Outdoors Adult Brochure 2012

Outdoor Activities

Adult Programme Summer 2012

Falkirk Community Trust Outdoors On the 1st of July last year Falkirk Community Trust brought together all of Falkirk’s outdoor provisions under one banner. This offers our community groups an exiting new chapter in the outdoor activities history book.

Outdoor Activities Our commitment to running outdoor activities for residents in the Falkirk area has not changed. We offer the same full Summer Programme of varied activity days and trips as we did as we have as Falkirk Council Outdoor Activities and before that as Central Region Youth and Community Service.

Outdoor Activities Base Victoria Building Annexe Queen Street Falkirk FK2 7AF

Equipment

01324 506846 outdooractivities@falkirkcommunitytrust.org www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/outdoors

Don’t worry about having to shell out for lots of expensive new equipment. Our stores have a wide range of equipment available for most shapes and sizes and hire is included in all course prices.

Equipment list

Ben Venue from Loch Achray Cover photo: Climbing the Inaccessible Pinnacle on Skye

Bookings and Course Fees

To book a course please download a booking form and medical consent form from our webpage (link below). Full payment must be made before a course can be booked. All our course fees are dependant upon activities and staffing requirements. Details of prices can be found alongside our list of course dates.

Payment can be made by cash or cheque, payable to Falkirk Community Trust. Please send all bookings and medical consents to Outdoor Activities at the above address.

We are unable to take bookings over the telephone but please call us if you require information about any of our courses.

Adult booking form Adult medical consent form Booking and cancellation policy

mountain sport

50+ Rambles

Our long established Stravaiger and Tryst rambles take the over 50s on walks of up to 13km in duration on mostly easy paths with no significant height gain. The Stravaiger rambles leave from Victoria Buildings car park in Falkirk at 0915 every second Tuesday with the Tryst rambles departing from Foundry Loan car park in Larbert at 0930 on the alternate Tuesdays.

50+ Tryst dates

50+ Stravaiger dates

17/04/12

Code – YCM50T01

24/04/12

Code – YCM50S01

01/05/12

Code – YCM50T02

08/05/12

Code – YCM50S02

15/05/12

Code – YCM50T03

22/05/12

Code – YCM50S03

29/05/12

Code – YCM50T04

05/06/12

Code – YCM50S04

12/06/12

Code – YCM50T05

19/06/12

Code – YCM50S05

26/06/12

Code – YCM50T06

03/07/12

Code – YCM50S06

10/07/12

Code – YCM50T07

17/07/12

Code – YCM50S07

24/07/12

Code – YCM50T08

31/07/12

Code – YCM50S08

07/08/12

Code – YCM50T09

14/08/12

Code – YCM50S09

21/08/12

Code – YCM50T10

28/08/12

Code – YCM50S10

All 50+ Rambles cost £7.50

Stravaigers on Gullane Beach

high tops

High Tops team looking over Coire Lagan to the Great Stone Shute of Sgurr Alasdair on the Cuillin of Skye

High Tops

From the biggest Munro days to the most out of the way Corbetts we can take you there. Our days out on the mountains are justly famous for getting to the summits by interesting means whatever the weather.

All High Tops days begin at 0800 and cost £20

03/05/12

Stob Dubh & Beinn Ceitleinn Glen Etive 10.2km + 900 metres of ascent This Corbett is well seen from lower Glen Etive where it takes on a formidable profile. We will avoid this by gaining it via its Top, Beinn Ceitlein. Access will be from Alltchaorunn farm on the Etive road where we gain the ridge and ascend south west to eventually reach Stob Dubh. We’ll drop down to the Allt a Chaorainn from the col and follow this back round to the road.

Code – YCMHT01

17/05/12

Beinn Udlaidh & Beinn Bhreac-liath Glen Orchy 11.4km + 930 metres of ascent Accessed from Invergaunnan in Glen Orchy this pair of Corbetts offer an easy round with the added bonus (if the burn is low) of walking up the prominent quartzite dyke which is well seen from the A82. This volcanic feature takes us right up to the north ridge then onto Udlaidh’s summit. Easy scrambling leads past the col and up to the speckled grey hill’s summit where we turn north for an easy descent back down.

Code – YCMHT02

27/05/12

Glas Maol & Creag Leacach Glen Shee

White Coomb & Hart Fell Southern Uplands

9.5km + 725 metres of ascent

14.2km + 920 metres of ascent

These two Munros couldn’t be more contrasting: Glas Maol is a big rounded lump whereas Creag Leacach is a long rubbley ridge. This round starts at the lower car park by the Devil’s Elbow to avoid walking through the bulk of the ski paraphernalia. We ascend the Leacann Dubh onto Meall Odhar then follow the path up to Glas Maol. From here we descend the broad grassy slopes to the drystone dyke at the col which we will follow up to the stoney summit of Creag Leacach. An easy descent north west takes us down to our starting point.

A rare high tops outing to the Southern Uplands is proposed, taking in two of the three Corbetts in the area. We begin at the famous Grey Mare’s Tail, following the path up past the waterfall then cross onto the eastern shoulder of White Coomb. From here a steep path leads to the summit. There then follows a high tramp past Rotten Bottom to Hart Fell before we head down the corrie to pick up the track down Black Hope.

Code – YCMHT03

31/05/12

Creag Meagaidh Laggan 11.8km + 890m This massive mountain, almost a range in itself, is a great outing whichever way it is ascended. Our route will go up the south side from Moy, taking in the Creag na Cailliche ridge. A round of Coire Moy takes in the summit before descending An Cearcallach back to the A86.

Code – YCMHT04

14/06/12

Creag Mhor Mamlorn

Code – YCMHT06

28/06/12

Beinn Iutharn Mhor, Carn an Righ & Glas Tulaichean Glenshee 15.3km + 220 metres of ascent (bike), 13.3km + 1150 metres of ascent (walk) This big outing takes us into the heart of the Grampians to access three remote Munros.

Access by mountain bike on a good track will take the sting out of the approach. At the track head we continue on foot up Gleann Taitneach to Loch nan Eun where we ascend the col between Beinn Iutharn Mhor’s two Tops. We continue on to the Munro summit before descending south and contouring round to the east of Carn an Righ, our second Munro. After ascending this we return east and contour round to the north ridge of Glas Tulaichean, tick the Munro then return down the east ridge to the bikes and the track back.

17.7km + 910 metres of ascent

Bike Access

Lying at the western edge of Glen Lochay this Munro has two spectacular ridges. We ascend the eastern ridge, Sron nan Eun, after walking the long track from Kenknock. The descent will be by Allt Batavaim.

Code – YCMHT07

Code – YCMHT05

Crag day at Traprain Law

24/06/12

12/07/12

23/08/12

Ben Lui & Beinn a Chleibh Argyll

Beinn Bhreac & Beinn a Chaorainn Cairngorm

Ben Vorlich Lomond

8.5km + 1070 metres of ascent

15.4km + 250 metres of ascent (bike), 13.5km + 700 metres of ascent (walk)

10km + 990 metres of ascent

These two Munros are readily accessed from Glen Lochy to their north west. This approach does involve a river crossing (twice) so bring along old trainers for the wade. If the river is in spate there is a bridge downstream which would add another 5km to the distance walked. This round includes muddy forest paths and open hillside with some steep ascents.

Code – YCMHT08

22/07/12

An Socach Glen Clunie 12.6km + 310 metres of ascent (bike), 5.4km + 330 metres of ascent (walk) On this easy outing we tick another of the eastern Grampian Munros on our list. We will take bikes up the track from the A93 in upper Glen Clunie to ease the approach to the hill.

From the end of the track we walk straight up the hill to the shallow dip in the ridge.

The summit lies a short distance to the west.

Descent will take the same route.

Bike Access Code – YCMHT09

26/07/12

Sgurr Innse & Cruach Innse Lochaber 10km + 330 metres of ascent (bike), 8.3km + 730 metres of ascent (walk) These two rugged Corbetts lie to the east of the Lairig Leachach by the Grey Corries.

Biking up the track from Coirrechoille will make for swift access and egress. The plan is then to traverse Sgurr Innse first by its south west ridge before tackling Cruach Innse making this a relatively easy day out.

Bike Access Code – YCMHT10 Descending Binnean Beag in the Mamores

9/08/12

Mountain biking through the Caledonian pinewood in Glen Derry is one of the great ways of getting into the heart of the Cairngorms. This outing up two of the lesser ascended Cairngorm Munros starts at Linn of Dee where we cycle up Glen Lui past Derry Lodge where we start the ascent of Beinn Bhreac. After continuing on to Beinn a Chaorainn we descend to the Lairig an Louigh and walk back to the bikes. The biking is on good tracks, the walking is pathless on the hill but the going is good.

Bike Access Code – YCMHT11

19/08/12

Meall a Bhuiridh & Creise Blackmount 10.4km + 1100 metres of ascent This pair of linked Munros makes a great circuit if accessed from the west. If the River Etive is low we’ll cross it to gain the Creag Dubh ridge and begin a circuit of Cam Ghlean. This big coire reveals the Blackmount’s real character, similar to Bidean’s over the watershed in Glencoe. Meall a Bhuiridh gets ticked first followed by a steep pull up and on to Creise. If the water is high we will ascend from the White Corries.

Code – YCMHT12

A fine tramp up a Trossachs Munro is proposed here. This Vorlich has fantastic views over to Loch Lomond and to the west.

Ascent will be from Inveruglas where we take the Hydro track towards the Sloy dam and head up easy steep slopes to arrive on the ridge to the south of the summit. We will descend the south ridge down to the road.

Code – YCMHT13

Mountain Scrambles

From the Lochaber and Glencoe classics to the wilds of Ardgour or Arrochar, all the way over to the northern Cairngorms, our mountain scramble days are for folk who enjoy moving fast over technical terrain in spectacular settings. The nature of these scrambles means the participant should have previous experience of steep ground.

All Scrambles start at 0800 and costs £30

11/06/12

North Buttress (Grade 3) Glencoe This lovely route up one of Scotland’s most iconic mountains is a great experience. To be able to scramble on such a face with the whole of Rannoch Moor visible beneath your feet, finishing up on Buachaille Etive Mor’s summit, makes this arguably just as good a route as nearby Curved Ridge.

Code – YCRSC01

05/07/12

Pinnacle Ridge (Grade 2/3) Ardgour The rough mountain of Garbh Bheinn makes a fine silhouette when viewed from the Leven Bridge or Glencoe. Come and experience what it feels like to stand on this Corbett’s summit after scrambling up its famous Pinnacle Ridge – a fine exposed route through some impressive scenery.

Code – YCRSC02

Vic 76 years old our High Tops veteran

16/08/12

Aonach Eagach (Grade 2/3) Glencoe This outing is popular enough for us to run it at least once a year. It’s billed by some as the hardest scramble on the mainland but the moves are pretty straight forward if you are on a tight rope. Taking in two Munros, we start at the higher eastern end; we scramble towards the western seaboard.

Code – YCRSC03

Multi-pitch Climbing on Ardverikie Wall

Multi-pitch Climbing

Rock climbing in the mountains of the British Isles has been well established for over a century. From our central base we can access the Scottish Highlands or, just as easily, the English Lakes to ensure we get dry conditions on classic routes such as Ardverikie Wall, Recess Route, January Jigsaw, Savage Slit, King Bee, Engineer’s Slabs or Ardus.

Because of the nature of multi-pitch climbing we require participants to have previous rock climbing experience

Multi-pitch Climbing dates 02/05/12

Code – YCRMC01

16/05/12

Code – YCRMC02

26/05/12

Code – YCRMC03

30/05/12

Code – YCRMC04

13/06/12

Code – YCRMC05

23/06/12

Code – YCRMC06

27/06/12

Code – YCRMC07

11/07/12

Code – YCRMC08

21/07/12

Code – YCRMC09

25/07/12

Code – YCRMC10

08/08/12

Code – YCRMC11

18/08/12

Code – YCRMC12

22/08/12

Code – YCRMC13

All Multi-pitch Climbing starts at 0700 and costs £40

Mountain Navigation

Essential skills for safely getting on the hills in any weather at any time of day, these courses are for every hill goer from those wanting an introduction to navigation to folk wanting to brush up on their skills

Navigation 1 dates 03/7/12

Code – YCMNA101

11/08/12

Code – YCMNA102

Navigation 2 date 04/7/12

Code – YCMNA2

All Navigation days start at 0800 and costs £25

Crag day

This is a day at a single pitch crag aimed at all climbers from those starting out to folk just wanting to go for a climb.

Crag Day dates 19/05/12

Code – YCRCD1

26/06/12

Code – YCRCD2

25/08/12

Code – YCRCD3

All crag days start at 0900 and cost £20

Ropes for High Tops

This is a new course for anyone who would like to progress from hill walking to scrambling and get to grips with the basic rope systems we use. We will also look at different scenarios where the rope may be deployed in a hill walking setting.

Ropes for High Tops date 05/05/12

Code – YCRHT1

This Ropes for High Tops day starts at 0800 and costs £25

mountain trips

Wild camping by the Dubh Loch

Mountain Trips

Not all venues are accessible in a single day so we base ourselves in the local area to maximise our time out on the mountains.

The accommodation can range from tents to bothies to hostels.

20-23/05/12

Isle of Skye Trip This trip is for climbers and walkers. Climbers will be based at Portree for the first night and Glen Brittle hostel after. We plan to do some of the classic routes in Coire Laggan on Monday and Tuesday. If the weather is poor we can do some of the easier scrambles instead.

For the walkers we plan to walk the Trotternish ridge – one of the finest ridge walks in the country. The plan for the walkers is to stay in Portree on Sunday then get dropped off at Flodigarry on Monday to start the walk. We will be wild camping overnight on the ridge then walking down to Portee on Tuesday where we will get the bus to Sligachan (bus fare £4.90 – not included in course fee).There is a campsite and pub at Sligachan where we will stay (campsite cost not included in course fee). The ridge walk is 39km long, most of it pathless, with 2630 meters of ascent. Walkers will be given a kit list nearer the outing.

Camping equipment can be borrowed from the Base.

On Wednesday climbers and walkers will reunite for an ascent of Garbh-bheinn, via Belig for the walkers and via Sgurr nan Each for the climbers.

This trip starts at 1730 and costs £135 Isle of Skye walkers code – YCMIST1 Isle of Skye climbers code – YCMIST2

18–20/06/12

North Wales Trip This will be a combined trip of High Tops or climbing, so there will be something for every mountain enthusiast. We will be staying under canvas in campsite-based accommodation within easy reach of the whole of North Wales.

(Once numbers are confirmed there will be an option of staying in bunkhouse accommodation - not included in the price) Walkers: The itinerary is, of course, weather dependent but tentative plans are to do the welsh 3000’s. 3 days walking in the Snowdon, Glyder and Carneddau ranges will tick all 15 peaks Climbers: For the climber there is simply an abundance of road-side and mountain multi-pitch routes in famous venues such as Tremadog, Ogwen and Llanberis Passes and the mighty Gogarth. Previous climbing experience is essential.

This trip starts at 0700 and costs £90 for walkers or £150 for climbers North Wales walkers code – YCMNWT1 North Wales climbers code – TCMNWT2

3-5/08/12

High road to the Isles Corrour to Fort William A wild camping trip via the Grey Corries, Aonachs and The Ben 42km + 3000 metres of ascent total Day One: 15.6km + 820 metres of ascent Day Two: 13km + 1420 metres of ascent Day Three: 13.4km + 710 metres of ascent This trip begins with a drive to Bridge of Orchy where the train will take us on the West Highland Railway to Corrour station where the walk begins. From Loch Treig we head up the Lairig Leachach to the bothy then head up to the col between Stob Ban and the rest of the Grey Corries to wild camp. We will ascend Stob Ban that evening.

Day 2 – We traverse the Grey Corries including all three Munros of Stob Choire Claurich, Stob Coire an Laoigh and Sgurr Choinnich Mor, then Aonachs’ Beag and Mor to wild camp at the col at the foot of the east ridge of Carn Mor Dearg.

Day 3 – We ascend the east ridge to Carn Mor Dearg then do the classic CMD arête to the summit of Ben Nevis. We then descend the Tourist path down to Fort William and take the train back to Bridge of Orchy.

This will be a fairly strenuous trip. Foul weather contingency is to descend to Glen Nevis and complete the walk in the glens.

This trip starts at 0800 and costs £80 Code – YCMHRT1

27-28/08/12

Multi-pitch Climbing Trip This is a chance to extend our popular multipitch climbing days by camping overnight either at a campsite or wild. We will decide on the venue once we’ve checked the weather forecast. If it’s dry in the Highlands this will be our preferred choice but we have the Lake District as a back up.

This trip starts at 0700 and costs £90 Code – YCMCCT1

rock and water

Canyoning

From the dryer technical gorges to the full on big canyon descents we will get you up or down safely. Canyoning (or canyoneering if you’re from the States) is a worldwide growing outdoor pursuits phenomenon. All our canyon days are staffed by appropriately trained instructors with a passion for exploring the hidden away gorge systems in the country.

It is essential for participants to have a good level of water confidence for this activity.

Canyoning dates 07/06/12

Code – YCRWCA1

26/08/12

Code – YCRWCA2

Coasteering

The rapidly growing sport of Coasteering is justly popular around the sea cliffs of Scotland and beyond. If you enjoy exploring our inshore waters intimately we offer enough thrills like scrambling, swimming and jumping in to keep the enthusiast happy.

Coasteering date 29/06/12

Code – YCRWCO1

All canyon days start at 0900 and cost £25

All Canyon days start at 0900 and cost £25

Canyoning under the falls of Bruar

paddlesport

Paddlesport

Summer is a great time to experience Scotland’s wild places on the water. Our kayaking days can either get you started in the sport or help you with coaching or gaining star awards. Whether your passion is for touring the bigger lochs, exploring the inshore seascape or taking on river descents we can help with skills and confidence – not to forget putting a big smile on your face.

Learn to kayak

Loch-based kayaking for beginners or improvers. This is a great way to explore the waterways and get wet.

Learn to kayak dates 09/06/12

Code – YCKLK1

14/07/12

Code – YCKLK2

06/08/12

Code – YCKLK3

13/08/12

Code – YCKLK4

All learn to kayak days start at 0900 and cost £20

Learn to canoe

River Kayaking

A day trip on one of our local grade 2/3 rivers.

A chance to experience white water for the first time or just enjoy a day on the river.

Coaching is available for those wanting to progress their ability.

River kayaking dates 13/05/12

Code – YCKRK1

17/06/12

Code – YCKRK2

15/07/12

Code – YCKRK3

13/08/12

Code – YCKRK4

All river kayaking days begin at 0900 and cost £25

Canoe Trip

These days are aimed at folk who want to explore our fantastic Lochs. The Trossachs are easily accessible from Falkirk and there are many places there where it’s easy to forget we’re living I the 21st Century.

Canoe trip dates 10/06/12

Code – YCCCT1

08/07/12

Code – YCCCT2

30/07/12

Code – YCCCT3

Canoeing or open boating is a relaxing way to get around our inland waterways. Either in tandem or single boats we can improve your paddling.

All river kayaking days begin at 0900 and cost £20

Learn to canoe dates

Kayak Touring

07/05/12

Code – YCCLC1

16/06/12

Code – YCCLC2

07/07/12

Code – YCCLC3

23/07/12

Code – YCCLC4

All learn to canoe days start at 0900 and cost £20

We will use sea kayaks or touring kayaks on this day to set you on the path or improve your paddle touring skills on the water. The venue will be an inland loch but the skills will be transferable to inshore waters.

Kayak touring date 14/05/12

Code – YCKKT1

All river kayaking days begin at 0900 and cost £25 Kayakers on the River Awe

At A Glance Summer 2012 May

June

July

August

50+ Ramble Tryst

50+ Ramble Stravaigers

50+ Ramble Stravaigers Navigation 1

Road to the Isles Trip

01

05

03

02

07

03

09

Navigation 2

05

10

Mountain Scramble

11

Learn to Canoe

12

Canoe Trip

Multi-pitch Climb High Tops Ropes for igh High Tops 07

Learn to Canoe 08

Canyoning Learn to Canoe Canoe Trip Mountain Scramble

50+ Ramble

50+ Ramble Tryst

Stravaigers

13

13

Multi-pitch Climb

04 05 07 08 10

50+ Ramble Tryst 11

14

Multi-pitch Climb

Learn to Kayak (Touring)

16

High Tops

15

17

Learn to Kayak

18

Kayak River Trip

19

50+ Ramble Stravaigers

Kayak River Trip 14

50+ Ramble Tryst 16

Multi-pitch Climb 17

High Tops 19

Crag Day 20

Skye Trip 21

Skye Trip 22

Skye Trip 50+ Ramble Stravaigers 23

Skye Trip 27

High Tops 29

50+ Ramble Tryst 31

High Tops

High Tops Learn to Kayak Kayak River Trip North Wales Trip 50+ Ramble Stravaigers North Wales Trip

12 14 15 17

21

Multi-pitch Climb

20

22

23

23

24

24

North Wales Trip Multi-pitch Climb High Tops 26

High Tops Learn to Canoe 50+ Ramble Tryst

50+ Ramble Tryst Crag Day

25

27

High Tops

Multi-pitch Climb 28

High Tops 29

Coasteering

Multi-pitch Climb 26 30

Canoe Trip 31

50+ Ramble Stravaigers

03 04

Road to the Isles Trip 05

Road to the Isles Trip 06

Learn to Kayak 07

50+ Ramble Tryst 08

Multi-pitch Climb 09

High Tops 11

Navigation 1 13

Kayak River Trip 14

50+ Ramble Stravaigers 16

Mountain Scramble 18

Multi-pitch Climb 19

High Tops 21

50+ Ramble Tryst 22

Multi-pitch Climb 23

High Tops 25

Crag Day 26

Canyoning 27

Multi-pitch Climbing Trip 28

Multi-pitch Climbing Trip 50+ Ramble Stravaigers