WINTER DAY ON BRAERIACH

Andrew enjoying winter on Braeriach

Biking in the snow

Wind and snow

The joys of winter walking

Braeriach summit success!

Cornices and rime on Braeriach's gullies

Lairig Ghru

Lurchers Crag

For the first time this season we had snow down to Aviemore level and sub zero temperatures outside the house. Well timed for return client Andrew and his winter day out on Braeriach! Andrew has been out with me several times and we've had some great days and big days out. For today's outing he talked his brother, William, into having a taste of winter Munro walking too. This was William's first time out in winter.If you're going to start winter walking then what finer place to start than on Braeriach. The third highest summit in the UK and one of the remotest Munros. Throw in some wild winter weather and you have the makings of a grand day out hillwalking! We biked in to the Lairig Ghru from the house this morning. Just has we saddled up the snow started falling in the streets of Aviemore. It continued snowing steadily for much of the day. It was relatively calm and good visibility in the lower reaches of the Lairig Ghru. Once we got higher up on the long, featureless Sron na Lairig ridge the weather closed in and the visibility disappeared. The map and compass came out and shotly after the ski goggles were on. It was gusting above 50mph above 1000m and some drifting snow made some tough walking conditions. The guys did a brilliant job and we reached the summit 5 hours after leaving Aviemore. Winter walking isn't all about ice axes and crampons. Today's skills were perseverance, stamina, good clothing, good navigation and good humour! Winter is here!