Present: John Evans, Dave Lygate, Dave Whittingham, James Richardson, Ian Crook, Al Metelko.

It always amazes me how the weather is far from ideal on Scottish weekends. The hut was chosen because of the proximity of Beinn Udlaidh (840m) but with the snowline at around 1000m it looked like it was going to be a Munro bagging weekend.

Saturday: started dry and cloudy, Dave Lygate was the most enthusiastic and persuaded John, Dave and myself to do a South/North traverse of Clach Leathad and Meall a Bhuiridh, starting at Victoria Bridge taking in Stob Ghabhar via the Aonach Eagach. The relatively late start (11am) would ensure that we would finish in the dark. Ian and James decided to have a shorter day and check out the climbing on Ben Dothaidh. This allowed the walkers to have a car parked at either end.

The walk started with milky sun shine but the day became progressively wetter and windier. Summating on a cloudy Stob Ghabhar Dave W. was considering returning to Victoria Bridge to be reunited with his car, warmth and a pub but we persuaded him to continue as we told him we had done most of the climbing and he might as well carry on, I don't think any of us wanted to go back at this point. Compasses where required to find the Bealach Fuar-chathaidh which would take us to the summit slopes of Clach Leathad! We descended and descended and we eventually came out of the clag and saw that we would be descending some more. When we crossed the Bealach Dave W. was quite some way behind and not looking his best. But we had passed the point of no return and after a long slog, Clach Leathad was conquered in the dark with moon light defusing through thick cloud but the rain seemed to have stopped.

The next difficulty was to find the ridge leading up to the final Munro so Dave L. and myself moved on ahead to locate it as Dave had done it before. After regrouping and readying axes we started the ridge the wind increasing all the time. At the low point we where in full storm conditions. Looking back I could see three head torches, but this was not a place to stop and regroup I continued. Further up the ridge the storm had increased a few more notches my hands started to freeze in my wet gloves and I was wondering if the next gust was going to blow me off my feet. The Summit of Meall a Bhuiridh was slightly less windy but here I had to wait and there was nowhere to shelter. Dave L. eventually arrived soon followed by John I must have looked cold as Dave L suggested I continue to the ski lifts, but I felt I had to wait for Dave W. After what felt a long long time he arrived exhausted and very angry (he also had an ice axe) at having been left behind but I knew at this point we where all going to get down and as I was colder then I had ever been quickly headed for the top of the ski lifts. A final regroup and the way down now obvious, 8:30pm saw us all off the hill.

Sunday: started dry and cloudy as one of the first up I had little enthusiasm but once again Dave Lygate suggested a short day on Ben Dothaidh and Beinn Dorain and we were joined by Ian and James, the day turned out to be quite sunny but not on the summits. John and Dave choose to have a quite day at hut wielding a blunt axe chopping what ever they could lay their hands on. And they did just about managed to get the temperature of the hut to above that of the outside.

For the first Scottish meet of the winter we have an exciting new venue, McDougall's cottage near the Bridge of Orchy. The nearest winter/ice climbing is Beinn Udlaidh and the cottage sits below Beinn Dorain and a marvellous circ of 6 Munro's, most above 1000m, for the winter walkers. Combined with the shorter drive from the south and the close proximity of Glencoe and Lochaber should make this a very popular meet.

The cottage (GR 312 373) half way between Bridge of Orchy and Auch, and has gas lighting and cooking, and accommodates 12 people. There is parking for a maximum of three cars, there are no mattresses, and we have to bring our own fuel for heating. See me in the pub on Thursday's, £7 ensures a place.

All places have now been taken but please do contact me if you wish to go on to the reserve list.