Granite City Hillwalkers

Weekends, Walks and Travel

Travel Arrangements Organisation, ideas & suggestions Meet Reviews

Sunday Walks Saturday Walks Cycle & Canoe Trips

2012 Programme of Weekend Meets
 

2012 Feb 24 & 25  Glen Urquhart Meet, Organiser PJ  Bearnock Country Centre 2012 March 16 & 17  Kinlochrannoch Meet, Organiser BM Kinlochrannoch Outdoor Centre                              2012April  13,14 & 15 Lochbroom Area Meet, Organiser K, Abdn Holiday Weekend  Forest Way Bunkhouse     2012 May 11,12 & 13 Torridon Meet, Organiser JW, extra night optional Ling Hut 2012 June 15 & 16 Ballachulish Meet, Organiser I Wlsn Alex Macintyre Hut 2012 July 6, 7 & 8 Isle of Skye Meet, Organiser A Sndn, 3 Nights Abdn Holiday Weekend Glenbrittle Memorial Hut 2012  August  Organiser ER, TBC 2012  September  21,22 & 23  Elphin Meet, Organiser KA, 3 Nights Abdn Holiday Weekend Naismith Hut 2012  October  Organiser A Mk, TBC 2012 November  Dates TBC  Laggan Meet, Organiser DR Cabin Balgowan 2012  December  29,30,31 -  Jan 1 2013  Rowardennan Meet, Organiser B M, 4 nights Ardess Lodge Organisation, ideas and suggestions: As with all walks with GCH, its up to its members to contribute to and organise walks. A relatively good level of fitness is required for most of our planned walks and the best way to get fit for walking is... walking, so maybe a Wednesday walk would be a good way to prepare for a Sunday walk and both are excelent preparation for a weekend meeting where the hill-walks can last well over 8 hours (e.g. the 5 Sisters of Kintail - now there's a story!). There is an emphasis on each individual taking a responsible attitude and contributing their 'bit' towards the club to keep everything running smoothly. This is especially true for the organised meets. Contibutions could include:  Organising a club weekend, walk or entertainment. Volunteering to drive to an organised meet and car sharing. Contributing to the communal dinners (cooking, washing-up etc). Becoming an elected member of the club. On Wednesday evenings we organise almost everything (sunday walks and scheduled/impromptu days/weekends away).  The best way to find out what is happening is to turn up and meet a few of the members on a Wednesday evening (9.30pm) at Globe Bar Back to top Travel arrangements: We generally car share to minimise costs. This also minimises the environmental impact of pollution and the potentially harmful effects of high numbers of cars in the hill car parks, parked on verges etc. Car sharing is usually arranged at the Wednesday meetings. Back to top Sunday walks: Meeting points can vary, however they are always pre-arranged. The usual meeting points are the Riverside Drive Car Park in the Duthie Park, at the statue in Golden Square or other convenient points on route. Times are arranged by email, at the Wednesday pub meets or by phone. Usually meet at 8am during the short days of the winter months and at 8.30am or 9am during the longer summer days. This means we can make the most of the day. Occasionally it is useful to travel up on the Saturday evening and stay at a hostel in order to get on the mountain nice and early on the Sunday. Its also a good chance to get a beer or two in far out places. Back to top Saturday walks: On occasion (at least once a year) there will be an organised Saturday walk. They do happen and are often very popular. Back to top Cycle and Canoe Trips: Occasionally there will be a cycle trip organised by anyone interested (usually mountain biking). Canoe trips are sometimes organised and have proved a very popular new challenge.