Walks Programme, April-June 2014 Nevis Hillwalking Club www.nevishillwalkers.org.uk , and on facebook Affiliated to the Mountaineering Council of Scotland Contacts: CHAIRMAN: Ken Stevenson 01397 713828; SECRETARY: Suzanne Theobald 01397 701783; TREASURER: Wesley Weld-Moore 01397 700949 Meeting Places/Times Car park at the Woollen Mill (Ben Nevis Highland Centre), junction of Glen Nevis and A82 roads, Fort William – 08:00 departure. Alternatively, join at the following places when going: beyond Spean Bridge - Spean Bridge Woollen Mill, 08:20; over the Corran Ferry - Corran Ferry slip, 08:25 ; to Glencoe or the A82 south - Glencoe Village car park (by mountain rescue post), 08:30 ; to Kinlochleven or the Oban Road (A828) - St Brides School, North Ballachulish, 08:25. If in doubt, or if you want to join the group elsewhere, contact the coordinator. Programme Layout The area we are going to is indicated opposite the date of the walk. The relevant O.S. 1:50K map number is given, with the grid reference of the starting point of the walks. Suggestions for other walks in the same area are welcome. It is club policy that each walk will include an experienced member. Walk distances and heights of ascent are estimates. Gaelic translations are in italics. The programmed walks and routes are flexible. Other walks and/or routes in the same area may be undertaken by some or all of the members who attend. Co-ordinators For each outing, we have a "walk coordinator". See the Walks Programme to find out who this is. The co-ordinator is not a leader, and nor should members expect to be led on a club walk, although experienced members will help those less experienced, if required. The onus is on the members to provide relevant information to the co-ordinator. This will aid the organization and safety on the hill. There is a need by members, for good communication (before the walk, on and off the hill and at the end of the walk), responsibility, duty of care and awareness of others. Checking Arrangements and Walk Details Further information about the walks can be obtained by studying the map and referring to the many guidebooks available for our region. Information about routes, weather and avalanche conditions will be found on the web. See our website for links. To check arrangements and discuss details for any walk, please contact the coordinator. Let the coordinator know what you want to do, either before the day of the walk or at the meeting point. Members doing through routes must ensure they make their own arrangements for transport at the end of the day. Safety and Equipment Remember that safety is your responsibility. Read the Code of Practice, found in the Club Handbook on our website. It contains a list of appropriate clothing and equipment that all members should have on the hill. Attention is drawn to the need for crampons and ice axe in winter. Please ensure you are fit enough on the day to complete the route you want to do, under the prevailing weather conditions. After the Walks; We aim to meet in a convenient inn or cafe in the area. When making suggestions for walks in future programmes, it may be easier to copy/paste descriptions in your email from websites such as www.walkhighlands.co.uk , although different routes are also appreciated. Sun. 6 Apr. Map 51, NN453276 Glen Dochart Meall Glas (greenish-grey hill) (Munro, 960m)/ Sgiath Chuil (back wing) (Munro, 935m). Park on the S side of the road at a forestry road entrance about 500m E of Auchessan. Take the private road across the River Dochart to Auchessan and follow the track on the E side of the burn. For Meall Glas, head slightly W of N, while for Sgiath Chuil, go east of north to cross the Allt Riobain. Meall Glas can be reached by heading for the col just to the east of the summit. Sgiath Chuil is approached on its broad SW ridge. To do both, leave Meall Glas on the eastern ridge, passing a prominent cairn at pt. 908m, then go NE to Beinn Cheathaich. The direct descent ESE from this top is very steep for a short distance, but if you turn north then ESE, this minor difficulty can be avoided. Steep grassy slopes take you to Meall a'Churain, from where you turn south along the almost level ridge to the summit of Sgiath Chuil. Go SW to regain the upward route back to the start. (Meall Glas-12km, 840m ascent; Sgiath Chuil-11.1km, 800m ascent; both-16.1km, 1290m ascent) Suggested by Ralph McLeary; co-ordinated by John Burton Sat. 12 Apr. Maps 41/50, NN271418 Blackmount Stob Ghabhar ( goat peak) (Munro,1090m). This is part of a classic high-level traverse from Forest Lodge to Kingshouse. Follow the track by the river (Abhainn Shira), then the path up into Coire Toaig. Cross the river and ascend the Aonach Eagach ridge to the summit of Stob Ghabhar. From the summit, descend northwards, then northwestwards down the Aonach Mor ridge to pick up the path to Alltchaorunn and Glen Etive. (14km, 900m ascent) Suggested & co-ordinated by Andrew Gilbert Tues. 15 Apr. Fort William Club AGM in the An Drochaid Centre from 7.00-9.00pm Sun. 20 Apr. Map 42, NN445840 Loch Laggan Circuit of Moy Corrie, Creag Meagaidh (bogland rock) (Munro, 1130m)-a classic glacial, lochan- filled corrie. From the pull-in where Allt Coire Choile-rais meets the A86 (NN445840), follow the stream through the trees and into open countryside. Cross the stream and head up the SE ridge of Meall Coire Choille-rais and begin the clockwise circuit of Moy Corrie. (A deviation can be made to the summit of Creag Meagaidh if desired). From Puist Coire Ardair head E, SE and then S to rejoin Allt Coire Choille-rais. (8km, 1000m ascent) Suggested & co-ordinated by Ken Stevenson Arran week-end (Fri. 25-Sun. 27 April), and for those not going on the week-end-- Sat. 26 Apr. Map 41, NN188563 Glen Coe Buachaille Etive Beag (small herdsman of Etive) [2 Munros- Stob Coire Raineach (925m) & Stob Dubh (dark peak) (958m)]-Take the path from the parking which leads into Lairig Eilde. Almost immediately head SE for the obvious ridge following the N side of a burn on the slopes of Stob nan Cabar. Once on its flat summit head SW for Stob Coire Raineach. Descend to the col at 750m and continue along the ridge to Stob Dubh. There is a fine view (on a good day!)to Loch Etive and Ben Starav. To descend, return to the col & follow the new path down to Lairig Eilde & back to the start. Suggested by Gerry Gilbert; co-ordinated by Sun. 4 May Maps 40 & 41, NM959794 Loch Eil Gulvain (either filthy or noisy hill) (987m, Munro)-Follow the track up the east side of the Fionn Lighe river, which crosses the river after about two km. Continue on the track for about another four km, and cross the Allt a' Choire Reidh. Then ascend the south ridge of the hill to a craggy knoll at 855m, and carry on past the trig point. From here head NNE, dropping 60m to a saddle, and then climb the narrowing ridge to the summit. Return by the same route. (23.2km, 1330m ascent) Suggested by Ralph McLeary; co-ordinated by John Burton Wed. 7 May Glen Nevis Evening woodland walk with Wesley, listening to birdsong, in Poldhu, Glen Nevis, followed by refreshments at a nearby pub. (Details to follow) Sat. 10 May Map 33, NG953064 Kinloch Hourn Buidhe Bheinn (yellow hill) (885m, Corbett) & Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais (peak of the hollow of the narrows) (885m, former Corbett)-Cross the bridge and take the Arnisdale track for 1.5km. Take the second stalkers' path and follow this to about 670m. Gain the NW ridge and follow this over the 879m West Top. Down a narrow rocky ridge, then ascend to the summit of Buidhe Bheinn. (There are various means of return to the start from here). Alternatively continue on a demanding, grand high level route to Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais. From this summit descend to Bealach Dubh Leac and head SE towards Wester Glen Quoich. From here take the path up and over the Bealach Coire Sgoireadail and follow it back to the start. (Distance 15k, Ascent 1280m) Suggested & co-ordinated by Norman Wares Sun.18 May Map 40, NM765817 Lochailort Circuit of Rois-bheinn (hill of showers)(882m,), Sgurr na Ba Glaise (peak of the grey cow) (874m,), An Stac (the stack)(814m,)-The full circuit includes 3 Corbetts - but there is plenty of scope to shorten the route. From Inverailort follow the track round Tom Odhar to Allt a Bhuiridh. Cross this (may be a bridge) and head up towards Druim Fiaclach to join the ridge. Follow the ridge via An t-Slat-bheinn to the first Corbett Sgurr na Ba Glaise. Continue along to Rois-Bheinn summit. Could descend from here towards Alisary or backtrack to Bealach an Fhiona and return to Allt a Bhuiridh. To complete the third Corbett, from Bealach an Fhiona continue north over An Stac and join Allt a Bhuiridh later. (16km, 1700m for all 3 Corbetts) Suggested & co-ordinated by Ken Stevenson Wed. 21 May Fort William Walks Planning Meeting- at Gavin and Suzanne's house at 7.30pm. Come along and help choose the walks for the next programme. (Suggestions very welcome) Sat. 24 May Map 32, NG486298 Isle of Skye Skye hills from Sligachan—a choice of magnificent Munros, eg.