mor. Steep drop down and steep rise up. Crampons on for ascent (sorry Shaz). Choose the least alarming North West ridge which was very enjoyable. Two ticks now back down to the car? No, lets just nip over Na Gruagaichean? Seemed the obvious way, and another tick. Decent down to road was seriously, killer, steep (Colin's choice) and just as the road was visible the path was bisected by a 12 foot deer fence, no gate, no style, no wire cutters. No choice but to climb it (good job Shaz wasn't there).  Arrived back at the car in a much worse state than when we started.  But drinks in the mamore lodge bar soon revived hopes of walking again. An excellent day and the scores are as follows:

A-team - first on top of planned m-point - 10 points; style - 10 points; socialising on hill - 10 points (Total 30)

B-team - second on top of unplanned m-point - 5 points; second on top of planned m-point - 5 points; sticking firmly to Rannoch etiquette protocols - 15 points. (Total 20)

RNM - first on top of unplanned m-point - 5 points; use of vapour barrier bags - 0 points; hire of map and compass - 5 points, charging for hire of map and compass - 0 points (Total 10 points)