MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS

The next in our series of volunteer walk leaders profiles is Alistair Hume.

Ali (on the right) co-leading last year's Mountain Festival A'Chir walk

ALISTAIR HUME

What do you do when you don’t lead walks for the Arran Mountain Festival?


For relaxation, I play the bagpipes with the Isle of Arran pipe band, I am also a keen sea kayaker and try to play golf as often as I can.

I also work part time for World Challenge, a company that specialises in taking groups of teenagers to mainly third world countries for up to five weeks at a time to experience other cultures and assist in project work such as toilet block construction.

I have also been a member of the Arran Mountain Rescue Team since 1976 and a lot of my time is spent training with them and being on call 24/7.


Why do you volunteer as an Arran Mountain Festival walk leader?

I like to try and help others experience the wonderful mountains of Arran and pass on any local knowledge and history and ensure that they have a memorable time.


Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.

There have been many favorite moments!!! But for feel good factor it must be a time in Northern Peru while descending from a high 4.500 meter pass and at -10 I came across a young local lad, his face full of snot and minus some fingers and toes from frostbite - he was wearing shorts and sandals.


I will never forget the way his face changed when I gave him my cosy warm mountain rescue buffalo jacket that I had cherished for some 20 years.


What is your favourite Arran walk?

Don't really have one, I love them all!!!


Which piece of kit would you not head into the hills without?

A whistle.


What is your favourite breakfast before a long day out in the mountains?

Anyone I can persuade my wife to make!!!


Ali is co-leading the A'Chir ridge traverse.

The Arran Hills: Many Shades of Grey!

Certain to get your heart racing and your knees trembling, Arran’s exciting mountains take your breath away. Whilst Munro-baggers may whizz up the M74 without turning left, missing out the Arran hills because of their lack of a few metres is a bit like getting married without the wedding night.

So what makes the Arran hills so seductive?

1. A magnificent profile: from all approaches, the distinctive mountain skyline of Arran commands your gaze, with its soaring peaks and pinnacles. The towering east ridge of Caisteal Abhail is known as the Sleeping Warrior- see the photo. (He’s wearing a helmet and he has a firm chin!)

2. In a vigorous embrace: Arran is only ten miles wide so wherever you are, you’re never far from the encircling presence of the waves. From the summits, you can get 360 degree sea views- to Northern Ireland, the Kintyre peninsula, the Paps of Jura, Mull, the Arrochar Alps, Cowal, Bute, Ayrshire and Galloway.

3. No boring introductions:  you won’t find long walk-ins on Arran. Unless you keep going in circles round the coast, the only way is up, but taking things one step at a time you’ll be amazed at the height you can achieve in a relatively short time. The apparently vertical climb up Cioch na h'Oighe is a good example of this - it’s still a walker’s route though a head for heights and sure-footedness will help.

4. Fill up your senses: waterfalls stream over Arran’s shoulders, sliding down chutes and plunging into deep, ferny chasms. The background music of water accompanies every Arran walk. Glen Catacol especially is a great place for waterfall hunters.

5. Hands-on experiences:  once you’re on the ridges you won’t be able to resist some exciting hands-on scrambling on the satisfyingly rough-textured  tors of pale grey granite.

6 An untamed character: whilst the Gulf Stream caresses Arran with warm currents making palm trees flourish round its coastline, the mountain tops are survivors of fierce battles with Atlantic weather. Apart from Goatfell, the hills of Arran are uncrowded and perfect for walks on the wild side.

7. A fascinating past:  walks on Arran reveal hints of the ancestors in ancient cairns, stone circles and the remains of prehistoric hill forts. The echoes of Viking rule are in the names of the coastal settlements.

8. Beautiful creatures: Arran’s most famous wild creatures just happen to be very good looking ones too: there are the pure-blooded, elegant red deer for example, as well as majestic golden eagles, tufty-eared red squirrels and lithe, playful otters to select but a few.

9. Fulfilling: Arran walks are adventurous and the end of adventure satisfaction factor as you enjoy your meal in one of Arran’s independent restaurants is off the scale overwhelmingly good.

10. Enduring and elemental: Arran enjoys worldwide celebrity status in geology circles for its amazing rocks. The island represents a coming together on a titanic scale of highland and lowland. The mountains themselves burst into being as an exploding volcano.  Today, the hills are a rocky heaven with pebbles, boulders, outcrops and crags in every imaginable and lovely shade of grey.

Kathy Mawson

All photos are copyright of Lochranza Campsite

Glen Etive excursion

 

Mainland adventures - Clachlet Traverse & Buachaille Etive Mor

The weather forecast looked alright for the May bank holiday weekend, so it was time for this Arran Mountain Festival walks co-leader to get her camping gear out and head for the hills.

I caught the train up to Bridge of Orchy on Friday evening and set up camp for the night just across the bridge.The temperature was to drop below freezing, so a good soul staying in one of the cottages across the river, who'd seen me pitch the tent, brought me some hot water for a cuppa. He also produced a wee plastic bottle he filled with the remaining contents of the flask - et voilà, a hot water bottle! Don't say there's no kind folk in this world anymore.

Saturday morning began with snow flurries, which soon gave way to glorious sunshine. With a pack weighing a ton because I was carrying food to last me three days and luxury items such as a book, I set off for the Clachlet traverse. This high level route takes in four munros between Bridge of Orchy and Kingshouse. Stob a' Choire Odhar and Stob Gabhar towering above Loch Tulla were my targets for the day, then I would camp high and carry on north for Creise and Meall a' Bhuiridh. The walk in to the start of the route at Inveroran was a perfect leg stretcher, the views of  Loch Tulla and the surrounding mountains stunning.

Loch Tulla & Glen Etive hills

The willow warblers were singing their little hearts out, and I was even lucky enough to watch an osprey quartering above the loch! Soon, it was time to peel off from the crowds enjoying the West Highland Way and start the ascent of Beinn Toaig, the top neighbouring Stob a' Choire Odhar. The spring sun was producing some heat, and I was moving significantly slower with the weight of my pack. Not to worry though, the views unfolding were amazing and I had plenty of time to reach the spot I'd picked to spend the night. From Beinn Toaig, it was a comparably short pull to the summit of Stob a' Choire Odhar, the first munro of the day, with a nice close-up view of a ptarmigan enroute. I savoured more great views north to a watery Rannoch Moor, before descending onto the bealach towards Stob Gabhar. Down I went, and up I had to go again! The ascent to munro no. 2 towering above Chorein Lochain was steep but rewarding, as it was nice and scrambly, made more interesting by having to balance a big rucksack. The mountain panorama from the summit was even better, including the rarely out of the clouds Ben Nevis and the sea to the west. I fancy I even was able to see Arran!

Rannoch Moor from Beinn Toaig

Approach to Stob Gabhar

Glad it was all downhill from here, instead of following the few other walkers back to Inveroran, I turned north to descend to Bealach Fuar-chathaidh via chunky Aonach Mor ridge. I was definitely ready for a rest when I found a nice sheltered spot at the col. Snow flakes were gently pattering the tent as I fell asleep.

High camp at Bealach Fuar-chathaidh

After a lie in and a latish breakfast - it was Sunday after all! - a steep climb up to scree-strewn Clach Leathad soon got the blood pumping. Luckily, with that first ascent behind me, the summit of Creise, munro no. 1 for the day, was within easy reach. Views kept coming and going, with clouds holding flurries of snow moving in from the north. To reach Meall a' Bhuiridh, I had to retrace my steps for a short distance to drop down a rocky col. Walking the opposite way, I met a chap with his dog who hardly managed a "hello". Maybe it was to do with the load he was carrying. I thought I had it bad with a heavy but still reasonably compact pack, but this chap carried a wee bag on his front as well as a biggish rucksack! Never mind, after a bit of exertion, the summit of Meall a' Bhuiridh was reached. From there, I was able to survey the route I had travelled, and I congratulated myself on the amazing conditions I'd had for it.

Meall a' Bhuiridh from Clach Leathad

One happy tr(c)amper on Meall a' Bhuiridh summit!

As a guy with no rucksack and just a thin jacket to protect him from the prolonged snow shower arrived at the top, it was obvious the Glencoe chairlift was operating. Hurrah, I could cheat a bit and hop on it to save those knees for the next day! it was quite weird to pop over the summit and see the top of a ski tow looming. No problems finding the way down here! After stopping for a sunny picnic halfway down, I gratefully hopped on the lift, watching the mountain bikers tackling the steep downhill route below. A very welcome soup and coffee at the cafe at the bottom was followed by another coffee out in the sunshine at the Kings House hotel, from were I had a fantastic view back up to Meall a' Bhuiridh and Creise.

Kings House hotel with Meall a' Bhuiridh & Creise towering behind

I'm still always amazed what distances you can cover just travelling on Shanks' pony! A few more kilometres to go for me yet, to camp at the bottom of Buachaille Etive Mor, ready for an assault on the iconic mountain at the head of Glencoe the next day.

Buachaille Etive Mor, Mamores & Ben Nevis in the distance

Buachaille Etive Beag at sunrise

After getting up at a bracing 5.30am (JoT, you'd be proud of me!), I cruised round the Buachaille ridge on Monday morning. It was such a joy to leave behind the weight of the camping gear, I managed to climb the two munros and get back to base in time to pack up, hitch a lift to Bridge of Orchy, and hop on the 13.03 train back to Glasgow whilst the rain was arriving. A great time was had by me!

CG

Stob na Doire & Stob Coire Altruim on Buachaille ridge

Loch Etive from Stob na Broige on Buachaille ridge

Arran hills, some of the best in Scotland!

Here's a few pics taken yesterday of the Arran mountains seen from across Brodick Bay. Breathtaking! Definitely up there with the best of Scottish hillwalking!

Bookings are going well for this year's Arran Mountain Festival, some of the walks are fully booked, and a couple are over subscribed! Don't delay - check out www.arranmountainfestival.co.uk and book your walk!

The Three Beinns Horseshoe, a classic ridge walk, sponsored by Merrell. So popular that we're running it twice, and currently there are just a couple of places left on the Friday and Monday walks. Tempting isn't it - go on, get booking! http://www.arranmountainfestival.co.uk/friday-18-may/three-beinns-horseshoe.html

From right to left Am Binnein, Mullach Buidhe, North Goatfell (not in view) and Goatfell.  This walk, sponsored by the Friends of Brodick Castle is being led on the Monday of the Festival, and currently there are only 5 spaces left.  Don't miss out on this wonderful, but little walked, walk.

JoT

NEWSFLASH - there are still a couple of spaces left on the Sunday A'Chir walk, don't miss out, get booking! Have a look at the posts below written by participants in 2011, which I've just refreshed so it's easy to find!!  Please be tempted - just call 01770 302244 to book :-)

JoT

2011 Arran Mountain Festival A'Chir Ridge Walk

I had never set foot on Arran before, which is shameful considering I live in Glasgow, but I have always heard it is good for walking and climbing. My friend, who has been on Arran several times, heard about the mountain festival and saw there was a guided walk along the A'Chir ridge which he had bypassed on previous walks and thought it would be a great chance to walk it.

We just made it to the outdoor centre in time to get a quick instruction on how to put our slings on, which is when I thought it was going to be more extreme than any scrambling I had done before.

The walk started in Glen Rosa and the weather was perfect, warm morning sun and blue skies. The group walked up Glen Rosa at an easy pace giving the group the chance to get to know one another and hear the guides point out places of interest and tell some stories about the area. We stopped for some lunch just below Cir Mhor where we were told that if we didn't fancy the ridge we could turn back.

A short climb took us to the the start of the rock climbing section where the guides set about putting a safety rope up. It was just as well they did, I was the second person to go along the section and had a wee slip but managed to get to the end of the section safely. There were plenty of other moments where the ropes were in use and I think the group was thankful for that especially at the bad step on the ridge. This was only a gap of half a metre which had to be jumped, but with vertical drops on each side the exposure was something else.

By the time we had reached the top I was a lot more tired out than what I would have expected, mostly from using muscles that aren't usually put to the test. But the wonderful views from the top made it worthwhile and I quickly forgot about my aches and pains. We could see Jura and even all the way over to the Antrim coast.

After the top it there was one more section which required the rope then it was a steady walk back down to Glen Rosa to catch our lift.

Having lacked any previous rock climbing experience i knew this was going to be an exhilarating, challenging and at times apprehensive walk. But with the guides always there to reassure you and advise you along the way everyone got passed the trickiest sections with no problems. I will certainly be back to Arran to walk the rest of the hills and ridges after this.

I must say a big thanks to the guides, Ali and Mick. They were full of knowledge and stories of the area and their times on the hills and you felt in very safe hands with them helping you along the hardest sections of the walk.

Gregor

2011 Arran Mountain Festival A'Chir Ridge Walk Take 2

By David Lang, Lamlash

As a result of the great care taken by local mountain rescue guide Alistair and visiting guide Mick Tighe, our intrepid group thoroughly enjoyed the adventure of walking on Arran’s potentially dangerous A’chir Ridge last weekend. Many of us had travelled a long way to be part of this year’s Mountain Festival, including one from Australia! A few manoeuvres necessitated the indignity of an odd push from behind, however it was all worth it as we were able to ‘boldly go where none of us had dared go before’.

I also attended the excellent film show and illustrated talks on the two previous nights, both effectively building up the excitement, while showing the fun and challenges to be had when exploring mountain areas.

Arran is blessed with superb and extensive hill walking routes that many visitors sadly miss, and the festival celebrated these, while also enabling a wide range of abilities to access them in a safe way. The views from the top can best be described as ‘awesome’!

All those involved in its organisation should be very proud of this year’s success and if I find out they are ever organising a trip up Everest then you can count me in, as I am confident it would be equally well planned! To be honest I would still rather continue exploring Arran and am already looking forward to next year’s festival.

So, what do some of your mountain leaders do in their spare time!  Obviously we spend a lot of time on the Arran hills, but we do occassionally like to travel a little further afield!! 

Here are some wonderful snowy shots taken in February as I wandered some of our fabulous Scottish hills :-)  I was up in the Glenshee area, a bit of battle at the start through the ski lifts and runs, but once off the beaten track the peace and tranquility was so well worth the effort. 

Another 'hill day' to add to my Mountain Leader log book, and another 3 munro ticks, if you're into that sort of thing ;-)



























JoT

2011 Arran Mountain Festival Coich na h'Oighe Walk

I'm sure I can speak for the group when I say that we were all chuffed to bits with what we achieved on this walk - some found it more challenging than others!!

Jacqui

2011 Arran Mountain Festival Witch's Step Walk

This walk offered a bit of everything - scrambling, ridges, bogs, but most of all the fabulous views. Outstanding!!
Jacqui

The Old Man of Tarsuinn & the Goblin of Mullach Buidhe

If you look closely, Arran's mountain ridges are home to an amusing variety of stone characters. Towering granite tors teetering precariously over cliff edges give the impression of a giant's game of jenga. Many of those massive boulder stacks hide a face, the shape of an animal or whatever else your imagination reads into them. Spotting these characters and creatures is great fun - especially on a day when there's not much of a view!

The Old Man of Tarsuinn is a well-known example of those characterful tors. He is unmissable if you're heading south along the ridge from Beinn Tarsuinn to Beinn Nuis, perched high above Coire a'Bhradain.

Queen Victoria overlooks Glen Rosa from Beinn a'Chliabhain.

I noticed this chap for the first time last week, enjoying an amazing day out walking from Glen Sannox back to Brodick, taking in Cioche na h'Oighe, North Goatfell and Goatfell. I've christened him the "Goblin of Mullach Buidhe".

Corinna