FAQ
How do I join?
Before joining it’s best to try a couple of club trips to see if you like us! Have a look through the day and weekend meets lists on this website and then contact the Meet Secretary here to book a place on a club meet. Please give your full name, address, and phone numbers so we can contact you and so that we have your full details in the event of an emergency!. Also, please tell the Meet Secretary a bit about your previous experience of hillwalking or climbing. If you haven’t done much hillwalking before it is probably best to start with a summer day meet.
If you have some general questions about the club or are just a bit unsure about coming on a club meet feel free to contact us using the enquiries form here
Once you have attended two club meets you will be able to apply for membership of the club. After your application has been approved by the club, which is normally a formality, and you have paid your membership subscription, you will receive the monthly club newsletter. Membership of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is also available to club members by paying an additional fee along with your club subscription. This fee is currently substantially less than the MCofS individual membership fee. Membership of the MCofS provides a number of benefits to club members including civil liability insurance and a subscription to ‘The Scottish Mountaineer’ magazine.
I’m not sure about going on a club trip on my own
We are not too scary honest! If you do not want to go away for a whole weekend, try a day meet or come along just for the Saturday of a weekend meet. Or email Catriona, our enquiries officer here and she will try and persuade you to come along!
How do I get to the venue?
Members normally use their own cars to get to the meet locations. We try to car share where possible so if you have space in your car please let the relevant meet coordinator know when booking. If you do not have your own transport ask the meet coordinator if a lift is available. On day meets, if there are sufficient people, then a bus might be arranged.
How many people normally attend meets?
Weekend meets are quite popular with 20-25 being almost the norm these days. Members will normally divide off into small groups rather than walking in one big group. Day meets numbers tend to be more variable and can be in the region of 5 to 10 people.
Do you have group leaders and graded walks
No! The meets are informally arranged with small groups of members doing different activities. It will be entirely up to you to decide where you want to walk, but club members will be able to make suggestions if required.
What does everyone do about food on weekend meets?
Most people will bring their own food with them to cook and some will club together in a small group to share food/cooking chores. Others will go for a meal in the nearest pub! Having 25 people in the kitchen can make things slightly chaotic so quick and easy meals are a good idea especially when you are starving!
I haven’t done much hill walking, can I still attend a club trip?
If you haven’t done any hillwalking at all we would recommend that you attend an “introduction to hill walking” course run by a qualified hill walking instructor. Try contacting your nearest outdoor education centre or Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre at Glenmore Lodge.
If you have done a bit of hill walking before try a summer day meet or a summer weekend meet first.
I’m an experienced summer hill walker but have never done any winter hill walking, can I attend a winter trip?
If you haven’t done any winter hillwalking at all we would recommend that you attend an “introduction to winter hill walking” course run by a qualified instructor. Try contacting your nearest outdoor education centre or Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre at Glenmore Lodge. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland also run subsidised winter skills courses at Glenmore Lodge ever year.
If you have done some winter hill walking then you are quite welcome to attend a winter weekend trip, however, please bear in mind that Carn Dearg members will not ‘guide’ you on walks/climbs. You will be entirely responsible for your own safety. The club will however allow you to learn from more experienced club members and therefore improve your own skills.
What should I bring?
Suggested summer hill walking kit list
- 35 litre Rucsac & waterproof liner
- Waterproof Jacket & Trousers (preferably made of a “breathable” fabric e.g. Goretex)
- Lightweight quick drying walking trousers
- Fleece Jacket or other warm top
- Warm Hat & Gloves
- Sun hat, sun glasses and sun cream (it is sometimes sunny!)
- Hill walking boots
- Map, Map case & compass
- 1 litre Water bottle & high energy food.
- Small first aid kit, whistle, and a plastic survival bag.
- Midgie head net and insect repellant
Suggested winter hill walking kit list
- 45 Litre Rucsac & waterproof liner
- Breathable Waterproof Jacket & Trousers
- Fleece walking trousers
- Fleece Jacket and pullover
- Warm Hat & neck warmer or balaclava & Gloves + spares
- Wicking, thermal base layers
- Leather mountain walking boots (must be able to take crampons)
- Gaitors
- Ski Goggles
- Map, Map case & compass
- 1 litre Water bottle , Flask & high energy food.
- Small first aid kit, whistle & torch (with spare batteries).
- Plastic survival bag or emergency shelter
- Emergency clothing e.g. spare fleece or insulated jacket
- 55-65cm hill walkers ice axe
- 10 point crampons adjusted to fit your boots
Suggested weekend kit list
- Sleeping bag and insulated mat
- Food - 2 X breakfasts, 1 evening meal and food for two days hill walking e.g. sandwiches and chocolate etc. After a hard day on the hill you might also want some liquid refreshment of the alcoholic variety on Sat evening. Most huts have cooking pots, plates and kitchen utensils etc.
- Change of clothes.
- Many huts have the luxury of a hot shower.
- For camping trips you will need all the usual camping paraphernalia:
- tent
- camping stove & fuel & matches
- pots & pans and utensils