10th/14th February - Alex MacIntyre Hut (mid-week meet) - John Evans
By John Evans
After a weekend meet of poor weather (windy & what little ice/snow there was melting), only two of us were left at the hut with half a dozen scowling, unemployed mountain guides for company. Never mind. During the following few days, the weather improved but there was still no snow, and most winter crags were reportedly very lean indeed. Richard (a complete novice) and myself (sometimes I put my crampons on the right feet) elected to walk up a few hills and generally relax. Our adventures, such as they were included the Ballachulish ridge, Bidean nam Bian & Stob coire Sgreamaich, Stob Ban and a very wet walk from Glen Nevis up to the Steall falls - the one with the hilarious bridge of 3 wires... Also included was a jaunt to Ardnamurchan Point, where some fine views of the Isles were to be had, not to mention inviting glimpses of the hills & crags of Ardgour.
Understandably we were very thirsty at night, and consequently we had the breakfast facilities to ourselves after everyone else had gone. The reasons why most of those who booked to attend this meet never made it were obscure indeed, so much so that other than an alleged incident involving a dinnerplate and a long reach, I cannot recall them. Gullible as I am, I shall return to the Scottish Hills next February.
