Twelve intrepid Red Ropers from all parts of this island attended the National Winter trip near Aviemore in late February. I put the word ‘hut’ in inverted commas, as not many mountain huts in my experience have two large lounges, one with widescreen TV, a washing machine/ drier and ensuite bedrooms! This was, in fact a ski lodge, which the trip organisers had cunningly spotted at a modest price!
Many Red Ropers had either brought their bikes or rented locally to make use or the great network of trails in the area. Other ‘cast their eyes unto the hills’…
The winter conditions were fairly thin at the start of the week, but a change of wind to the north and a large dump of snow midweek opened up more winter mountaineering possibilities. So a group of us were able to get up to the Northern Corries to do a calm and snowy Fiacaill Ridge, followed by a rather mini-epic storm-bound descent!
Memorable quotes…
‘You can do a lot with a proper winter boot… I had a family of mice nesting in mine one time!” (Becky B)
“That’s not a TV room, it’s my music studio !” (Pete W)
“In a hut like this you get a better class of snoring !” (Pete W)
“That was possibly, probably, definitely my best bike ride ever!” (Yvonne H)
“Why oh why, didn’t I bring my goggles?… well I haven’t actually got any, but I have some specs … (Sue W)
“I can’t go for more than 30-40 minutes without talking about DIY… in fact I liked the way you saw my bowl of oats as resembling plaster for the kitchen walls, Dom!” (Pete C)
Memorable moments…..
Rob’s spectacular bike crash that left his face looking like he’d been in a bar brawl!
Our Glorious Leader, Pete W, being the only member of the party to have fastidiously taken off his boots and socks to cross the river Calder, quickly ending up on his backside in the cold waters! (to be fair, he took it well!)
Sherry’s spontaneous attempt to jump inside the dishwasher machine (to be fair, she is quite petite!)
A big thanks to all for your company and to the cooks and trip organisers…. Let’s do it again soon!
Trip Report by Dom G, photos thanks to Sarah, Pete W, Rob, and others