DURC Annual Slideshow 2013

The annual DURC slideshow, featuring highlights from 2012-2013.

Isle of Mull, 29th - 31st March 2013

The Isle of Mull ultimately turned out to be the location of this year's 'Mystery Meet'. Although after numerous leaks, the word 'mystery' is used in the loosest of terms...

The A' Chioch route up Ben More, Mull (James Simpkins)

Newtonmore, 23rd March 2013

We set off around 9:30am from Newtonmore with the aim of bagging A' Chailleach (Monadh Liath). A fairly easy walk ensued which didn't feature the conditions warned of by MWIS (initially).

High winds on the summit of A' Chailleach (Brett Gregory)

Glen Brittle Memorial Hut, Isle of Skye, 15th - 17th March 2013

This was DURC's second trip of 2013 to the Isle of Skye, once again staying at the Glen Brittle Memorial Hut. If anything the weather was even better this time round and we were treated to some amazing views - see the video below!

Views from Sgurr Dearg (David Barratt)

You can watch it directly on YouTube here.

Mountain Mind Quiz, 13th March 2013

The annual Mountain Mind Quiz is a chance for clubs to pit their knowledge against each other in competition for a trophy, with all proceeds going to a good cause: Tayside Mountain Rescue. This year it was organised by Ancrum Mountaineering Club, and we sent a team along to the Queen's Hotel with no real expectations other than a bit of fun.

The Mountain Mind Quiz boot (James Simpkins)

Glen Lyon, 10th March 2013

We woke to a Dundee covered in snow and anticipated being at least ankle deep in powdery snow up in the mountains of Glen Lyon. Four of us had decided to attempt a few of the four Munros to the east of the glen, leaving the rest of the group to go and do Stuchd an Lochain.

Rime on Stuchd an Lochain (Guy Templeton)

Blair Atholl, 3rd March 2013

Our destination this week was meant to be Arrochar, but just as with the previous week's trip, we had to adapt to circumstances and go elsewhere. On this occasion it was due to being given the keys to a minibus that was nowhere to be found, and by the time an alternative had been provided it was too late to go further afield, so a return trip to Blair Atholl it was.

A cold lunch on Carn Liath (Paul Crawford)

Pub quiz, 27th Feb 2013

Alison and Kit organised a pub quiz for us in our usual meeting place, Clarks on Lindsay Street. Questions ranged over sport, history, geography, film, science and more and included a test of our ability to recognise land masses, famous faces, and a visual reference to a particularly notorious incident...

KerPlunk: the ultimate tie-breaker (James Simpkins)

Glen Brittle Memorial Hut, Isle of Skye, 22nd - 24th Feb 2013

So this meet we were originally supposed to head to Ling Hut near Torridon, Wester Ross. However, due to a gas leak we were unable to go there, but luckily the Glen Brittle Memorial Hut on Skye was free, so that became our destination! Headed off Friday night as usual and arrived at the hut pretty much exactly at midnight. After unpacking, we all sat and planned our routes for the next day. Most of us decided on Sgùrr Alasdair, the tallest mountain in the Black Cuillin range and on Skye, made up of gabbro and basalt rock.

View across Coire Lagan from the top of the Great Stone Chute (Brett Gregory)

Bridge of Orchy, 17th Feb 2013

After weeks of powerful winds and often little or no visibility it was great to finally get a decent forecast, suggesting a break in the weather leading to a period of alpine conditions. We were a bit disappointed then to drive into Glen Orchy and find it enveloped in a cold pocket of low cloud. Nonetheless, as the day drew on it turned out we were - eventually - in for a treat that would also bode well for next week's much-anticipated trip, to Ling Hut in Torridon...

The sun shining through cloud above Beinn Dorain (James Simpkins)

Glenmore, 10th Feb 2013

Off we went to Glenmore, 15 walkers and 9 intending to do some skiing or snowboarding. High winds seemed to be a given on trips at this point, and we anticipated it, but the reality was certainly worse than the forecast and it was fairly unpleasant even at the lower Cairn Gorm car park. Early on, the plans still seemed realistic though. It was, needless to say, not a great day for photography.

About as good as it got: something like -16 in the 40-50mph+ winds (Paul Crawford)

Braedownie Hut, Glen Clova, 1st - 3rd Feb 2013

A small party set off for the weekend to Glen Clova, staying in the Carn Dearg Mountaineering Club's hut, Braedownie. The weather was good but windy, and we had the added excitement of an exploding oven to spice things up.

View from near Mayar, Glen Clova (Paul Crawford)

Winter Skills Meet, Glenshee, 27th Jan 2013

The annual DURC Winter Skills Meet is an opportunity for members to practise winter basics, including fitting and walking in crampons, the use of an ice axe, avalanche awareness and navigation. As always, club members don't act as guides or leaders, but the more experienced folk on the trip aim to pass on some of what they know in an informal way.

This year DURC headed once more to Glenshee. Deep, powdery snow, strong winds and often little or no visibility were the order of the day, despite some occasional views early on, and conditions deteriorated sharply in the afternoon. Most of us ended up pushing on to the top of Glas Maol before beating a retreat.

The morning afforded some fine views over the Glenshee hills (James Simpkins)