Friday 13th to Sunday 15th July 2012 - Loch Tay, central Highlands
Swimming across Loch Tay. Running across seven Munros. Kayaking seven miles, then cycling another 34 around the shores of the loch.
Yes, we were quite content to watch other people do all those things.
This summer's joint meet with DMC at Loch Tay coincided with the Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon, the "exhilarating test of stamina, strength and fitness" that requires completing the above in a single day. Our own plans turned out to be much more modest: a couple of Munros of the Ben Lawers group and a traverse of the Tarmachan Ridge.
Most of us arrived at the campsite on Friday evening. It was tipping down with rain, but a lull allowed us to quickly get our tents up and then hit the pub. Fortunately, Saturday turned out to be fine and, after being joined by Paul C and Suchi, we set off.
Throughout the day we were stepping aside for participants in the Quadrathlon, some of whom were already finishing the last of their seven Munros even at mid-morning.
Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers
Juan and Jim tackled these two, a straightforward walk affording fantastic views, at least until the weather turned on reaching the top of Ben Lawers.
We could hear bagpipes as we descended, and there appeared to be quite a gathering on top of Meall Corranaich.
Time taken: 4.5 hours.
Tarmachan Ridge
The main part of our group took on Meall nan Tarmachan and the Ridge traverse: Euan, Hazel, Jon, the two Pauls, Ruaridh and Suchi.
There was a Quadrathlon checkpoint on the summit of Meall nan Tarmachan, so we moved on quickly.
Time taken: 5 hours.
Saturday evening
We regrouped at the Lochearnhead Watersports Centre to relax and enjoy a few drinks. Quadrathletes finishing the Munro stage of the event were arriving to cheers and applause, and taking to the water in their kayaks. We also witnessed the ultimately successful retrieval of a boat that had sunk in the loch.
Later, we decamped to The Old Smiddy in the village of Killin for an evening meal.
Then it was goodbye to Paul C, Suchi, Jon and Hazel, the rest of us heading back to the campsite for a beer-fuelled game of football, and it lasted a good while before tiredness and the increasing attentions of the midges brought things to a close.
Sunday
Sunday brought steady rain, and with no sign of any respite we decided to pack up and head back to Dundee. Nonetheless, it was a great weekend all told and our thanks to the organisers, drivers and all those who came along. We're sure DURC and DMC will continue to enjoy close ties and we hope to do another joint meet next summer.
Photo credits: Ben Lawers group, Killin - James Simpkins; Tarmachan Ridge and boat - Paul Crawford
For the Dundee Mountain Club write-up of this trip, please see the DMC website.
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