Orion M.C.

Fraser, Gordy and myself had arranged to meet Martine, Jen and Iain in the Clachaig. They were climbing in Glen Coe but I’m sure that they’ll post details about that. We were rather late arriving at the pub but they were even later…about 2.5 hours late It was no problem though as it gave Gordy and I a chance to have a few beers although Fraser who was driving was plainly miserable at having to abstain.

Anyway, the forecast was not good and the weather was starting to come in, so our enthusiasm for a high camp dampened and we decided it would be better to go to a bothy. So off we headed for Glensulaig where we had very late, sociable night in front of a roaring fire, while the rain and wind outside justified our decision to bin the camping idea.

The weather in the morning was not much better but we still managed up the Corbett behind the bothy, Meall a’Phubuill, before walking back out just in time for the weather to start improving.

It was not exactly as planned but still a good wee trip

Summer Solstice: Sacrifice of the Quivering Bothy Virgins

Jen, Iain and I took advantage of the wee window of good weather on Saturday to head up to the east face of Aonach Dubh and do some climbs. Heavy traffic up the road meant we didn’t start on the Lower part of The Bow until 1pm. The upper part of The Bow was more like a gutter, with water pouring down, so Iain headed up Quiver Rib instead. I thought this was a bit more diff than a Diff, as there was not a whole load of protection, although plenty for hands & feet. Being in a three, we had lots of time for discussions about setting up anchors, and I got to practice setting up an anchor to keep me from flying up the wall when belaying.

I did rather miss a nice cup of tea in the Clachaig post-climb, but Scott made up for it later in the bothy by doing us a nice brew. Plenty of food and drink meant the bothy virgins Jen and Iain were not ritually sacrificed, and Jen’s ability to make cigarettes out of newspaper show a skill which I’m sure will be much valued on future Orion trips.


The east face of Aonach Dubh. The Bow can be seen to the left, a dark curving feature.


Jen gets some assistance from Iain, to tie on the third rope.


Spot the climber (it's Jen - and Iain somewhere above her)! Looking from the Terrace, up Quiver Rib.


Near the top, at the end of the 50m pitch. In case you were wondering, I was also wearing a white Petzl helmet, making us 'Team Petzl' for the day.

It was a good unplanned trip away!

Gordy and I managed to get out on the mountain bikes on Saturday morning before picking up Scott. We did a local run around Mugdock which was 36km. A eventful journey where at one point we were waist deep in heather for a fair amount of time whilst I was trying to find one of my old routes. We got so lost we ended up in someones garden for a short duration.

All in all it was a good weekend but I'm rather tired today with very sore feet. Think I will need to buy myself a pair of summer boots so that I don't have to wear my heavy winter boots in hot weather.

Below are some photos from the weekend.

Martine, how did your Aonach Dubh photos turn out…they looked ok on the wee screen on your camera. Thought you might post a couple?

Judy eyes up Iain’s dinner



The gang in front of the bothy fire



Fraser, Judy, Martine and Jen outside the bothy.

My pics turned out ok Scott, as you can now see. Nice bothy pics, I like Judy's laser-beam stare. And you forgot to caption the photo outside the bothy, Fraser was giving us his best, "So ladies, do you come here often?" line. Classic!

Martine, I could be wrong as I don't have the guide book beside me and it was ages ago that I did it, but is Quiver Rib not vdiff If so that would explain why you thought it hard for diff. Anyone

Hmmm, my memory is obviously not as good as it once was...I've just googled Quiver Rib and it is inded graded diff. My mistake

Quiver Rib: that takes me back. My first ever lead A great route I remember, in a great location.

Maybe one day I'll do it again. Perhaps the little one will drag up her old Dad in a few years?


John

Yip, twas a good laugh - considering the weather.

Here's a couple of wee action shots during the evening's festivities;





and......Jen....at her first bothy..........is that a homemade cigarette made from newspapers she is smoking?