TARMACHAN MOUNTAINEERING: MARCH - THE FINEST WINTER MONTH

Tuesday 1 March 2022

MARCH - THE FINEST WINTER MONTH

Hells Lum under the sun

I say it every year, March is always the finest winter month. Well I love winter full stop but March brings long days, lots of snow and (sometimes) kinder weather. Well it was definitely a very kind weather day today for Heather & Steve who booked a 1 day introduction to winter hillwalking with me. A day of wall to wall sun, no wind and superb snow conditions. That's all you could ever wish for.

Coire an Lochain

We made the most of the fine conditions by heading over to the finest views in the entire Cairngorms.

Fine morning and great snow conditions

From Coire Cas carpark we walked on firm snow all the way into Coire an Lochain. The overnight temperatures had dropped significantly and frozen up the snowpack. These conditions are what we hope for. All the days of post holing were soon forgotten. It was a joy.

That view

Superb snow cover

After leaving the 'Macdui Motorway' we had peace away from the crowds. The finest scenery in the entire Cairngorms awaited us. We sat and had lunch in the sun, afterwards taking a beautiful tour in the Loch A'an basin.

Hells Lum

Hells Lum crag

Shelterstone Crag

What a beautiful afternoon. We were down to just a couple of layers in the afternoon. We left the magnificent views around Loch A'an and headed over to the Northern Corries.

Heading up to Coire Domhain

What a backdrop

Sunshine again

It was late afternoon by the time we wandered across to 1141m. The sun Still high at 4pm. March really is a fabulous month, especially when you get a day like today! The Chais ridge was well icy and you would have trouble getting up or down this without crampons today. If you only had microspikes you would indeed be asking for trouble. Microspikes are not suitable for steep mountain sides, regardless of what some people may state and advise you.