29 to 31 October 2011 – The Annual TGO Challengers Weekend in Fort William

I reported on this weekend at the time, here and here.  It’s the first time I’ve been able to attend, as the weekend usually clashes with a long-standing commitment – the Ramsoc weekend – so I was grateful that this year’s TGOC weekend was a week later than usual.

I was lucky to be chauffeured by Graham and Sue, and I joined Graham in climbing a couple of easy Corbetts in Glen Etive.  We made the best of the, at times inclement, weather.

In addition to the previous postings, I’ve uploaded an annotated slideshow here.  I’m surprised that there are so many photos, some of which have been provided by Graham.  I hope you enjoy them, although they weren’t taken with my new Canon G12 – it was deemed to wet to risk its baptism! 

Finally, the actual routes taken, as recorded by the Garmin Gadget, are here:

Saturday – Beinn Maol Chaluim:

Sunday – Beinn Trilleachan:

A Slideshow for Stockport Walking and Outdoor Group

Thanks go to the 40 or so people who attended last night’s slideshow in Hazel Grove.  It was great to see people from far and wide, including Dave from Hexham, one of those who came on the Turkish trip, who popped in on his way home from Leeds!?

A splendid evening.

I’ll put a Picasa slideshow on the web shortly, and index the postings from the trip.

There’s a minor intervening distraction, as Mick and Gayle turned up last night…

“We’re going on a backpack tomorrow morning, starting from Glossop.  Fancy coming?”

So I’ve packed a new bag with a new tent, both of which require review, and am heading off into the Dark Peak with M&G in a few minutes.

I’ll be in touch.

Have fun!

Sunday 30 October 2011 - Beinn Trilleachan

Last night's festivities went well. Roger Smith (standing in for his successor) announced that there are 426 entries for next year's TGO Challenge, so as the limit is 330 there will be a draw for places in early November. Good luck with that, everyone.

Dancing took place in a professional manner, accompanied by a noisy singer. So after the excellent meal Roger B and I adjourned our delicate knees to the bar area, from which we operated a Respite Centre for tired or reluctant dancers. We were aided by a valued assistant, Rod Ross, and provided succour to a variety of folk before they got dragged away by their better halves.

We needed at least the extra hour this morning, and I've been grateful for Graham's driving today. I've been a bit tired.

We headed off in the same direction as yesterday, this time to the road head. A new pier has been built there to enable the forest (250,000 tonnes of it) to be taken away by boat - much preferable to clogging up the roads.

Deer lingered beside the road, allowing us to pass within inches of them. And the daft gander of Druimachoish chased us down the road. It was still raining.

By the time (10.15) we were ready to set off along the forest edge path from Gualachulain, the sun was emerging! We enjoyed a waterproof free ascent in blinding sunshine to point 767 above the Trilleachan Slabs, from where the above picture of Graham, backed by Glen Etive was taken.

After a slither down the slabs, it was an easy stroll along the ridge to the 839 metre summit of Beinn Trilleachan. We even enjoyed some views before heading to a nearby sheltered spot for lunch. During our sojourn we were rudely interupted by splashes in our cups. The three hour break in the weather was over; waterproofs were donned for a sweaty descent in highly humid conditions. I managed to avoid further damage to a knee I jarred yesterday (I've been unable to match Graham's pace all weekend), and we were safely back at sea level by 3pm. As yesterday, we saw nobody else out walking.

It had been another excellent day out, taking full advantage of the short gap in the rain, which is lashing the hotel window as I write.

I'll add a few more pics in due course - we return home tomorrow.

Goodbye from wet and warm Fort William.