ALPINE CAIRNGORMS

 

Coire an t-sneachda 

Gaby is out on a 2 day winter course this week with me. In preparation for his Mont Blanc climbing trip in Summer he is keen to get some essential axe and crampon skills plus a whole host of other vital snowcraft experience. 

Ice and snow early morning 

Cutting steps 

It was 'Alpine conditions ' again today in the Cairngorms. Warm temperatures,  blue skies and no wind. I could get used to this. We walked into Coire an t-sneachda,  very quiet at the carpark and walk in. The snow in the shade was still firm and solid. The sun soon got to work on it and it softened up by late morning. 

The lochans ice

Brilliant to be out in these conditions after putting up battle with high winds for a good chunk of this winter.

Fabulous snow

Coire Domhain 

Fiacaill Buttress 

We took a wander across the plateau which is still with excellent snow cover despite the warm temperatures in the afternoon. 

Snow hole still going strong 

Cornices fragile and about to collapse

Full snow cover on Ben Macdui

Beinn Mheadhoin 

We descended the Cas Headwall to prolong the day and get some descent movement with axe and crampons. 

Descending into Coire Cas

Alpine snow,  Cas Headwall 

A great 1st day for Gaby who has never set foot on a Scottish mountain before. I told him it is always like this in winter. 😉