Edinburgh University Hillwalking Club

Hi Hillwalkers!

Next weekend is our first weekend trip of the year. We're going to Laggan Bridge in the Cairngorms National Park. The village has also starred as 'Glenbogle' in the popular BBC TV series Monarch of the Glen, which is in a beautiful area and less than 3 hours' drive away.

ACCOMMODATION
We'll be staying for 2 nights at the Pottery Bunkhouse in the village which has brilliant facilities: a good kitchen, a common room for socialising or just chilling out, plenty of hot showers and a drying room for wet gear (just in case it rains!). http://www.potterybunkhouse.co.uk/index.asp

SLEEPING BAGS
For this trip you will need to bring your own sleeping bag. In case you forget this it will cost you £4 extra per night! Also, we would need to book the bedding in advance, so if you forget it, you might end up with nothing!

WALKING
In terms of walking - Laggan lies in the Cairngorms NP http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/ERADEN/CANH/NP/00016131/cnp_boundary.htm, and the Western Cairngorms are accessible, though we are a bit closer to the Monadhliath, Creag Meagaidh and the Glen Feshie Munros.- we will be offering a range of walks of all lengths and difficulties, we will definitely be offering some easy walks so don't worry if your fitness isn't up to anything major! The landscape will be more rounded than at Arrochar and Crianlarich, and some ascents may be less steep, but the walks in may be a bit longer, so you'll get your full days' worth!  Also, there will be more chance to see a wide variety of wildlife like the osprey, red deer, pine martin or even a golden eagle. There is also an abundance of wild flowers, plants and trees in the area.

DATES & TIMES
The trip will leave at 5:30pm from the Pleasance on Friday 10th October and there will be a KB pickup just after 5 for anyone that needs it. We'll come home on Sunday evening probably arriving about 7-8pm depending on what everyone feels like. Please be on time: 5:15-5.20, so we can leave promptly!

EQUIPMENT
In terms of equipment, look at the gear pages of your club handbook and the website. If you need to borrow waterproofs or a survival bag please ask for this when you sign up. The most important things to have are decent walking boots, waterproof jacket and trousers, a few jumpers and a rucksack - no jeans or trainers!
<http://hillwalk.eusu.ed.ac.uk/?page=weekendtrips>

FOOD
We'll stop for takeaway/supermarket food on the way north. There will be a group meal on the Saturday night, this will save you a lot of hassle and is much more sociable than cooking independently. If you want to join in with this please bring an extra £2 to sign up. We will cater for vegetarians and if you have other requirements then just ask at sign up. You'll need to bring breakfasts and all hill food and snacks for two days' walking, and something to carry a drink in.

DRINK
Roy, Helen & Emily may be leading an expedition to a Saturday night out in the village Hotel, but if you're too knackered for that then there will be other folks enjoying a drink or two in the hostel, so do bring a bottle.

CARS & DRIVERS PLEASE!
We will be needing a few cars for the trip, so if you have a car in Edinburgh and you are willing to drive for the club, please get in touch with Ellen before Tuesday. The rules for minibus drivers have changed a bit for this trip: we won't be taking Sports Union minibuses so no special minibus licence needed. Instead, you need to be 25 or over and have had your licence for at lears 2 years. All drivers get a place in advance, a £10 discount off the trip fee and your petrol will be paid for.

WALK ORGANISING
If you are willing to organise walks on both days (or even just one day) please email Ellen before Tuesday - you'll get an advance place on the trip. Remember to check maps beforehand for possible routes (easy + harder). It would be of great help if you filled in a routecard in advance. We will be setting up a thread on the forum on which you can place your ideas:http://euhwc.fasach.com/forum

COST
The weekend costs £40, this pays for your accommodation, minibus hire and fuel and is fantastic value for money. If you want to join in the Saturday meal this costs £2 extra. We might ask you to volunteer for doing some chopping up though!

SIGN UP
To sign up, please come to the Southsider pub on West Richmond Street at 8:30pm on Tuesday 2nd October. Please bring full payment (as a cheque to EUHWC if possible) and your membership card - if you haven't joined yet you can do so as you sign up (membership costs £25 for the year or £15 for one semester). Let us know if you have any dietary requirements or if you need a KB pickup.

ADVANCE SIGN UPS
In the interests of fairness only committee members, walk organisers and drivers can sign up early. Sign up will be first come, first served, so please try to be on time - however if you miss out this time you'll get priority on the next weekend trip to Glen Coe.

TUESDAY PUB NIGHT
After sign up we'll be having our regular pub night so do come/stay for a drink!

QUESTIONS
Ellen and Mark are meet organising for this trip so if you have any questions please email Ellen: ellen.grunewald@gmail.com

Great, see you Tuesday at 8:30!!

Ellen & Mark