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| Sheltering from the cold |
What a wonderful sight and feel to see fresh snow falling and below freezing temperatures on your face today. After a very long spell of mild, way above freezing temperatures we have at last gone back into what January should be.
Today I was running a Winter skills course for 5 members of the Edinburgh Young Walkers Club. All new to the winter hills. The storms from the previous days had abated and it was a calm morning in the Cairngorms. The forecast for gales to return again in the afternoon.
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| Step cutting |
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| Crampons |
Despite a lack of snow lower down the hill we were soon cutting steps and cramponing on ribbons of hard, refrozen snow just above Coire Cas.
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| Shelted area |
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| Something steeper |
Above 900m there was rime ice and a sprinkling of fresh snow. Brilliant. We headed over to Ciste Mhearad, a reliable spot for old snow and sheltered from the Southerly winds.
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| Luncheon in comfort |
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| Good here |
Some great conditions for cramponing and even a comfortable snow shelter for lunchtime. In the afternoon we finished off with some sliding.
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| Great snow |
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| Great fun |
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| Harry off exploring |
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| Ice axe arresting |
On our way off the hill the winds had increased and a steady snowfall by 3.30pm. Windy Ridge certainly lived up to its name. It was gusting at 60mph e en at 800m. A splattering of snow at Coire Cas carpark.
Top day with really nice folk.
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