Log 18 Jan 2009

ARROCHAR 18 JANUARY 2009

This was intended to be a visit to Lochgoilhead, but read on.

7 turned up at the car park. Kevin, Dave and Koon in one car and Donald, Jimmy, Fraser and prospective member Grant McIntosh in the other.

Snow was falling on reaching the top of the 'Rest and Be Thankful' and the road to Lochgoilhead was ungritted and very slippery, giving concern for safe progress on the steep incline.

A decision taken to keep to the main road and so Dave, Kevin, Koon and Grant decided to climb BEINN LUIBHEAN (858m) and club stalwarts- Donald, Jimmy and Fraser opted to go in search of Conic Hill but found themselves on a pimple called CRUACH TAIRBEIRT (415m) above the village of Tarbert.

In any case we all started around 09.30 and were down by 13.30.  There had been good snow covering on top ie. 848m and not 415m but we all met up again and enjoyed the hospitality of the Arrochar Village Inn for a few beers.

Report by Kevin Murray

Post script from the 415m group

Once out of the forest on waymarked paths, the snow was deep and new enough to obscure the tracks normally used by walkers, so we pressed on northwards for a while, and found a more interesting way up a steep gully in which the snow was being melted by running water.  A number of our members have commented on the fact that two recent walks have only had photographic records of those hardy enough to do the walks when they were happily established in hostelries.    On 18 January, conditions outside were not conducive to photography due to mist, driving snow or rain, but were none the less providing enjoyable exercise.