Kinlochleven 12th 13th Feb

[Jeff Breen]

There is currently one spare place if anyone is interested.
Jeff

[Jeff Breen]

There are now two places available folks

[skinnykin]

What? People dropping out like flies?

[skinnykin]

Anyone fancies staying somewhere else nearby rather than Kinlochleven, get in touch. I don't really think Kinlochleven is a good location for anything other than Mamores. Mamores don't usually come into conditions for any climbing. It's a long way round to drive to Glencoe or Fort William. I'd rather stay in Glencoe or Glen Nevis YH or there about.

[AndrewShanks]

When the meet was full, I'd checked out the local Youth Hostels. If I remember correctly, the Glen Nevis hostel was already booked solid by the time I checked.

[Jeff Breen]

Kin
Stop trying to sabotage this trip. I have been going to Kinlochleven for years and it is surprisingly convenient for both the |Ben & Glencoe. Glencoe is less than fifteen minutes to the start of the walk in and the Ben is about half an hour away. Also I may be able to book the key allowing us to drive up to the dam on the Ben bringing the climbs closer still. Its also cheaper than most accommodation and comfortable. Pub, bar meals and climbing wall with gear shop and cafe are all nearby. Don't knock it till you have tried it.

[Jeff Breen]

If anyone is stuck for a lift please get back to me.

[skinnykin]

Kin
Stop trying to sabotage this trip. I have been going to Kinlochleven for years and it is surprisingly convenient for both the |Ben & Glencoe. Glencoe is less than fifteen minutes to the start of the walk in and the Ben is about half an hour away. Also I may be able to book the key allowing us to drive up to the dam on the Ben bringing the climbs closer still. Its also cheaper than most accommodation and comfortable. Pub, bar meals and climbing wall with gear shop and cafe are all nearby. Don't knock it till you have tried it.

I'm not sabotaging the trip. I'm only asking the people that didn't fancy staying there to join me. They're all adults. They should be allowed to make their own decisions.

For your information, I have stayed in Kinlochleven twice. First time, backpacking starting from Fort Bill along the West Highland Way and camped by the hotel in Kinlochleven. Second time, I stayed in the FRCC's hut with Martin Cooper and Alison Robertson for Martin's FRCC meet. Only 3 of us turned up. It was getting too much to drive back to the hut after a prolong day out on Garbh Beinn and missed the ferry and all that. The extra few miles on winding road around Loch Leven were just uncalled for. The whole reason why Kinlochleven was such run down was apparent. The climbing wall does help to revive the place a bit. It's just the location is crap. To access the Mamores it's fine. Apart from that, you drive those extra miles for nothing. 9 times out of 10, I have no interest in the Mamores; not so much from climbing point of view unless a low level freeze. Therefore, I'd still go to Glencoe or the Ben for those 9 times. I'd rather spend less driving time and maximise my climbing time. It also saves my precious fuel as well. The cost of driving is getting to become a rich man's hobby! Not to mention carbon footprint. Having a key to get up to the dam on the Ben would be even better. That's the only reasoning behind my thinking of staying somewhere else. To that end, Alex MacIntyre Hut is much better situated for Coe, the Ben AND Mamores.

We all have different favourites, preferences. That's the beauty. Nothing wrong in expressing what you like and don't like. God made us all different after all.