75th Anniversary Meet Reports
We had 45 club members and former members on the hill in the Cairngorms to celebrate the club’s 75th Anniversary. Seven groups took to the tops, climbed above Loch A’an and a group of mainly former members (including nonagenarian) went to Ryvoan Bothy. Here are their reports.
Ryvoan Bothy
Our party totalled fifteen, fourteen IMC members past and present plus one other. Nine mustered In Glenmore caravan site at 1045hrs and linked up with another three at the Visitors Centre to determine our routes.
The four who chose the Primrose Path were rewarded with enjoyable company and a display of lovely spring flowers, including primroses. Six, including a nonagenarian, walked with hilarity and great chats to Lochan Uaine. Meanwhile, three former members including another nonagenarian, drove by Land Rover to Ryvoan Bothy. Permission had been sought and granted by RSPB & Forestry to use the road. Two of the six were scooped up at Lochan Uaine and driven in the Land Rover to Ryvoan Bothy. A very shoogly but fun journey.
In glorious weather we sat, ate, reminisced and enjoyed the company of old hill-walking friends and climbing partners. Two former members opted to stay and enjoy walking on the beach at Loch Morlich. They furnished the rest of us with delicious homemade Easter Buns on our return, and refreshments were offered.
As Wallace & Gromit would say, “A Grand Day Out”
Words: Helen Ross
Ord Ban from Loch an Eilein
Marion and I were joined by Gina O'Brien for an ascent of Ord Ban (428m) from Loch an Eilein - a very modest hill, but with grand views in all directions. We then walked partway round the loch before heading to the FLS Glenmore Visitor Centre Cafe, where we briefly met the ladies of the Meall a Buchaille team and Moss, and enjoyed tea in the sun with the Barron family and Bran, part of the group which had been to Ryvoan bothy.
Words: Peter
Ben Macdui
David, Cal, John and Jan set off from the ski station along Miadan creag, Leth-choin ridge onto Ben Macdui. The group dropped down a short distance to see the plane wreckage and memorial Cal had told us about. After continuing to the summit path, we dropped down to Lochan Buidhe then up to Cairn Lochan summit before making our way back to the carpark.
The wonderful weather made for enjoyable stops to explore, chat, snack and take photos. A great day out to celebrate the 75th anniversary.
Words: Jan
Carn Etchachan
Martyn, Stela, Martin, Mel, John, Charlotte and Lucas met in the car par at Coire Cas. The weather was glorious, not a cloud insight and after apply sunscreen we set of for Coire an t-Sneachda and the Goat Track to take us on to the plateau. The Cairngorm Reindeer herds were being herded across the lower slopes. The Coire was silent with remnants of the winter snows. The group made its way out of the coire avoiding the odd icy patch.
On the plateau the group walked to Lochan Buidhe and then aimed for Carn Etchachan. Some snow patches remained and on one of them some of the group enjoyed a toboggan without a sledge. The views form the top did not disappoint, Loch A’an and the surrounding hills were all looking good. We could just make out the climbers from the club on the crags above the Loch.
It was then decided to tag on Ben Macdui. Again, the views were excellent. Along the route we spotted a Peregrine, Snowbunting, Ptarmigan and the Reindeer. Not bad for a day out.
Words: Martyn, Photos: Martyn and Charlotte.
Meall a' Bhuachaille
Four of us opted for the well-loved slopes of Meall a' Bhuachaille, and enjoyed a fabulous walk over the first two tops, with a short detour to inspect the bothy at Ryvoan. The views of the Cairngorms were stunning and very snow-free, and we are sure we could spot Creag Meagaidh and possibly Ben Nevis in the distance. The top was pleasantly uncrowded and we spent some time basking in the sunshine before descending to the new and highly recommended Café at the Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust’s visitor centre in Glenmore where we chanced to meet other Club members doing the Ryvoan walk.
Words: Hazel
Cairngorm
Nine of us decided to mark the 75th anniversary of the IMC by re-staging what we guess was the first official meet of the club back in April 1950; an ascent of Cairngorm. But not for us the convenience of the ski road up to a car park at over 2000 feet – it wasn’t there in 1950. We opted for the classic ascent from the Hayfield at Glenmore, which is nearer 1000 feet above sea level.
We followed the excellent path up to Utsi’s bridge. Mikel Utsi was the Sami man who brought his reindeer across from Northern Sweden in 195 – only 2 years after the IMC was founded - and supposedly used the packing cases to build his hut where he lived when he looked after his reindeer. The hut is about a mile west of the bridge, which is close to the Sugarbowl car park.
Turning uphill we crossed the ski road and went up Windy Ridge, which for once did not live up to its name; the weather was warm and still until we got near the top of Cairngorm. We compromised our classic ascent by visiting the Ptarmigan Cafe, marvelling at the hordes coming off the recently mended funicular every few minutes to grab a coffee and indulge in some retail therapy. We reassured ourselves that the hardy climbers of 1950 would certainly have had a coffee if available, and so did likewise.
Pausing for a while to sunbathe near the top of the mountain, we descended past Marquis’ well and Cnap Coire na Spreidhe, visiting the remains of the El Alamein refuge on our way down. It wouldn’t provide much refuge these days. Our route down was past the Coire na Ciste car park and onto the well marked (on the map) path to Glenmore. We did similarly on a previous anniversary, but the path is not much used these days, and non-existent in its lower reaches. A flog through the forest led to salvation in the form of the track to the Allt Mor car park and thence our starting point.
Participants: Irene, Daniel, Robin, Mairi, Arthur, Richard, Sharan, Shona and Ewen
Words: Ewen Photos: Irene and Shona
Auld Nick, Afterthought Arete & Final Selection
Fifteen minutes of faff and we were off, lugging our packs up to 1141, both loving and suffering under the powerful spring sunbeams. Then across the plateau we went, skipping over boulders and dropping down towards Stag Rocks.
Fiona and Mike peeled off right for Auld Nick (HS); the rest of us swung left towards the start of Afterthought Arete (Mod), with Wendell taking the smart route. Stuart, Andrew and Chris moved swiftly ahead up the Arete, then abseiled into the gully on the right to take on Final Selection (Diff), Stuart speed-climbing to escape the chilly shade. Wendell and Emma took the Arete at a more relaxed pace, soaking in the views and playing "spot the turquoise dot" (Fiona on Auld Nick).
Climbing done, we happily regrouped for a walk-chat back down in the golden late afternoon sun. Later, at the Anniversary Dinner, it was brilliant to hear tales of climbing exploits from club members in years gone by. Thanks to the efforts of Stuart and Martyn over the past couple of years, fantastic climbing days like this are back at IMC. Here’s to many more.
Words: Emma
