Camping - Resipole
Ardgour
14-16 July 2000

Present: Jo L, Nina T, Mark L, Andy R, Verity C, Brian S, Anne M, Ruth & Simon L, Rob & Martha W

Saturday: Rob and Martha went off to Glen Finnan for a bit of ticking. The rest went up Garbh Bheinn, via the Glen (rather than the Directissima that some people do from the road straight up to the Coll!). It was a wonderful hot day with magic clear skies. Not long into the walk Mark, Andy and Ruth had stripped down to swimming togs and were 'rafting' (on bits of karrimat!) down the river. The rest of us just looked on in awe (the water was FREEZING!!!). The walk taking them to the base of the climbs they were equipped for took them over burns, and through boulders and patches of blaeberry much to Andy's taste-bud joy! After lunch Andy, Verity and Jo headed off to find the bottom of the route - Great Ridge (Diff). After a couple of hours (or so it seemed!!!) they were ready to consider climbing, there being much controversy about the best way to get to the bottom of Great Ridge without killing yourself on something much trickier! Consensus seems that Andy’s way was quite good! Brian and Anne did the same route but got to the bottom via some slippery, mossy, slimy wriggle over slabs that are not fit for human ascent…. And boy, what a thrill! Verity and Jo were accused at one point of sounding like a pair of chattering fisherwomen: Andy wouldn't believe that the chatter had actually been advice and encouragement! On making good time on the climb, Andy suggested Jo lead a pitch, which she did just as the climb leveled out for the summit …….. hhmmmmmm another time! The trio met Anne and Brian on the same summit with whom, after a photo session, they headed down to the col to meet up with Mark, Nina, Ruth & Simon. Simon and Ruth went off to explore a lesser known Severe over on the crag on the other side of the Glen from Great Ridge. There was a walk to the bottom but they reported some exciting challenges with Ruth taking on the brunt of it with a "goey" move up an exposed slab. There were about 2 pitches or so of Severe climbing involved with lots of easier climbing to reach the bottom and get off the top. Nina and Mark took on Scimitar’s first two pitches and joined these into Excaliber on the upper tier. Everyone was very happy and relaxed until, just as Mark set out on Excaliber’s ultra-ultra exposed traverse on the 2^nd pitch (there must be at least 10,000ft of air under that ledge without hand or foot holds?!), one of our neighbours on Scimitar’s 3^rd pitch took a fall with a scream loud enough to make anyone’s heartrate soar. Fortunately the fledgling flyer turned out to be unhurt and simply very badly shaken. It later transpired that a piece of rock had come off in his hand (one less handhold on this route now!). Back at the campsite it was definite midge-city. Interestingly midges seemed to be more attracted to black fleece than other colours, let that be remembered for next time!

Sunday: Beach day! As one we headed out to Ardnamurchan Peninsula, the western-most point in Scotland. Toys, toys, toys. Not to outdone by Andy, Ruth & Simon emptied their car contents onto the beach, cloth frisbees, bats and balls, snorkel, fins, mask, wetsuit, books ……. Toys R Us eat your heart out!

Nina T