ARRAN - BEINN TARSUINN (2706')

Sunday 27th May        Beinn Tarsuinn (2706') and Ridge

Leaders Glip. John Tait and Robbie Mochrie

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PL  Roderick McCrorie

APLs Kenny (Frodo) Blair

Scouts Colin Beaton, Douglas ‘Jobby’ McCrorie, Alistair ‘Frodlet’ Blair,

Weather

Warm and sunny all day

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Report

What a contrast in the weather! A superb morning without a cloud in the sky. I woke to find Peasant taking a morning stroll and enjoying the air.

Breakfast was started about 7:45 AM and great debates were held today as to who was going to climb today and who was not. At one point, it seemed that only Ally and Roderick would climb, but eventually, everyone bar Peasant wanted to go. Merry opted to stay behind at that point to keep Peasant company, although many suspected that he only did this because Peasant was going to burn the rubbish. Roderick was most disappointed that Peasant was not going to race Ally to the summit in order to reach Everest first. All through breakfast time, he had been discussing what tactics might be used.

We set off amidst a large outflow of people from the campsite. Determined that we should be better organized, I ordered two groups of four. I took Frodo, Colin and Ally, while John and Robbie took Roderick and Douglas. This official splitting worked well and both groups kept together within themselves and did not worry about keeping up with the other group. In fact, my group ended up going round the horseshoe clockwise while John’s group went in the opposite direction – purely unintentional.

My group clamboured upto the conical peak at 2597’where we were rewarded with one of the best views I have ever seen. One could see right round the island. To the west, one could make out Ireland, Islay, Jura and the Mull of Kintyre. To the north was Cruachan ridge, Arrochar mountains, and Ben Lomond. To the east – the Inverkip tower and Goatfell, and to the south Ailsa Craig. It was a fitting spot to present Ally with his Everest scarf.

We lazed around quite a while, mistaking one party as our other group. It turned out to be a group of Venture Scouts(?) with full loads. Rather them than me.

We walked round the ridge to Beinn Tarsuinn and looked down the east slopes just in time to see the other group approaching. While we had lunch, we swapped experiences. Roderick was over the moon about the mountain and weather, and everyone else voted it tremendous. Douglas was awarded Kilimanjaro before the groups went their separate ways.

The descent was interesting due to towering rocks etc. We walked along Beinn a’ Chliabhain  with its impressive view into Glen Rosa then had motorcycle races down the mountain at Frodo’s insistence. Colin acted as finishing post and we usually had a handicap with Ally going first then Frodo then me. Every time, it took Ally five attempts to get his engine started. Who’s dafter? Them or me.

We met up with John and co who had heard all the engine noises from the other side of the horseshoe. At the waterfall, Frodo achieved a death-defying stunt by traversing round the pool to get his photo taken at the waterfall.

Not content with this, he decided to go swimming at a pool further down, complete with chute. When asked his opinion, it was half shrieked as “It’s fantastic!”  Naturally, one thing led to another. Colin, who was waiting for us further down the path, returned at speed when he found out what was going on and sped down to join Frodo. Ally was quick to follow. Douglas kept saying, “That looks dangerous” and Roderick debated the issue seriously. Ally was next in and that decided Roderick. Down he went and leapt in (after changing) with a mighty splash. Douglas was the last to go in and was helped on his way.

The incident certainly provided good spectator sport for us and the party which passed us when this was going on. The funny thing about it all was how the leapt in the first time and swam 10 to the dozen to get back out again. Frodo kept insisting it was better the second time round, but only Frodlet joined him on the chute.

John and Robbie departed to start making preparations for our tent strike, and the scouts departed in ones once they were ready. Ally was last, so I accompanied him back to camp where we found that Peasant and Merry had been doing great things – Burning rubbish, packing kits and striking tents. As a result, we were quickly away with little hassle.

John and I walked along with Colin most of the way and decided he should be called Pippin since we had a Frodo and a Merry but no Pippin. En route, Ally Blair sped past on a down hill stretch as if his rucksack was pushing him along.

The walk back was less hassle than walk out and we made good time. There was time for a snack before boarding the ferry. Most of the scouts had a fish and chippy and I gave them a pound each from funds. John and I had a bacon roll and cup of tea at the restaurant along with some of the Scouts (Ally, Peasant, Merry, Robbie)

The board across left at 7:20 and we left Ardrossan about 8.45. It was an enjoyable drive home and the evening was fine.

In Greenock, we harmonised the Sixpence song with Roderick and Robbie doing great things on bass while Ally, Peasant and Douglas trebled away well.

Fantastic weekend–just a pity that Peasant and Merry missed out on Sunday’s climb. They would have enjoyed it.

The Race to Everest

Stages awarded this weekend,

Eiger: Roderick McCrorie

Kilimanjaro: Kenny Blair, Stuart Dalrymple, Colin Beaton, Douglas McCrorie

Everest: Ally Blair

With a strong finish, Ally crosses the Everest line well in front, with Peasant easing off, knowing he has no hope of catching him. The race for double Everest is now on. Can anyone catch Ally? Peasant still has a chance, but the bookies are now placing Frodo and Colin as strong contenders for Double Everest. Following a slow start, these two are now pushing hard and are beginning to see daylight. Mark sadly, is out of it withdrawn by his owner. Douglas and Roderick are still useful looking and one cannot discount Adrian and Booboo. The bookies do not see Merry, Richard or Derek as possible contenders for Double Everest.