Page 6 - 2000 AMA Summer

AMA New Year Meet 1999 - 2000
T his years New Year meet was held at Norwegian Lodge, nr Aviemore in the Cairngorm region of Scotland over the period 27 Dec 9 9 - 4 Jan 00. This meet is traditionally aimed at like minded individuals' working hard, and more impor­ tantly, playing hard in a relaxed atmosphere away from the worries of work. This year was no exception to this rule and was extremely well attended by 28 hardy folk who had
nowhere better to go over the Millennium period.
Thanks to the Stu MacDonalds excellent write up from the previous year, numerous red blooded males turned up expecting the Lodge to resemble a lap dancing bar! I would like to say that there was an excellent turnout from the females of the AMA but even an extremely bold Dougie Farquhar drew the line at asking Rachel Semple to provide this basic service. Maybe next year Dougie!
Once everyone had arrived and settled in, plans and counter-plans were laid for the opening forays into the corries. The weather over the Christmas period had been excellent and a good dump of snow had ensured that the scenery looked exactly as it should. All that was now required was for the Cairngorm breeze to abate enough for us to do the business.
Winter novices went through an introduction to ice axe arresting, digging, belaying and the wonders of winter nav in the areas of Corrie Cas and Sneachda, Ciste Mhearead and Corrie Domhain. Thankfully everything went well and everyone was then ready to head off into the hills. The con-
AMA Expedition Radio Set
For Hire
The AMA has recently added to its radio equipment by purchasing four more hand held VHF sets for use by its members and others. The equipment available to hire now consists of eight hand held Motorola GP68 VHF sets, one GM350 VHF base station, solar panels, video battery charger and ail the ancillaries. This service has been provided by the AMA from the contributions you make as members of the association, therefore the equipment is yours and you should make full use of it. The set has been tested in Europe, South and North America and Nepal. The hand sets provide a good line of sight service up to 5km and the more with the base station's 25W output. The set, or part set, is available by booking it through the Publications Editor, Steve Willson, with the following conditions.
1.The radios must be insured by the expedition for the replacement cost.
2.A hire fee, to cover maintenance and renewal, of between £50 for part of the set and £150 for the whole set paid to the AMA on collection
3. The expedition must book their own frequencies through which ever country they are visiting and then inform the radio manager to program the radios prior to collection.
The equipment is very good and it will improve the command and control of any expedition not to mention the increased safety cover. If you have any questions about the radio set or its availability please give Steve Willson a call on Plymouth military 6099 or 01782 236099, or by fax on 6069. Please make use of this kit!
ditions were such that climbing, ski mountaineering and general mountaineering was able to go ahead without to many changes to plans. Climbing on Fluted Buttress, Central Gully. Spiral Gully and the Runnel in Sneachda and The Milky Way and The Vent in Lochan. All went well (if not a little chossy).
The only incident was when Ian Coxan tripped and fell whilst descending the Fiacaill of Corrie an t Sneachda. His leg injuries were quite severe and thankfully the Mountain Rescue Team, who were climbing near to where he fell were able to come to his assistance very quickly. His climbing partner Dougie Farquhar ensured he was kept safe until the big yellow taxi was able to lift him to Inverness. Ian then went on to enjoy an excellent Hogmanay in Raigmore hospital and is currently convalescing from his broken leg. Dougie Farquhar earned the nickname ‘son of MacDonald' and struggled to find a climbing partner for the rest of the meet.
New Year's eve found nearly everyone heading for the bright lights of Aviemore and a few quiet pints in the Winking Owl followed by a few extremely loud ones in the Karaoke bar at Red MacGregors. John Belsham and Ian Roberts led the way and managed to sing in just about every group that stood up, even if they weren’t wanted. The 'sad Signals’ contingent headed by Ski Sharp decided that the only way to spend the Hogmanay was to be in a snow hole! So a damp night was spent in the area of Garbh Coire, intending to climb Angel Ridge the next day. Unfortunately the climb was called off due to high winds. Maybe next year Ski!
More successful climbing, walking and bothying by AMA Chris Allewell and Andy Gallagher went on for a further 3 days until it was time to call the Ceilidh to a halt.
The New Year meet is essentially a very low key meet that allows people to carry out early season winter mountaineer­ ing, It is very informal and allows AMA members to climb and walk with old and new friends and just as importantly relax in the environment that we all hold dear.
Next years meet is to be held over the same period at the old JSMTC hut in Kingussie. Meet leader is:
Maj Alun Thomas Dental Centre Goojerat Bks Colchester
Tel: 94651 2814
A proforma with all the details is in the summer newsletter.
Adventure Nepal
Army Mountaineer
(
Tailor made trips to Nepal
for groups and individuals
Treks, trekking peaks, expeditions Adventurous training for service groups
BUFO VENTURES 3 Elim Grove, Windermere LA23 2JN ATOL 4821
Tel: 01539 445 445
Fax: 01539 447 753
Email: bufo@ btinternet.com
www.bufoventures.co.uk
\ ____________________________ _ ____________________________y