Ling Hut
Torridon
24-26 March 2000

Present: Valerie C, Peter & Helen I, Joanna L, Mark L, Calum & Fiona M, Anne M, Graeme M, Brian S, and Nina T

This meet was notable for the prodigious number of bananas consumed. Wherever one looked, on the hill or in the hut, somebody was peeling or eating one. Gaelic lacks a word for "banana", and the sight would have astonished the indigenous folk of Ross-shire, whose staple was a handful of oatmeal. It is however a nutritious fruit, and nicely packaged for the rucsac.

The Ilieves and Macks reached the hut early, in time to enjoy a seat in the sun. Later came Anne’s carload, who had stopped at Ralia for a banana and at Dingwall for chips; closely followed by Mark, Val and La Presidenta. The ladies, mirabile dictur, formed the majority.

At 6 am a cacophony of alarm clocks shattered Saturday’s early calm. Cereal and sliced banana typified the breakfast fare, fuelling muscles that were soon to be sorely tried. Outside, it was clear and bright, with Liathach and Beinn Eighe a grand sight, though snowy only at their crests.

Mark, Val, Brian, Nina and Graeme took the path between Liathach and Beinn Eighe. Weighed down with climbing gear, including the monstrous aluminium "snow stakes" favoured by the Club’s ultramontane tendency, they stripped almost at once to shirt-sleeves in the hot sun. Having climbed the previous winter on the north side of Liathach, in various combinations, all were eager to revisit its splendid corries. Today however no ice could be discerned in the north-east corrie of Spidean a’Choire Leith, so the party continued into Coire na Caime, where Twisting Gully caught the eye. Though much thawed and therefore discontinuous, this gave a sporting 600-foot ascent to the main ridge, including a short ice pitch that Mark and then Nina led in fine style with their banana picks. A ridge walk over the main summit of Liathach completed an enjoyable outing.

Meanwhile Calum, Fiona and Jo had been afoot on the same mountain, traversing it from east to west over Spidean a’Choire Leith and Mullach nan Rathain. Conditions were awkward on the ridge, with loose snow masking the quartzite blocks underfoot. Every step was like treading on a banana skin, yet crampons were balling too much to be wearable.

Beinn Damph, which must rank among the best viewpoints in the Highlands, was Anne’s achievement for the day: a very creditable performance for someone recovering from a broken leg. Equally stoical was Helen, who overcame her fear of the celebrated Horns of Alligin and joined Peter in an east-to-west traverse of the mountain.

A convivial evening was spent in the hut, where the customary excess of food was eaten. Many thanks to the Aldie altruists, for not only carrying in a case of stout but also sharing it generously. Loosened by these libations, the conversation ranged bizarrely: vermin, defecation in swimming baths, pregnancy, the Boat Race*, animal husbandry, bananas, Colonel Glover, holidays in Cumbernauld - altogether quite an essay in free association.

Apart from the odd sharp shower, Sunday was another fine day. Anne and Helen enjoyed a coastal walk, with goldeneye ducks providing ornithological interest. Meanwhile Calum went fishing, Pete and Jo climbed Beinn Damph, and the other six traversed Beinn Alligin.

After a final cup of tea and banana, most of the party set off for Edinburgh in the early evening, shamelessly leaving Peter and Helen to tidy the hut before their own departure next morning.

Graeme M

* Dark Blues won that day by three lengths.