Granite City Hillwalkers

Weekends, Walks and Travel

 

2008 Programme of Weekend Meets Important Dates Organisation, ideas & suggestions Travel Arrangements

Wednesday Evening Walks Sunday Walks Saturday Walks Cycle & Canoe Trips Meet Reviews

2008 Programme of Day Walks. 

To be advised!

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2008 Programme of Weekend meets. 

 

March 21-24th, Easter weekend. The Chapel Ossian, Corrour Estate. May 9-11th, Grampian Cavers Hut, Elphin.   June 13-15th, Mol Mór, Torridon,   July 11-14th, Invergarry Lodge, Invergarry. August 22-24th By The Way, Tyndrum. September 19-22nd Waterfront Bunkhouse, Carbost, Skye Contact: Dave Ritchie.  No vacancies at the Bunkhouse But 1 double room left in the posher bit at £35.00 pppn sharing,  or £45.00 single occupancy. Includes breakfast and is en suite. Alternatively, nearby Skyewalker hostel has 18 places left as follows: 10 bed dorm, 6 bed dorm at £13.50 pppn 1 twin bedded room at £15.00 pppn Skywalker Hostel October 17-19th, Sàil Mhór Croft. Contact Alistair Sneddon.  Places available: need to confirm numbers by September. £10 deposit. GCH 10th Birthday Meet http://www.sailmhor.co.uk   Hogmanay, TBA Contact: Ian Williamson

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Important Dates. 

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 (8.45pm) at Cafe Bar Caley

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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.

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Wednesday evening walks:

• Meet (usually at 6.30pm) outside Cafe Bar Caley or at the statue in Golden Square (Always check before turning up!).
  
  
• Wednesday evening walks only take place during the longer evenings of the summer months.
  
  
• These are relatively short walks, but are a great way of meeting the members and its an excellent way of whiling away a warm, sunny evening.
  
  
• The group will normally return to Aberdeen in plenty of time to get to Cafey Bar Caley (N.B. a Wedneday evening walk is not a substitute for the weekly meeting at Cafe Bar Caley).
  
  
• Suggestions: Benachie from Esson's, Millstone Hill, Scoltie, Pitfichie, Durris Mast... more ideas?
  
  
• Wednesday walks are usually organised by email, telephone or during the previous Wednesday evening. Wednesday walks are a good way to begin hillwalking, because they are relatively local and short. If you wish take part then email the website.
  
  
• Remember to check by email or telephone who will be going, so that efficient travel arrangement can be made.

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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.

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Saturday walks:

• On occasion (at least once a year) there will be an organised Saturday walk. They do happen and are often very popular.

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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.