STEEP GROUND & NAVIGATION

Sue & John enjoying the views

More fresh snow on the Fiacaill

Dodgy looking cornices over Hells Lum

Excellent hard snow

Cairngorm plateau, looks like the Arctic

More rime

Happy winter walkers

No views today

But better over at Loch Avon

Sun desperately trying to break through over Hells Lum

John enjoying the atmospheric snow

Sue & John were out with me today for a recap on some winter skills and a day out in The Cairngorms. They have previously been on a winter course so were looking for a refresher day and some confidence to get out under their own steam. Despite a good looking weather forecast with a promise of clear skies and sun we got neither. It has been very cold overnight and well below freezing on the higher tops. There had been a few fresh cm's of snow overnight and rime ice had grown since yesterday. We headed up onto the Fiacaill ridge after a run down on axe and crampons lower down the hill. After the Fiacaill we had an afternoon of navigation. It was poor visibility on the plateau for much of the time. We headed over toward Hells Lum and got the best views of the day. Full snow cover on the plateau so good conditions for ski touring I would say. We had the rest of the day to ourselves and it resembled the Arctic has we navigated back down to the Northern Corries. Another top day in the freezer.