Chalamain Gap and Creag’ a Chalamain; and Stac na h-Iolaire
Chalamain Gap and Creag’ a Chalamain
Sunday 3rd September was forecast to be blowy – gusts up to 70 mph. And on the West, very wet. The group pondered our intended choice of the Black Carls on Beinn Eighe, and then a second choice of the Fiachall Ridge in the Cairngorms but swiftly came to the conclusion that discretion should be the better part of valour.
11 of us set out for the Chalamain Gap for a low level play about on the wee craglets and boulder fields of the Gap itself. People chose a range of lines on the craglets to suit their level of experience and confidence, scrambling up and down under hot sun and a blue sky, with a good gusty breeze to provide an element of verisimilitude. We welcomed 2 prospective members and 3 guests in the party. We had an excellent and sociable time, with everyone gaining confidence as the day went on. To finish we walked out by Creag’ a Chalamain and Castle Hill to get the obligatory Cairn pictures, then on to Lochan Dubh a’ Chada where most people cooled their feet and a few of us decided to brave the sun-warmed water for a cooling dip.
Taking part: Hazel, Martyn, Matt, Mira, Stela, Andrew, prospective members Chris and Shona and guests Dan, Liz and Joanna.
Words and photos: Hazel
Stac na h-Iolaire
A team of six changed plans to climb Macdui when they heard a forecast of 70 mph gusts on the Cairngorm plateau. They left cars at the Coire na Ciste car park, now largely transformed into a much needed motorhome site, and headed for Stac na h-Iolaire (742m) which lies near the north end of the ridge bordering Strath Nethy. A good track leads past Loch na Beinne towards one of many glacial meltwater channels, where a leisurely lunch was enjoyed in the sunshine and out of the wind. They continued up to the top for a windier break, and descended over rough ground to the track leading easily back to the loch. On finding a sheltered spot Ewen enjoyed a swim, then all returned by the same route back to the car park. A good day out to a hill where none of them had been before, rounded off by a coffee and cake in Tiso's at Aviemore.
Participants: Michael, Joanne, Helen, John, May and Ewen. Words and photos: Ewen and May
