Mini Expedition to Mingulay

ONLY £450 per person (based on 8 expedition members).

If, by the end of November, all places have not been filled, the organising committee will be advertising this meet with our three Kindred Clubs. We would therefore urge any KMC members who are considering going to contact the meet leader without delay to secure their place.

Black cliff

INTRODUCTION

Located at the Southernmost end of the Hebridean Chain these two uninhabited islands have some of the most remote, spectacular, challenging, rewarding and little explored sea cliff climbing in the whole of the British Isles. The first recorded climbing was in 1993 by Sir Chris Bonnington! There are opportunities to put new routes up at many grades. From the Scottish Rock (Volume 2 North) Guidebook and UKC online Guide, this is a quick summary of Climbing grades on Mingulay only - this is not comprehensive - there are at least a hundred more routes:

• Diffs/VDiffs/Severes - 19
• HS/VS - 33
• HVS - 32
• E1/E2 - 55
• E3 and above - 75

The rock is all ancient Lewissian Gneiss providing mostly excellent friction and good holds. Routes are almost all located on sea cliffs and vary considerably in number of pitches and style from Deep Water Soloing options, to relatively short single pitch routes to 150 metre 7 pitch epic days out! Many of the longer routes require committing cliff top abseils but many shorter (and easier) routes involve scrambles or much shorter abseils.

Cliff and Cave

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

The islands hold a wealth of non-climbing opportunities for swimmers, birdwatchers, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, Sea Kayaking etc.

If you are interested in taking a Sea Kayak let me know as soon as possible!

I have photographs of Mingulay from when I visited by boat a couple of years ago, and would be happy to discuss what I know in more detail.

DATES

10 days including travel: Saturday 28th April to Bank Holiday Monday the 7th May.

(NB: Easter weekend falls Fri 6th - Mon 9th April in 2012.)

Selection of time of year: Although February to July is nesting time for the many seabirds, most routes avoid the main nesting sites. Consultations with various boat skippers have confirmed that the best chance of settled weather patterns occur in April/May/June - and there are less midges.

Stack and channel

KMC EXPEDITION STYLE AND ORGANISING STRUCTURE

As both Mingulay and Pabbay are un-inhabited this will be a self supported trip.

It will be a 'team' expedition where all members are expected to contribute in taking a full part in communal 'on-site' life on arrival on the Islands.

So as not to overload anyone individual with too many tasks there will be a 4 person committee structure which will be constituted following a meeting of all paid up expedition members in the early autumn this year. Date TBC.

MAXIMUM NUMBERS & COST PER PERSON

The final amount payable will depend on final numbers and will look something like:

• 12 people (Maximum Number) - £400 per person
• 10 people - £425 per person
• 8 people - £450 per person.

Ruin at camp site

Payment Terms:

Initial deposit payable by 30th November 2011 - £150.

2nd payment of £150 due by 30th January 2012.

3rd payment of the balance by 31st March 2012.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE FEE?

The fee is pretty much ''fully inclusive'' and covers the following:

Diesel to and from Scotland; CalMac ferry tickets; Hostal accom on Barra 2 nights, Private boat hire to Mingulay return; All communal food,drink, gas and incidentals; A contribution to shared rescue kit, first aid kit & long abseil ropes; A contribution to shared Camp kit;; A ‘contingency fund’ to cover emergencies and things not yet thought of.

TRAINING & PRE MEET SOCIAL

There will be a training day and pre-meet social on the weekend of April 14th/15th 2012. The training is likely to focus on improvised self rescue techniques.

SAILING OPTIONS

There may be options to sail a traditionally rigged boat for a day or two with one of the skippers I know. I can explore this further once people are signed up and I know how much interest there may be. This is likely to cost extra and could be an optional ''add-on'' for those who are interested.

DRAFT SCHEDULE

• Pre – Gather all kit and box up
• Friday 27th April evening – Pack vehicles
• Sat 28th. Drive to Oban, Ferry to Barra. Overnight on Barra at Hostal
• Sun 29th. Boat to Island, establish camp. Explore & Climb.
• Mon 30th April to Sat 5th May - main climbing period (Six full days)
• Sun 6th May. Climbing and Strike camp. Transfer to Barra. Overnight on Barra at Hostal
• Mon 7th(Bank Holiday). Ferry Barra –Oban. Drive Home.