Members: Chris Thickett, Tony Gask, John Thorley, Mark Garrod, Dave Whittingham, Dave Wylie, Michelle Harvey, Dave Bone, Ken Beetham, Phil Ramsbottom.

Guests: Moira Jeffrey, Grant Jeffrey, Gary Latter, Paul Broadbent (Stork), Linda Ramsbottom.

If you keep returning to Skye year in year out (as several of us have done) eventually you get the weather that you dream about, and this folks was it - THE YEAR WHEN THE SUN SHINES.

Right from arriving on the Saturday morning, through to Wednesday we enjoyed perfect climbing on lovely warm dry gabbro with a nice breeze to keep us comfortable.

All sorts of routes were completed, hardest by a KMC member being Vulcan Wall by Dave Bone and Mark, the old favourites got a bashing, Cioch West, Cioch Direct, Arrow Route, Integrity, Kings Chimney and of course the Innaccesible Pinnacle. The new guide was just out so Mark and the Daves enjoyed a rest day at Flodigarry, then, not satisfied with this the Daves ventured on to some sea stacks at Ardtrek Point to attempt to find a new route or two - they survived but (having seen the photos it must have been touch and go)

Hardest by a non-KMC member was Gary and Storks new route on the Great Prow of Blaven - Finger in the Dyke 130M E5 6a, 5c,5c - one day maybe - I can dream can't I.

Scrambling highlights were The Dubh Ridge from Elgol, Bidean Druim Nan Ramh (not bad for Lindas first day in the Cuillin), as for the walking Ken enjoyed the path out to the point and a few of us watched a shoal of dolphins as we walked from Talisker Bay to Fiscavaig.

For me one of the highlights was all 1600 feet of the ascent of Sgurr Na Stri from Elgol, this must be one of the best 'easy to reach' views in the country.

Tips we learnt this year include: Skye Bridge tickets can be bought (from the office at the barrier) for 25.10 pounds which gives you 10 crossings - valid for twelve months (cheaper still after the recent anouncement - 12.50 pounds - I think), so buy a set and sell them on the campsite, or at the hut - much better than paying the full price of 5.40 pounds each way.

Don't let them see you doing it or they will spoil the fun.

Once again it is time for the trip to the misty isle, after at least three years bad weather this year we are due to see the island at its' best, and there couldn't be a better time to go - daylight from 3 am to 11 pm, midges still hibernating, bank holiday hoards on their way home - what more can I say.

The company in the hut is guaranteed to be excellent with plenty of good humoured banter, so cross my palm with 20 and a place is yours.