Junior Summer 2008

With uncanny precision the junior mountaineers hit the worst 5 hours of weather this term – or that was what it felt like. As we climbed Meall nan Tarmachan the cloud grew thicker and the wind rose, and at one point we had to climb steep snow. We headed from the summit towards the second top via more large snow patches, found with some difficulty in the cloud; but then rain was added to the mixture and we had to retrace our tracks. The wind on the top was now measured at up to 55mph (Severe Gale+), and waterproofs were being given a good test: most weren’t. The way down was a zigzag route down the steep complex slopes beyond the summit, avoiding the more vertical bits. The younger members of the party slid or tumbled where it was safe, and there were frequent stops to count heads (24 and a dog) and to reconnoitre. Eventually we found the bottom and the dam, and walked the last half mile back to the transport, thoroughly soaked but surprisingly happy. Well done to the whole party for surviving: it was a heroic effort!

JJC Fenton

EAMC 100th Junior Meet 2008

On Sunday 9 March the summit of Ben Vrackie was taken over by a very large Academy party, and the Centenary Meet was celebrated. In the background was a snowy Schiehallion, where in October 1974 the newly formed Mountaineering Club held its first Junior Meet for boys in Geits-3rds.

Since the start 13 different hills have been visited in a nine-meet cycle, the most popular being Ben Ledi and Ben Cleuch (12 times); the Killin hills (11); White Coomb and Ben Vrackie (10); Ben Vorlich, Glenshee hills and the Cobbler (9). The number of mountaineers has probably averaged about 30; at first a coach was hired, but recently a minibus and cars have provided transport as more family groups have come. We have somehow managed to reach the 100 mark without any serious injuries or mountain rescue call-outs! On every meet except one (Ben Vorlich), at least one party has reached its summit. Only one has been cancelled - in the foot-and-mouth epidemic (Ben Vorlich). Two have had their venue changed by the weather: Ben Vorlich yet again, and last Sunday's one...

The aim was to climb Ben Lomond: but east was best on the day, and even there we were promised heavy showers and strong winds. Ben Vrackie was the hill (it had also been the 50th), and turned out to be dry and not very windy. 41 people and 4 dogs came, in a fleet of vehicles which filled the walkers' car park. We walked in one very long party (not recommended mountaineering practice, and bad luck on the other walkers who met us...), and reached the 841 metre summit in good time. Cloud swirled around, the few snow patches were duly destroyed in the name of snowballing, champagne (sort of) was sipped, pictures were taken; and then we set off down the pathless and complicated western slopes, mostly walking, but the Geits for some reason preferring to tumble down in the heather. We eventually reached the Bealach path and so arrived back at the vehicles in sunshine.

Unexpectedly good weather, an ideal junior mountain and a happy band of mountaineers made it a worthy centenary celebration.