K Fellfarers

The KFF Scottish Hotel Meet - Oban 30 members and friends enjoyed a lovely 5 nights in the Royal Hotel, Oban. The weather was generally better than the forecasts, but the strong winds on the tops limited summits to three Munro's and three Corbett's. Lots of islands were visited including Seil, Lismore, Kerrera, and Mull. Below from left to right, with Hugh taking the photo - Standing: Ray W, Ray G, Mike Wilson, Kevin, Ruth, Roger, Frank, Graham, Fred, Sheila, Lynn, Irene, Mike Walford, Mel, Mick Seated middle row: Adelle, Ellie, Dorothy, Margaret A, Jean, Val, Angie Seated front: Norman, Margaret, Chris, Jan, Maja, Jenny, Clare


Many island were visited, one of them being Lismore, with most people using the passenger only ferry from Port Appin at the north end of the island. Right is one group at the Lismore ferry terminal. Below left are Fellfarers leaving Port Ramsey Below right is the view from the north end of Lismore looking towards Mull, with Castle Coeffin in the right foreground

Wednesday had the best forecast so a large group set off to ascend Ben Cruachan. Five tackled the horseshoe, with the remaining twelve opting for the one munro. Both groups ascended the path to the Cruachan reservoir, and whilst the horseshoe group headed left to ascend the munro top of Meall Cuanail, the other party headed alongside the reservoir and into Coire Dearg. Both groups met up for lunch above the very windy bealach. The horseshoe group managed Ben Cruachan before returning due to strong wind. The other group managed half way up the summit ridge before turning back, also due to the wind. Below are both groups prior to setting off, with Mick taking the photo.

Climbing up a ladder onto the dam: especially tricky for Ray with two dogs to carry up (and down).
	Coffee stop with Meall Cuanail behind
The ascent to the col up Coire Dearg with the Corbett ascended last year Beinn a Bhuiridh behind and to the right.
	Returning down the summit ridge
With another decent forecast on the Thursday (though with less wind), six Fellfarers tackled Creach Bheinn, a Corbett above Loch Creran. The recently bulldozed shooting track gave quick access to the bealach at the top of Coire Buidhe. Then along the delightful ridge over Creag na Cathaig before scrambling up the tricky snow slope onto Creach Bheinn. A steep descent was made via Meall nan Caorach.
Walking up the shooting track with Loch Creran behind
	Walking along the Creag na Cathaig ridge looking north towards the top of Glen Etive and the Glencoe hills.
On the first top of Creach Bheinn
	Here is Maja enjoying the conditions
The steep descent from Meall nan Caorach
	The lovely bay of Oban at night

Members were sad to hear of the death of Rod Muncey, who had been fighting cancer for over a year. He started work with K Shoes in 1986 as a computer programmer in the IT department, being taken on by our own Alec Reynolds, then the IT Manager. He quickly joined Fellfarers and was active both as a member and as a committee member, acting as Social Secretary for a number of years. He was a long standing member of Kendal Mountain Rescue Team, and a very keen birder, undertaking many bird surveys for the British Trust for Ornithology. After leaving K Shoes he took a post graduate degree in Polymer Chemistry at Lancaster University, later Sheffield University, and became Dr Muncey. He moved down to Plymouth some years ago to help care for his aging parents, and died in a hospital there. This photo of Rod was taken in 2008 on a Glencoe meet, probably on Stob Coire Raineach. From the Kendal Mountain Rescue Facebook page - It is with great sadness that, on Sunday evening, we received the news that former team member Rod Muncey had lost his battle with Prostrate Cancer. Rod had returned to his native west country just over two years ago to care for his parents when he was diagnosed. Prior to leaving Kendal his devotion and commitment to Mountain Rescue was recognised with the award of the long service certificate. We will all remember Rod as a great friend and a true gentleman. Our thoughts are now with his famly. See here for an obituary in the Westmorland Gazette.
	Alec wrote a letter to the Gazette to give readers some idea of Rod's many talents.
Krysia and Walter organised a wake for Rod at the Station Inn Oxenholme, preceeded by a short walk up The Helm organised by Mick and Clare. Fellfarers were joined by members and past members of Kendal Mountain Rescue. Below left is a photo taken by Joan on The Helm, and below right are some Fellfarers at the wake. Bottom left are some of the Rescue Team members, and bottom rights shows Walter with a Rescue member. RIP Rod



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