Muir Cottage Trip, Braemar
May Bank Holiday Club Trip, 30 April - 2 May 2016
Although the forecast had initially looked doubtful, we ended up having good luck with the weather, making this a fantastic trip. The Muir Hut (owned by the Cairngorm Club) was a perfect base and members got out walking, climbing, scrambling and biking every day.
One of the highlights of the weekend was when Eddie Martin popped by to see us with his original York MC badge (which we will have to resurrect!) for us to look at.
Saturday
Scrambling on the Stuic
The first day of the trip brought glorious sunshine, inspiring everyone to head out for a long day on the hill. Mike, Maria, Catherine, Pete and Helen started the day with a walk up a snowy Lochnagar before dropping down for a wintry scramble up the stuic. Matt, Marjan and Linda completed a round of a few munros from Glen Shee. Tenko, Neil and Dan cycled to Derry Lodge in order to climb Beinn Bhreac and Beinn a' Chaorainn.
Sunday
Maria, Catherine, Pete, Linda and Helen joined a splinter group for an easy day on Carn na Criche and Carn na Drochaide. Mike, Neil, Tenko, Dan and Marjan headed up Carn Bhac, Mike and Neil running, the rest on bikes.
Eddie Martin
In the evening Eddie Martin, one of the founder York MC members (and a former custodian of the Cairngorm Club hut which we were staying in), popped into the hut to say hello. He brought his old York MC badge, the logo of which has obviously got lost over time, and our current members were pleased to have a chance to chat to him.
The original York Mountaineering club badge and logo, from 1948
Monday
Dan's first lead
Maria and Mike headed to Pass of Ballater for a spot of cragging (between the showers) before heading home. Tenko, Neil and Dan did the same, although they arrived at the crag somewhat later for a longer day out, with Dan doing his first lead. Matt, Marjan and Linda had a lesiurely trip home, finding time to feed some swans on the way!
Tuesday
Despite a late night (!) Neil and Dan climbed Carn Aosda and The Cairnwell in a speedy 2hrs 30mins.
Wednesday
Neil and Tenko headed up Beinn Dearg in 5hrs 30 mins (3.5hrs under guidebook time, although they did use bikes).
All in all, a very good weekend away!
