On Friday 9 OMC members travelled up to the very well appointed and comfortable Naismith Hut in Elphin, north of Ullapool. When Anne, Scott and I arrived, several members were already well settled in front of the stove in the living room. A very sociable evening was had which lasted until 2am. Why have an early night when the forecast is bad?
Saturday dawned cloudy but mainly dry (not that we would have seen the dawn...). Ian and Mhairi canoed along Loch Veyatie and mastered some white water sections. I believe they also made a foray into Fionn Loch. This meant 7 hours of paddling and pulling/carrying the boat across land – a good work out, especially since it seems to have been quite choppy on the way back!
Lucy & Nigel, who had travelled up north in their camper van, joined Andy M., Anne & Scott, Simon W., Sharon and myself for a low level walk from Lochinver to Elphin. We had been hoping for a bus to Lochinver but alas the bus timetable must have been out of date, so we ended up taking 2 cars up to Lochinver and Nigel drove the drivers back after the walk to pick up the cars. Despite the fairly dreich weather we had great views of Suilven and Canisp and enjoyed the 14 mile walk. We stopped at Suileag bothy for lunch. Some very boggy sections had to be negotiated and a few bridge-less streams to be crossed. After running through a shallow stream earlier in the day I got a bit too enthusiastic and impatient at the last crossing and jumped into a fairly deep bit. My left foot found a big hole and I twisted the ankle rather badly. Ankle is turning into a nice shade of blueish-black just now.
Meanwhile Frank tackled Breabag and really enjoyed this Corbett jaunt with caves, fissures and some views.
Another good night was had (in bed by 2am again, I think). After an autumn clean of the bothy, Andy, Simon and Sharon set out to do Cul Beag (I think) with Lucy & Nigel. Ian and Mhairi headed south while Frank went north for another few days in Assynt/Sutherland. Anne, Scott and I pottered about the bothy for a bit and then went to Lochinver, where Anne and Scott went for a river walk while I hobbled round the harbour.
Not many peaks were bagged but a very sociable weekend was had in a great area and a great hut.
Some photos here:
http://www.ochils...m_gallery2/Itemid,87/?g2_itemId=26153
