The Ochils Mountaineering Club

Andy, Trish and myself met at Dalwhinnie on Sat afternoon and cycled in to Culra Bothy. We had planned to do Carn Dearg upon arrival, but we were slightly later than planned and the weather was closing in, exactly as forecast. A comfy evening in the bothy seemed a better option, especially as an ex-OMC member Sarah (from Yorkshire - don't know her surname) arrived with 2 friends, allowing her and Andy to catch up with news.

On Sun, we did the 4 Munros of Beinn Eibhinn, Aonach Beag, Geal-charn, and Carn Dearg, arriving back at the bothy around 5.30. The weather started damp and cloudy, and pretty much stayed that way until mid-afternoon when we were able to enjoy some nice views. We got back to Dalwhinnie at 7.30pm. I particularly enjoyed the long downhill on the track down to Loch Ericht. Quite exilirating!

This was my first time bothying and I really enjoyed the experience.

Gordon

Logie Head, Cullen Climbing Meet.

Scott and myself were the only two attendees for the Cullen meet with others having dropped like flies in the preceeding few days (Trappain Law beckoned!).

We travelled via Tesco's at Aviemore. The biker fest over the weekend explained why Tesco's had sold out of pork pies! We got to Cullen at about 11:30PM, and kipped in van on the sea front.

Saturday morning brought the promissed excellent weather, and we were climbing by about 10:30AM. The tide was heading in so we mostly stuck to the non tidal stuff, with a plan do do the tidal stuff the following day.

Climbs Done:

- Bladder Wrack S4b (Scott)
- Sea Urchin HS4b (Nigel)
- Poacher VS4b** (Scott)
- Fisherman's Tail HS (Scott) - After I made a hash of it (arms dropped off, too many pies!)
- Cullenary Delight VS5a*** (Scott) - I fell off!!
- Greenpeace S (Nigel)
- Crows Crack HVS4c (Scott)

Apart from the usual 'Climb When Ready', ' Climbing', & 'Take-in' calls, we had to endure some pondlife referring to its kids as F'ing spastics... Thankfully they moved on soon enough!

Food and beer was eaten back at the van, and then we headed to the pub. Local band on, but Scott was asleep on his feet! An early night was taken with the promise of an early start to make the most of the tides the following day.

We were on the rock by about 9:30AM the following day, climbing the following:

- Sea Mouse HS4b (Scott)
- Cullen Crack VS4b** (Scott)
- Cullen Chimney S* (Nigel)
- Fallen Star VS4c*** (Scott)
- Brittle Star HS (Nigel)

My favourite climbs were Crows Crack (for the ammusing undercut hand-traverse), and Brittle Star for that exposed feeling half way up.

Scotts were Cullenary Delight & Fallen Star

We stopped for the day at about 2:30PM mindfull of a long drive home. Stopped at Aviemore for a wee pint on the way back - biker fest over the weekend, Harley fans everywhere and a band on too.

Photos | Slideshow

Nigel

We took a wander up Creag Mhor, to the East of Bynack More, on Saturday. A pleasant longish but easy walk in, with a lovely granite tor for the summit, and good views across to the spectacular Barns of Bynack. Dinner at Glenmore Lodge was pleasant, too.

Edit: a couple of pictures:
Lingonberries
Creag Mhor from the approach path