tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5825148559041909182024-03-16T01:11:07.259+00:00TARMACHAN MOUNTAINEERINGBased in Aviemore, The Cairngorms, Highlands of Scotland.
Gary Hodgson runs Tarmachan Mountaineering, providing instruction and guided walking all year round. This is my regularly updated blog including the latest snow conditions in winter.Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.comBlogger2688125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-38105189290205939882024-03-13T16:49:00.003+00:002024-03-13T16:49:29.373+00:00IT'S STILL WINTER<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRzW9q6rUHRDCdgEws2OPK5tM3flDNZKOox0uy9d0Yo40Uu7ra9Z8qsS65oRppLj1pF6oEYrplCmL8JUhICnSqNCLvGacFgjcHWAKHrH0cWX0iVEU2Bva0fLgrMhq_7oVXiZM_X0seQ1pyKxdMqB0iiB39QoV_AhbeIji1EUZ35hdYjNuOA7mykusguI/s2048/429813629_7485768744791915_748519475071469074_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRzW9q6rUHRDCdgEws2OPK5tM3flDNZKOox0uy9d0Yo40Uu7ra9Z8qsS65oRppLj1pF6oEYrplCmL8JUhICnSqNCLvGacFgjcHWAKHrH0cWX0iVEU2Bva0fLgrMhq_7oVXiZM_X0seQ1pyKxdMqB0iiB39QoV_AhbeIji1EUZ35hdYjNuOA7mykusguI/w640-h480/429813629_7485768744791915_748519475071469074_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabulous mid afternoon light, CMD arete, Ben Nevis</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>My blog has been getting a bit neglected in the last couple of weeks. I've been busy on various courses since early March. I've been running 1 and 2 day winter skills courses, a CMD arete on Ben Nevis weekend with success! The winds were calm and the views splendid. Two groups of return clients. One on a recap on skills, the other a winter Munro course. Lots of content on my FB pages which are more regular but here's some images from the last 10 days or so. It's still winter! Despite the temperature fluctuations and gales we ware still very much in winter, will be until at least mid April. If you're looking for some last minute winter adventures then it's there for the taking! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFzu_2jLlUI94NQoO2yhcHm6oYwEQ8wLObmlEOdIdbdPrdos_kcuAYrx60DmOJrQo7VU6lr6D9r38ZE5sD5H7hQrheljR6WS03VWf_sfSKVI-fFqD5CBtt19w49361ZG-fhiumqCoVvmFKp3QklxOSJi8IZEPE8jsNwYbTRfWFsgjvlLr4awYjCuaR-A/s2048/417538445_7496937143675075_3400779202166224713_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFzu_2jLlUI94NQoO2yhcHm6oYwEQ8wLObmlEOdIdbdPrdos_kcuAYrx60DmOJrQo7VU6lr6D9r38ZE5sD5H7hQrheljR6WS03VWf_sfSKVI-fFqD5CBtt19w49361ZG-fhiumqCoVvmFKp3QklxOSJi8IZEPE8jsNwYbTRfWFsgjvlLr4awYjCuaR-A/w640-h426/417538445_7496937143675075_3400779202166224713_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabulous day with Lana who was on a Mountain Hare workshop with me</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-RdsTFtZz75yIVWk490VvyqzW8N9MBR50UGnArSl91lsUhNZKXJZpy7di6KUF6e9QIm35esNSOD17_aI-gNS9emHEdu_xeRTPHON0rodfuBvap4JDIw65cJEJ5enMb2sSrKSiMVPNHuF0vsw_0K4mD9eo6Op1dkwDFIGGVdSs3OjnmOGM746fs0gBTU/s2048/429687270_7485767158125407_7811119207022198412_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-RdsTFtZz75yIVWk490VvyqzW8N9MBR50UGnArSl91lsUhNZKXJZpy7di6KUF6e9QIm35esNSOD17_aI-gNS9emHEdu_xeRTPHON0rodfuBvap4JDIw65cJEJ5enMb2sSrKSiMVPNHuF0vsw_0K4mD9eo6Op1dkwDFIGGVdSs3OjnmOGM746fs0gBTU/w640-h480/429687270_7485767158125407_7811119207022198412_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mamores from the CMD arete</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uzrOv6LR5JbXBihe9jzx6tP420UuoG05dFw3p_JjDhq3xdjcetZSpvEfqEyMwTow1NX7Mvmhz3rhLG7aOFLZYGPfhUoFbw2zXyZVSgb7oEN0ypdWbd7BmB9MrVbsYs7wWs34JGfu60VwKB2zfJSRWrDR1y0O04ybByY0jLeXw6AkMy8OVKE6UTSCC5s/s2048/429688583_7485766178125505_7603514000200061576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uzrOv6LR5JbXBihe9jzx6tP420UuoG05dFw3p_JjDhq3xdjcetZSpvEfqEyMwTow1NX7Mvmhz3rhLG7aOFLZYGPfhUoFbw2zXyZVSgb7oEN0ypdWbd7BmB9MrVbsYs7wWs34JGfu60VwKB2zfJSRWrDR1y0O04ybByY0jLeXw6AkMy8OVKE6UTSCC5s/w640-h480/429688583_7485766178125505_7603514000200061576_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mal & Charlie in silhouette, CMD</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNyRj8xkvJCA3-k_Y9OijmusuM4pAf27ITiPx9bU-J_YA2R0yJkWhEFNelGT7CrrmKtMwKdgiraSx9UTsImUrLnbThaZPBWkoak6cAqDgfT5NGz5-qF9J0BCzmzAYVWBewqgifJbBEKTkWlrY6iiDjfHFp-H_N5AcVuPZsvkcfnVBv6IQcCbLdIW1QDI/s2048/429684005_7489222214446568_3222038622883828270_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNyRj8xkvJCA3-k_Y9OijmusuM4pAf27ITiPx9bU-J_YA2R0yJkWhEFNelGT7CrrmKtMwKdgiraSx9UTsImUrLnbThaZPBWkoak6cAqDgfT5NGz5-qF9J0BCzmzAYVWBewqgifJbBEKTkWlrY6iiDjfHFp-H_N5AcVuPZsvkcfnVBv6IQcCbLdIW1QDI/w640-h480/429684005_7489222214446568_3222038622883828270_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aonach Mor, Navigation day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgato9HijIonGFbMNYMfK79J9T-OgRNQ6LyefcPpPEOddjbrWrvjtpZErw0V0_XAXlJ125BsvC3JEIJtFQnnbhtS_wtde1rDxZc6B1vfaoeeqmrE9zd-c0m5aa2fY5Hn05bdD0zStPW0vG2_H673oacTVErz30poWEIYmvPp0wLxyX-ZTjWTldvTeNhYzM/s2048/429808633_7485765814792208_7322429441408936337_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgato9HijIonGFbMNYMfK79J9T-OgRNQ6LyefcPpPEOddjbrWrvjtpZErw0V0_XAXlJ125BsvC3JEIJtFQnnbhtS_wtde1rDxZc6B1vfaoeeqmrE9zd-c0m5aa2fY5Hn05bdD0zStPW0vG2_H673oacTVErz30poWEIYmvPp0wLxyX-ZTjWTldvTeNhYzM/w640-h480/429808633_7485765814792208_7322429441408936337_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CMD arete, Ben Nevis</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMHkhiJQ_oiuuFJ8UCeB7rZg5BO1sT2HrVGc6C9sLsN4_LiQGji3AUq9UsxTBmih64GvVRvdogXw8t_qLhA9l-aW_llEePoCuZWYaWWoJ1ZtfrtOU4kRNC9OSYH0vFf5BFBwf5qZYI93YyAjDc954SKvLHYsVtPEJRlrB-Cf9GxHVwUcO2rbsS4IsRV0/s2048/429864495_7509185129116943_8499368138600153417_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMHkhiJQ_oiuuFJ8UCeB7rZg5BO1sT2HrVGc6C9sLsN4_LiQGji3AUq9UsxTBmih64GvVRvdogXw8t_qLhA9l-aW_llEePoCuZWYaWWoJ1ZtfrtOU4kRNC9OSYH0vFf5BFBwf5qZYI93YyAjDc954SKvLHYsVtPEJRlrB-Cf9GxHVwUcO2rbsS4IsRV0/w640-h480/429864495_7509185129116943_8499368138600153417_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neil hiding from the stormy weather, Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0TOHCiD_BAg08_J5NnZd-_sgPDzdtq4q6AUfae1SppHvIV_KCL1IiZ7e0jQw9EkPympE_JAIZ4UyP0ExmNCvDILKEpHsXuSjTCnPRAglLpSr_svIS0mPWrlH0JzCZ0Mz3LQgCjj3W3Yu2-Tt2ITi19EBnUJfkWH-xyavpcUy8cfKbPXGH7P9lIc6-88/s2048/429865014_7509183295783793_9085642257902854440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0TOHCiD_BAg08_J5NnZd-_sgPDzdtq4q6AUfae1SppHvIV_KCL1IiZ7e0jQw9EkPympE_JAIZ4UyP0ExmNCvDILKEpHsXuSjTCnPRAglLpSr_svIS0mPWrlH0JzCZ0Mz3LQgCjj3W3Yu2-Tt2ITi19EBnUJfkWH-xyavpcUy8cfKbPXGH7P9lIc6-88/w640-h480/429865014_7509183295783793_9085642257902854440_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire an t-sneachda, getting shelter from the winds, 1 day intro to hillwalking</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-4UcI3PCoj-dRbPZAm-K6u0Gr7alWRUPRK4SGplI2q5ozjJC7Gtr6duVhulv8Wb4O74Hv7HI-T0lfEaNNeTjfOyLnmbk5xHqLW5EMQX5ITmemgrK82pamKMsnnJ3pXro3ljvWvOSuC9ErEGivd_35O9bDPicG-zkDlAv6_2bo6TtahTreNewXLbZDVU/s2048/429889163_7513451245356998_5884171169945195826_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-4UcI3PCoj-dRbPZAm-K6u0Gr7alWRUPRK4SGplI2q5ozjJC7Gtr6duVhulv8Wb4O74Hv7HI-T0lfEaNNeTjfOyLnmbk5xHqLW5EMQX5ITmemgrK82pamKMsnnJ3pXro3ljvWvOSuC9ErEGivd_35O9bDPicG-zkDlAv6_2bo6TtahTreNewXLbZDVU/w640-h480/429889163_7513451245356998_5884171169945195826_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Return clients on Sgor Gaoithe summit, a relatively calm day!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXMUJ3IYBG2lgQ65mS9qyL50wCPiCRjC_Arngsdr8z12hh8MROce8ipj95rgl4FiaM3LuCyaXX_Ut9NjWtWzwx_DGLiFvOGDspqyt-DBSdJpmdTnSuSrcYVG4LgZyyV0_-nIexJ1xZTxDLcD64-3Pe02_XxNTq2taA8U1ISrpUpwsFQ7_LkzzOcds-Kw/s2048/429853341_7489221171113339_3660190361884714776_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXMUJ3IYBG2lgQ65mS9qyL50wCPiCRjC_Arngsdr8z12hh8MROce8ipj95rgl4FiaM3LuCyaXX_Ut9NjWtWzwx_DGLiFvOGDspqyt-DBSdJpmdTnSuSrcYVG4LgZyyV0_-nIexJ1xZTxDLcD64-3Pe02_XxNTq2taA8U1ISrpUpwsFQ7_LkzzOcds-Kw/w640-h480/429853341_7489221171113339_3660190361884714776_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cornices, Aonch Mor, Navigation course</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyVtD7yIdADQLDlleXAXgvCmvv9M-bOpVV_xS3q7hun2QPDsAoPB3ltZbjQzyVAA-C-GNh1kYCQDcYkSVErMTTdBn9HgWte08epOLzWfe7r3hOQIt193frH_PxurxyMpwh2vX8UV7OSMMew18gK5IBG6CIz9FEjwEsU4fxZCTIv74VIpXO_J5fM-OWKE/s2048/430789867_7520640017971454_8421917093899369203_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyVtD7yIdADQLDlleXAXgvCmvv9M-bOpVV_xS3q7hun2QPDsAoPB3ltZbjQzyVAA-C-GNh1kYCQDcYkSVErMTTdBn9HgWte08epOLzWfe7r3hOQIt193frH_PxurxyMpwh2vX8UV7OSMMew18gK5IBG6CIz9FEjwEsU4fxZCTIv74VIpXO_J5fM-OWKE/w480-h640/430789867_7520640017971454_8421917093899369203_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelley enjoying the winter wonderland</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyt7Ipm5L-0hPG4Ys-dVw9QqdPhHHQ6W-84o4QXUp-2HghFxjKQq-1k4x4LD2Qb1cEJV8rO54GWXiLUkjYl8bcYsw4ME-gsjqYbHVHZI1g48eRPCyFiadve1DuAFkrs2OQEMH18wXGdeZK1O2sYL0QOesN0dCRq8B6s6JeRTIgA3RAG69MAiYGXAn2ds/s2048/430797068_7520641541304635_2780188196424939534_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyt7Ipm5L-0hPG4Ys-dVw9QqdPhHHQ6W-84o4QXUp-2HghFxjKQq-1k4x4LD2Qb1cEJV8rO54GWXiLUkjYl8bcYsw4ME-gsjqYbHVHZI1g48eRPCyFiadve1DuAFkrs2OQEMH18wXGdeZK1O2sYL0QOesN0dCRq8B6s6JeRTIgA3RAG69MAiYGXAn2ds/w640-h480/430797068_7520641541304635_2780188196424939534_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Return clients, Shelley & Darren on Cairn Gorm</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewMrKd7XVMT4tXi19ev002FTaV3MT14qdKooLQiCj4WXerRGmeewD_9Jp2jnkyC21bfNIfrj33EN32_rNjeQNjZZ8kmTbTrWIZY7xfPFVU3Jm1Fw67UUJIWp9SzqCCtr2AUR6KLDNld94wgn1h3x2EVZPFlPaDndOAMrktbfxoNUR9GVeMLkukKpSrCw/s2048/430797591_7485765271458929_41133141379746940_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewMrKd7XVMT4tXi19ev002FTaV3MT14qdKooLQiCj4WXerRGmeewD_9Jp2jnkyC21bfNIfrj33EN32_rNjeQNjZZ8kmTbTrWIZY7xfPFVU3Jm1Fw67UUJIWp9SzqCCtr2AUR6KLDNld94wgn1h3x2EVZPFlPaDndOAMrktbfxoNUR9GVeMLkukKpSrCw/w640-h480/430797591_7485765271458929_41133141379746940_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabulous day on the CMD arete for Mal & Charlie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvrgGWjUjN-d0f8xvolbiNoyPGyU4VOj5sHCAleQBIAX7m03my1Fa8uOfdbyryep1YAYT2wMPYHthkpeclcKEoCyedH2v-_feHOQX5s7QJe6fStoSyVg5iuHFcyPaJnXstDqQgEBfBdtQTif-H5gd2UGYbSd_v2FfC6KlTv62SZywbuYf7hkO9BjW5Co/s2048/430816419_7520641411304648_4517909976956673799_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvrgGWjUjN-d0f8xvolbiNoyPGyU4VOj5sHCAleQBIAX7m03my1Fa8uOfdbyryep1YAYT2wMPYHthkpeclcKEoCyedH2v-_feHOQX5s7QJe6fStoSyVg5iuHFcyPaJnXstDqQgEBfBdtQTif-H5gd2UGYbSd_v2FfC6KlTv62SZywbuYf7hkO9BjW5Co/w640-h480/430816419_7520641411304648_4517909976956673799_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love Rime Ice</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtQMty5B59rWQJLWIaPhxIKpJpWfQ17qH0fRewLDxWK9ksJOzo9P9YK5WbQaRS4mfJfsq04wLwW9IgH0AqUAgf5oILCKj0VMWhCs2odthudV8NEdIcs8lH7P51wTWglQz6cCCdA78ltdnbHO_1_fYd8yoz2h8RSrp8fDq6vfFIRZR5qH1TS-M53D21Wc/s2048/430816207_7520640391304750_8150466170687930578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtQMty5B59rWQJLWIaPhxIKpJpWfQ17qH0fRewLDxWK9ksJOzo9P9YK5WbQaRS4mfJfsq04wLwW9IgH0AqUAgf5oILCKj0VMWhCs2odthudV8NEdIcs8lH7P51wTWglQz6cCCdA78ltdnbHO_1_fYd8yoz2h8RSrp8fDq6vfFIRZR5qH1TS-M53D21Wc/w640-h480/430816207_7520640391304750_8150466170687930578_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely and quiet this time of year</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DoORnm6l2ndZwN14SeSsanG_3soihPFdEb2gMHdfolnkU9FoKRXnKQse2xooytgkDb0WvWre-GIeYQVRZ40agWuAAPG5-bvWlQQ1y4WUwAhcXrYY8Od5OxqV3ZB5VHAwnQZHboft5VOgl94YnbY8cG_Kp1ujsOLnRpixRRSmRyUCqOfEAcO3vqnV5Zs/s2048/430822929_7513449785357144_5950734175910663480_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DoORnm6l2ndZwN14SeSsanG_3soihPFdEb2gMHdfolnkU9FoKRXnKQse2xooytgkDb0WvWre-GIeYQVRZ40agWuAAPG5-bvWlQQ1y4WUwAhcXrYY8Od5OxqV3ZB5VHAwnQZHboft5VOgl94YnbY8cG_Kp1ujsOLnRpixRRSmRyUCqOfEAcO3vqnV5Zs/w640-h480/430822929_7513449785357144_5950734175910663480_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent snow cover above 800m, Sgor Gaoithe</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGIcl3pE-35XWMEG4eHSgGXwHgjnvOmB_aKXEXIvDGzT7A-xa5jIp54it9LumiLGQVpw2H4NRz7nyEj-VRkz1EkHuRPjANhZQFfGH-0RovL-f_2mk3PmMWGIgVK5POlY0-p02EGtQ3boKpUlrZt-tKrLIKe1xWJnMpdhgBSx_wR26Ah0nGdiEFZn98Lk/s2048/417485956_7505021246199998_2874311376694736079_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGIcl3pE-35XWMEG4eHSgGXwHgjnvOmB_aKXEXIvDGzT7A-xa5jIp54it9LumiLGQVpw2H4NRz7nyEj-VRkz1EkHuRPjANhZQFfGH-0RovL-f_2mk3PmMWGIgVK5POlY0-p02EGtQ3boKpUlrZt-tKrLIKe1xWJnMpdhgBSx_wR26Ah0nGdiEFZn98Lk/w640-h426/417485956_7505021246199998_2874311376694736079_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new Mountain Hare who isn't quite sure of me</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhZhn1QuIxaA1pASvqTSU5rNbSHiyyDUXL02asdSGdJYb9m39pcyGRAJ0LkRKBET_bx6FfAYLQ6L9_ujDFEGRK6JPyTe4GrZgfDEZKkNZepLbEmc1elXMfSgN639e3pBf36EoJbwX3YDmF0zyiOzJE9Kts8Jgdh8x9-lSoAWC6Aqgarv-CGM1EJORYm0/s4878/IP7A2267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3252" data-original-width="4878" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhZhn1QuIxaA1pASvqTSU5rNbSHiyyDUXL02asdSGdJYb9m39pcyGRAJ0LkRKBET_bx6FfAYLQ6L9_ujDFEGRK6JPyTe4GrZgfDEZKkNZepLbEmc1elXMfSgN639e3pBf36EoJbwX3YDmF0zyiOzJE9Kts8Jgdh8x9-lSoAWC6Aqgarv-CGM1EJORYm0/w640-h426/IP7A2267.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mo Charaid knows it's still winter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-85764879065147078592024-03-05T15:46:00.002+00:002024-03-05T15:46:42.556+00:00CATCHING UP & THE FINEST MONTH IN WINTER<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7KCFCQPnQVEzEMOv-8UYL1vYjSwyS4Z6hO9qs4MayPVL8WEL9mfO2kME2L-bqZuhwYYVES2wtWBsPTlMQCAnRL4EOUUHGFVGsS6dB78c8eOL-FyjXNngcTvpXp9UunwuF2jEruTp9rfGLcVonrP97jRJwxo0na2g9jsTaIn1cWF1vu-j8OvyRRnAemM/s5618/IP7A6167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3745" data-original-width="5618" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7KCFCQPnQVEzEMOv-8UYL1vYjSwyS4Z6hO9qs4MayPVL8WEL9mfO2kME2L-bqZuhwYYVES2wtWBsPTlMQCAnRL4EOUUHGFVGsS6dB78c8eOL-FyjXNngcTvpXp9UunwuF2jEruTp9rfGLcVonrP97jRJwxo0na2g9jsTaIn1cWF1vu-j8OvyRRnAemM/w640-h426/IP7A6167.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good snow cover returns!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>Catching up on my blog after a busy period. The winter weather and conditions have been up and down but it now looks more settled as we go into March. March is always the finest month in winter. Longer daylight hours, usually the most depth of snow and (sometimes) nice weather conditions with less gales!</p><p>I've been running lots of winter skills courses, plenty of Mountain hare Photography workshops and a guided Ben Nevis trip via the CMD arete. For the 3rd time lucky this went to plan. The other 2 in December and January ad to be shelved because of high winds.</p><p>Here's some images from the last couple of weeks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLUA9qG-6189gQ4tkkFDPPdn_R1uNnHRWDuOaKKvR4C0DuZ-MWsbz-unQcS1HiGSOG_dhmRCIbCf10YRmlYefdKJuI4yHorZ4yhlwK0rCkjrVueLWlsaMeXK0bkNS5ZFJrOCOtb7ThGL0Jkqc6wdURLxgtawQ2CQgqmz088sSRlC4aUwxuO04ifuVglQ/s5435/IP7A1943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3623" data-original-width="5435" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLUA9qG-6189gQ4tkkFDPPdn_R1uNnHRWDuOaKKvR4C0DuZ-MWsbz-unQcS1HiGSOG_dhmRCIbCf10YRmlYefdKJuI4yHorZ4yhlwK0rCkjrVueLWlsaMeXK0bkNS5ZFJrOCOtb7ThGL0Jkqc6wdURLxgtawQ2CQgqmz088sSRlC4aUwxuO04ifuVglQ/w640-h426/IP7A1943.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRjeSZIE8NsZfTUqGMGmmas14Dgd6G2J01s-SJsY2ZCzRNc7S13Y5k5FBiuu_66GCvmJC283bscY40528KAsx5c1qn0JRJOp0g4sOJhdKCqlaquCtFbS_owO5P6IdwT26lGEfPGhx9TxbSmpakVJ26cDRfPKTEz3wXREo1g7VdbJHr3QXo59bvBEATJ0/s5609/IP7A3524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3739" data-original-width="5609" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRjeSZIE8NsZfTUqGMGmmas14Dgd6G2J01s-SJsY2ZCzRNc7S13Y5k5FBiuu_66GCvmJC283bscY40528KAsx5c1qn0JRJOp0g4sOJhdKCqlaquCtFbS_owO5P6IdwT26lGEfPGhx9TxbSmpakVJ26cDRfPKTEz3wXREo1g7VdbJHr3QXo59bvBEATJ0/w640-h426/IP7A3524.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5XuyUTXYMZm3nzjgOU_5ulnxoEYFOF1LS_484VeuwdQws_DTEobn917DpCpnYccJk7Sm0QFnO3KoyMu0MkTNT3tcDAN_rqU7W2M6Jeiw-qMw_iBkrh0kH4_JesT3cObp_tYNcvB_ofXV7ztsSHd3S11-pI-2lQpqAyihUNPaOMZSEcstauTPvyl8ohs/s6000/IP7A6140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5XuyUTXYMZm3nzjgOU_5ulnxoEYFOF1LS_484VeuwdQws_DTEobn917DpCpnYccJk7Sm0QFnO3KoyMu0MkTNT3tcDAN_rqU7W2M6Jeiw-qMw_iBkrh0kH4_JesT3cObp_tYNcvB_ofXV7ztsSHd3S11-pI-2lQpqAyihUNPaOMZSEcstauTPvyl8ohs/w640-h426/IP7A6140.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-85216715755600921522024-02-15T15:20:00.003+00:002024-02-15T15:20:26.207+00:00CALMER CONDITIONS, AT LAST<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgR7aFuUbsqNw9qJ6h1wpRPwexaQyxqgSgIzADEBYHTL-Sz1YqvFpmojVoR-wxr5JPvGH_dyVltbbv0wblpMj76qpT_FYBhKIjhFI8GVBT70eou5703JjQODL86DSFHUOn2qitw9Z3xnRGsS27ACw9IZkyttX_KymByLlyfWhbwLBQsEfqHHtRKNW8ww/s2048/427967235_7402881693080621_1323103735991974882_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgR7aFuUbsqNw9qJ6h1wpRPwexaQyxqgSgIzADEBYHTL-Sz1YqvFpmojVoR-wxr5JPvGH_dyVltbbv0wblpMj76qpT_FYBhKIjhFI8GVBT70eou5703JjQODL86DSFHUOn2qitw9Z3xnRGsS27ACw9IZkyttX_KymByLlyfWhbwLBQsEfqHHtRKNW8ww/w640-h480/427967235_7402881693080621_1323103735991974882_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue skies and calm winds, Cairn Lochan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>We've bben enjoying some calmer conditions in the Cairngorms over the last few days, at last! Temperatures have stayed well below freezing on the tops and some cold, frosty mornings in Strathspey. Great conditions to get up on the high tops and even some views with a bit of sunshine! The lower paths and trails have been icy and the snow above as also been frozen solid. Some serious runouts below 900m so careful footwork and locations for safe travel. It's now half term school holidays, the hills have been busy (as always this time in winter) but you can find some peaceful areas if you want! Ive ben running more winter skills trips with total beginners. Here's some images from 11 - 14 february.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWqtT5SYPGx2TEpdj5C-VYHCQqw8ARU-JduTmqaokCkXk-m9Bn5DPG3ii-277kqLh35SHs-ZFXBvs2OGxFlRh0IsPkBC598_6Z-zdxieU3eOQ0qyU34ZI5kjaZVLCNxLHJ8GWOOC516ZWjx6CLILb-eoKVqi1Elph30df21RXjosHGAoLwzywnIrzRLM/s2048/427755491_7406456002723190_2011507159005642702_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWqtT5SYPGx2TEpdj5C-VYHCQqw8ARU-JduTmqaokCkXk-m9Bn5DPG3ii-277kqLh35SHs-ZFXBvs2OGxFlRh0IsPkBC598_6Z-zdxieU3eOQ0qyU34ZI5kjaZVLCNxLHJ8GWOOC516ZWjx6CLILb-eoKVqi1Elph30df21RXjosHGAoLwzywnIrzRLM/w480-h640/427755491_7406456002723190_2011507159005642702_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steep ground in a safe runout, Ciste Mheard</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCywqucsLOhrFZQ99Q9TQ3efXjPXzR-OESOAP2q1sqwUbJ3nSiWdQGesN3a4_ic1QUUyy5Nvlj51lXf9u7otT-nMceewE3dF9YR1Rxc3o-vj-MZhz_SYmnNDcJ1LOTJV0J9WRy6bCy2gCtUyq3_tLUUxFAq7_MhyBLH06CBoUZG9oVVAbqnUgYaLIofDs/s2048/427827672_7402879369747520_2139830499251350025_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCywqucsLOhrFZQ99Q9TQ3efXjPXzR-OESOAP2q1sqwUbJ3nSiWdQGesN3a4_ic1QUUyy5Nvlj51lXf9u7otT-nMceewE3dF9YR1Rxc3o-vj-MZhz_SYmnNDcJ1LOTJV0J9WRy6bCy2gCtUyq3_tLUUxFAq7_MhyBLH06CBoUZG9oVVAbqnUgYaLIofDs/w480-h640/427827672_7402879369747520_2139830499251350025_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firm, well trodden snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-dWJ8CLTS8eyTb0P8UF12ZZqlisN2zt-6ENv4e1_d5nlNXzd7-c4f126wKXCctlz-Fzeeoc_gIZY3ifmtNnQY-o-KcukrPQEAZk8sq62rwVLtYBe-I6vhW4EcfFVnLFshUsBhQMxr1q1vUUehj168YRb2H8CqH5P54MDX2pwF2iV4v0-RTeav30-VfE/s2048/427795572_7406456226056501_782247126789118904_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-dWJ8CLTS8eyTb0P8UF12ZZqlisN2zt-6ENv4e1_d5nlNXzd7-c4f126wKXCctlz-Fzeeoc_gIZY3ifmtNnQY-o-KcukrPQEAZk8sq62rwVLtYBe-I6vhW4EcfFVnLFshUsBhQMxr1q1vUUehj168YRb2H8CqH5P54MDX2pwF2iV4v0-RTeav30-VfE/w640-h480/427795572_7406456226056501_782247126789118904_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue skies and snow shelters</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuydPiZrfXbZb89cJ9fH-1oKMIqKf7_GGft0FY63-NC6IcdGwaIKuA5_w1w8jZpOtLiZIXL860C-_Ihj8TDm-CwYhZJEloCyVpphQcpk52oM_jsBHL2bvLjC4lv3AYqUgdRYVP4bsAriBCzTRUsgv3heMctXIyIyZiUdYTKEnK0DLerJJCM4DjvdI64Ko/s2048/427760388_7406459106056213_3205358024729296239_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuydPiZrfXbZb89cJ9fH-1oKMIqKf7_GGft0FY63-NC6IcdGwaIKuA5_w1w8jZpOtLiZIXL860C-_Ihj8TDm-CwYhZJEloCyVpphQcpk52oM_jsBHL2bvLjC4lv3AYqUgdRYVP4bsAriBCzTRUsgv3heMctXIyIyZiUdYTKEnK0DLerJJCM4DjvdI64Ko/w480-h640/427760388_7406459106056213_3205358024729296239_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7_FaWsxLTlpCl_uhuKDAaT7N3AGrBbfc7qsgNgFZhF9R9YV4BA8N1waA5ZFatgbWnPSw46KR-EdKsdLq5IGcFYb01dQFeCRi4xoD8CdjlsnKcibYGcTyqTcNucMDe4siMtK4p9xl1lYIG8yl6Wsd7rt_dsETxH6wxQC_stq6za-GBHgrimVK8ivzeP4/s2048/427877539_7411276268907830_997552532553226283_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7_FaWsxLTlpCl_uhuKDAaT7N3AGrBbfc7qsgNgFZhF9R9YV4BA8N1waA5ZFatgbWnPSw46KR-EdKsdLq5IGcFYb01dQFeCRi4xoD8CdjlsnKcibYGcTyqTcNucMDe4siMtK4p9xl1lYIG8yl6Wsd7rt_dsETxH6wxQC_stq6za-GBHgrimVK8ivzeP4/w640-h480/427877539_7411276268907830_997552532553226283_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the tops and enjoying no winds!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRszt5znhI_PDyxGU0NI8HuEnuFzyhcbMlfo8lElFMo9H0VQyySwaDjsZ53aJSKkKGedm0pA46HvaZRioXv_MyzAJVUNTq8Xaoe-wrP6fMqsLkv8GDqLdM73qQ3Zp4-JKMeD01uWJmQwr5w4vNxVP_-jvtrih-_3nXc8HwHMUnB6GuhcnhXf997rkKBU4/s2048/426371517_7414524901916300_1462033805477891672_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRszt5znhI_PDyxGU0NI8HuEnuFzyhcbMlfo8lElFMo9H0VQyySwaDjsZ53aJSKkKGedm0pA46HvaZRioXv_MyzAJVUNTq8Xaoe-wrP6fMqsLkv8GDqLdM73qQ3Zp4-JKMeD01uWJmQwr5w4vNxVP_-jvtrih-_3nXc8HwHMUnB6GuhcnhXf997rkKBU4/w480-h640/426371517_7414524901916300_1462033805477891672_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGyvGNT93ffqiALqBlp4ohthSTthzV-UO97qtr8ZzRpXRzpA6_Al4tM7-dV1GIcc7QO65o8VEqKpRqjPmsMYuPj-l7AymxiTDLOLhFpYWQGapuJXBw1ScystapWknQGJ7G-6m_EpsAEduTTNKofZEq8KD6L1Ir91QaCKUcI3EE4MOQNZaO1J36hzZoog/s2048/427755491_7406457029389754_4394513924308357313_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGyvGNT93ffqiALqBlp4ohthSTthzV-UO97qtr8ZzRpXRzpA6_Al4tM7-dV1GIcc7QO65o8VEqKpRqjPmsMYuPj-l7AymxiTDLOLhFpYWQGapuJXBw1ScystapWknQGJ7G-6m_EpsAEduTTNKofZEq8KD6L1Ir91QaCKUcI3EE4MOQNZaO1J36hzZoog/w640-h480/427755491_7406457029389754_4394513924308357313_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rime ice</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAQx0DIy4OsJJEHkRVHzCFVW8BhYBtA2gZUZ9fzhQRkgJpKgEOYzDVcqxQZY923OPng581AwIZnd033Ff1MV4fs-py6hyphenhyphenCWwmk6_fO8v3_W6rOhyphenhyphenAliJLCkotDUPhxX_duu3frgcu6lNB4ljhFdwiePzvTjjU28kJLOBMlZ7Xfr4eHplZvcLeT8IBcR0/s2048/427781529_7402880633080727_1456768671421753646_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAQx0DIy4OsJJEHkRVHzCFVW8BhYBtA2gZUZ9fzhQRkgJpKgEOYzDVcqxQZY923OPng581AwIZnd033Ff1MV4fs-py6hyphenhyphenCWwmk6_fO8v3_W6rOhyphenhyphenAliJLCkotDUPhxX_duu3frgcu6lNB4ljhFdwiePzvTjjU28kJLOBMlZ7Xfr4eHplZvcLeT8IBcR0/w640-h480/427781529_7402880633080727_1456768671421753646_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbers descending The Couloir</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialjZP9uIBaUOEY0cD8zPB6u5AW1oYn2Zee0nqmWMJJjMRWE3qHSidcHGhwB8hdHNQP7WtBg-Rpsx3Hrofjl8BhU6BzppFH5uVVDtBZeOEOm-5su8aYB9oQF_IoHZuiHpyHWLHFVHHQGwwCkZS_pPbIbLMrWtO9ylEOcKxHaQMc_mjhry2euJIU73_irA/s2048/427839289_7406458129389644_1007497848557771568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialjZP9uIBaUOEY0cD8zPB6u5AW1oYn2Zee0nqmWMJJjMRWE3qHSidcHGhwB8hdHNQP7WtBg-Rpsx3Hrofjl8BhU6BzppFH5uVVDtBZeOEOm-5su8aYB9oQF_IoHZuiHpyHWLHFVHHQGwwCkZS_pPbIbLMrWtO9ylEOcKxHaQMc_mjhry2euJIU73_irA/w640-h480/427839289_7406458129389644_1007497848557771568_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue skies and sun</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIAdLwlysyzVVsrRNd5gt-k1csco_rb_xUZQC1-Zepv4dkFmAdHgk2oUE_1cq7HOIs-3kVWrgBXZdXV-pDDWkrTgcD2asjDhuSZDTfQ4SMOmiPGxSrKyu2We03B-LhVIlZ_R95iDjLdD0gCWZpu59ySo7Kb74VxR-YtPmGUraDKRwdwuiGrNlpnq4CvU/s2048/427873589_7406458489389608_5799452103838982239_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIAdLwlysyzVVsrRNd5gt-k1csco_rb_xUZQC1-Zepv4dkFmAdHgk2oUE_1cq7HOIs-3kVWrgBXZdXV-pDDWkrTgcD2asjDhuSZDTfQ4SMOmiPGxSrKyu2We03B-LhVIlZ_R95iDjLdD0gCWZpu59ySo7Kb74VxR-YtPmGUraDKRwdwuiGrNlpnq4CvU/w640-h480/427873589_7406458489389608_5799452103838982239_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect cramponing snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-FWmYQ8RvJPenZwzakQi-WVIH74rn-vOxzYkkSKwJ_V0Ur0Li_OKYa8z7uv64f6kb2jsT_haP6zKFHI-wOB2H0-sMyaYRW4cTQXL8q3_r7WPAwNDpqAxklmJ3_6L4IKr1lZo2MyglyT19s8szPq4Lii-UaWjXP9fH8DDNI7X3hwJDQc1vR4G_EkA69U/s2048/427844431_7402880809747376_9074941147905117102_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-FWmYQ8RvJPenZwzakQi-WVIH74rn-vOxzYkkSKwJ_V0Ur0Li_OKYa8z7uv64f6kb2jsT_haP6zKFHI-wOB2H0-sMyaYRW4cTQXL8q3_r7WPAwNDpqAxklmJ3_6L4IKr1lZo2MyglyT19s8szPq4Lii-UaWjXP9fH8DDNI7X3hwJDQc1vR4G_EkA69U/w640-h480/427844431_7402880809747376_9074941147905117102_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice views</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosjWSEnx0WC-T1vqy5lSGHvDCkZ4cpaoM6rWqF1v-cJuBHC5yqplj8hfe2o3UMXG8mf-Sio4ijI4855snTWdaApiDH25Tc4JJMlGOV2HKUhCkc0BCSpEN5APMpp_r8k_1OXWgWIqjKL-Wqzv4TolY2pHD07Twz10Nw9URHVvnlh20L7ubG_WAa4tXcb0/s2048/427964713_7414524451916345_6173559253816219757_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosjWSEnx0WC-T1vqy5lSGHvDCkZ4cpaoM6rWqF1v-cJuBHC5yqplj8hfe2o3UMXG8mf-Sio4ijI4855snTWdaApiDH25Tc4JJMlGOV2HKUhCkc0BCSpEN5APMpp_r8k_1OXWgWIqjKL-Wqzv4TolY2pHD07Twz10Nw9URHVvnlh20L7ubG_WAa4tXcb0/w480-h640/427964713_7414524451916345_6173559253816219757_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Axe and crampon techniques</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pujQmKPUMRx47Y4Z7bKaOi91Ifo5r_mI5g_6yC_q1F8CHMoRn01zBtWyyaZ6wbR1XRmscY0hnIB4zvmBwWgW-cPccUb2wGhHUzdzv99U8JYADpEWRq4oQDfMny0UPeUuT0zSSrITV0oAn_YzDsR3elqkbUtHIUbvk5gxYJw9Wlk1ruwBste8kwgo9gA/s2048/427980385_7410554398980017_1670046068556294750_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pujQmKPUMRx47Y4Z7bKaOi91Ifo5r_mI5g_6yC_q1F8CHMoRn01zBtWyyaZ6wbR1XRmscY0hnIB4zvmBwWgW-cPccUb2wGhHUzdzv99U8JYADpEWRq4oQDfMny0UPeUuT0zSSrITV0oAn_YzDsR3elqkbUtHIUbvk5gxYJw9Wlk1ruwBste8kwgo9gA/w640-h480/427980385_7410554398980017_1670046068556294750_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cairngorms and beautiful snow foreground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdA499hL0wE_leDrvHawQwCdry3DiM3s8lpULFMUhVRXF21Lu0mkCQPuwXe6PuIKbxNl3gwKSZzyGMaKA-ln5jj0FeamSQGEaJ5AQyWMyX4CguPLojP28McH1Q0OYSVDk7eiA2SATLyRDWg_CXx8EieSUF2X2TJ3o9imys9HTWMEb7yGxxvruKuXF-ohA/s2048/428081586_7410554738979983_2156385587706496911_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdA499hL0wE_leDrvHawQwCdry3DiM3s8lpULFMUhVRXF21Lu0mkCQPuwXe6PuIKbxNl3gwKSZzyGMaKA-ln5jj0FeamSQGEaJ5AQyWMyX4CguPLojP28McH1Q0OYSVDk7eiA2SATLyRDWg_CXx8EieSUF2X2TJ3o9imys9HTWMEb7yGxxvruKuXF-ohA/w640-h480/428081586_7410554738979983_2156385587706496911_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some light drifting</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzmZ6Q-Iu5EmTV7MrrT00vmCsuaRNL5VsvHpFMWhgnGdSzqjjUi0jlFbOIG7N0n0ZyfPYpxP8Wtbh6abJD3Fcf56VAukqfzG_M8lzhtx_L2_tVCiyzHWflJmGcLFT9LpBBiH_D8UXpV-0h97pbWgzbfDniq1-WnV8KYi25S6oB344ClrsnS9Wl3VSyDQ/s2048/427881917_7410553662313424_1848454565525544197_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="2048" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzmZ6Q-Iu5EmTV7MrrT00vmCsuaRNL5VsvHpFMWhgnGdSzqjjUi0jlFbOIG7N0n0ZyfPYpxP8Wtbh6abJD3Fcf56VAukqfzG_M8lzhtx_L2_tVCiyzHWflJmGcLFT9LpBBiH_D8UXpV-0h97pbWgzbfDniq1-WnV8KYi25S6oB344ClrsnS9Wl3VSyDQ/w640-h472/427881917_7410553662313424_1848454565525544197_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light and shade on windslab</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUapUrm4SaO4Z5Aaq9r2K95nxHIlAUuZYWvaIMZK6rBeh3sMSnLZtqU_scAaTEw3vNAsFLStYTCVpOyEUoV6JkaTGS3BFT_0flBOZg3h0eWx6rRXzxek-CIAfMJ7afXnGKscCjjqE-mYBlE-605-Mf0ZN-R-7JgopoV2x98M9ZWkuUKM_k-bht5ujPKo/s2048/427910665_7402879926414131_8038574175664074867_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUapUrm4SaO4Z5Aaq9r2K95nxHIlAUuZYWvaIMZK6rBeh3sMSnLZtqU_scAaTEw3vNAsFLStYTCVpOyEUoV6JkaTGS3BFT_0flBOZg3h0eWx6rRXzxek-CIAfMJ7afXnGKscCjjqE-mYBlE-605-Mf0ZN-R-7JgopoV2x98M9ZWkuUKM_k-bht5ujPKo/w640-h480/427910665_7402879926414131_8038574175664074867_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy down in Sneachda</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiyqKfD9aMzu0rVquwTEjqusidueinOutmAUBQ3sKs1wW5WIwihN_nrMjbJFkLTWLnnYyq-3xsJpvqSra-cZ67vPDjJaP6yJKZK8W9SrASXNTV5RX9m77Y9Nt9q10jjvdtRxGyrIwXA8gZi8cA-Z0SeUoSal2b1QL6u0Y9O8ZZ0nrhHl9cwPxJQj68HY/s2048/427980242_7414523881916402_6148468742701582647_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiyqKfD9aMzu0rVquwTEjqusidueinOutmAUBQ3sKs1wW5WIwihN_nrMjbJFkLTWLnnYyq-3xsJpvqSra-cZ67vPDjJaP6yJKZK8W9SrASXNTV5RX9m77Y9Nt9q10jjvdtRxGyrIwXA8gZi8cA-Z0SeUoSal2b1QL6u0Y9O8ZZ0nrhHl9cwPxJQj68HY/w640-h480/427980242_7414523881916402_6148468742701582647_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last of the sun</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPbaxLSVkL4k-cDvaabh-zaXsgnR8LnbNUG2YcXVYKW_9HEm-gEt6AA9mqHUtl6CB7b7-1ZCYr9OLLyZ6OWToY0ToU2K8sL-u519iJxvvjKpJg1i1YEVynZsIen-jgJNbcttjwctDfWpcr1UHKDHppEmflxc6h7CxW11BxqabyLtiasmQJwJbP7Fxuxo/s2048/428147371_7406457236056400_2520546694962473676_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPbaxLSVkL4k-cDvaabh-zaXsgnR8LnbNUG2YcXVYKW_9HEm-gEt6AA9mqHUtl6CB7b7-1ZCYr9OLLyZ6OWToY0ToU2K8sL-u519iJxvvjKpJg1i1YEVynZsIen-jgJNbcttjwctDfWpcr1UHKDHppEmflxc6h7CxW11BxqabyLtiasmQJwJbP7Fxuxo/w640-h480/428147371_7406457236056400_2520546694962473676_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn Gorm summit in rime</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjYmXNgKpeR9dgRDXP4cRxBe7PDaRRqg9HYynSpWEoO1kBGTdKyaY79fkTNKUqqOCnAAmqqbwg-5orBe56oWW9l_1hC9PQr1UpgNEuGmWHGK76pEIJrdxKhRrH9UvowM8c0eCyGRMfEhwv7xuVbV9whKsiFTvZZ1cVJJCn6UswAw2PDo6o8NozIIDAs0/s2048/428052346_7406457679389689_238143629943813324_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjYmXNgKpeR9dgRDXP4cRxBe7PDaRRqg9HYynSpWEoO1kBGTdKyaY79fkTNKUqqOCnAAmqqbwg-5orBe56oWW9l_1hC9PQr1UpgNEuGmWHGK76pEIJrdxKhRrH9UvowM8c0eCyGRMfEhwv7xuVbV9whKsiFTvZZ1cVJJCn6UswAw2PDo6o8NozIIDAs0/w480-h640/428052346_7406457679389689_238143629943813324_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZrWTKS0PNp9k6P9W4XUigE3qqQZacLIxbxdp5sDP578qy1pXAi6Wg4lJRpEs0CJFpIug6PMmHGQmpIXFYOkVjRVakUremDrC0nx870A3F9DzLForNwWOREvS62u9ghgcc8417PMN5iJM2hy4Pn95cmneDLrKcjSEJxk3gBBeg-ZlnSe20_xSoMtCLDo/s2048/428081910_7414525625249561_7873413618300336965_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZrWTKS0PNp9k6P9W4XUigE3qqQZacLIxbxdp5sDP578qy1pXAi6Wg4lJRpEs0CJFpIug6PMmHGQmpIXFYOkVjRVakUremDrC0nx870A3F9DzLForNwWOREvS62u9ghgcc8417PMN5iJM2hy4Pn95cmneDLrKcjSEJxk3gBBeg-ZlnSe20_xSoMtCLDo/w640-h480/428081910_7414525625249561_7873413618300336965_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding solitude, late afternoon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-76204189340300392682024-02-10T10:39:00.000+00:002024-02-10T10:39:17.284+00:00HALF WAY POINT IN WINTER<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb28ZEHskVqDqTW4mabq6er5Nmuzq_r_9zopMkcxeiJ4XF0v1uousWW40E93Yat5IEloa8bSBigQsiFMJOnvPE_QfxUBkTl-KVVja-D6ErIoXzqfIVYA2nWnneGlBo-XGDlu-ljWx6IUSe5eOqiwDrPo3-3Hpa5E1VfqC0RMNP8m-xlrMYmiXC_97qh1M/s2048/425717300_7369139966454794_2410575026749829886_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb28ZEHskVqDqTW4mabq6er5Nmuzq_r_9zopMkcxeiJ4XF0v1uousWW40E93Yat5IEloa8bSBigQsiFMJOnvPE_QfxUBkTl-KVVja-D6ErIoXzqfIVYA2nWnneGlBo-XGDlu-ljWx6IUSe5eOqiwDrPo3-3Hpa5E1VfqC0RMNP8m-xlrMYmiXC_97qh1M/w640-h480/425717300_7369139966454794_2410575026749829886_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A well prepared group of mine in mid winter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> February marks the halfway point in the winter season. It does make me giggle every single year around this period. Folk on various social media channels claiming 'spring is just around the corner'. The snowdrops may well indeed be in flower down on the south coast of Englandshire, up here in The Highlands it is full winter conditions, usually. The snow is once again lying outside in my garden at Aviemore as I type this blog. Winter finishes around the end of April in these parts. </p><p>It's been yet another unsettled spell of weather. It's been almost constant high winds in the Cairngorms. We've also had some unseasonably mild temperatures to go with it, but it's still only halfway into winter! We did have very limited snow above 900m last week but (thankfully) the very cold and snow has now returned. Full on winter conditions yesterday, even at lower altitudes. </p><p>The last 10 days I've had a few 2 day winter courses running. We've struggled in high winds and poor visibility. It's all part of the winter game. Calmer conditions prevailed on Thursday & Friday and things are looking much calmer next week. </p><p>Here's a few images from early February with groups on the hill.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBIMwp1SLkyATwhkwjJ4HhtTjuNXTg_TdW7ybT-CSbX3TDZWtsaq14glqjY-TarXvBvaPWoQ3TW-57F0JiLQfz9_Y7VUTYhpdqutTsmIj9YxfFutK-aq2KbQcjXgFB1FshBG1gwDQNRvl_qAXwdv_jz978b_wHb16_ryyTk2bSr5MOWL_B-lwSqE_cks/s2048/423538750_7360880220614102_2164553292850570746_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBIMwp1SLkyATwhkwjJ4HhtTjuNXTg_TdW7ybT-CSbX3TDZWtsaq14glqjY-TarXvBvaPWoQ3TW-57F0JiLQfz9_Y7VUTYhpdqutTsmIj9YxfFutK-aq2KbQcjXgFB1FshBG1gwDQNRvl_qAXwdv_jz978b_wHb16_ryyTk2bSr5MOWL_B-lwSqE_cks/w480-h640/423538750_7360880220614102_2164553292850570746_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve & Euan on icy snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsCSHF34ZsEMpXeGmTZjEVpcnpF6vP8Zuqa_R-cUsvKFMfLrljCyhOkhyDnB81yXPsmr-b-p-VwQzk3qlOoiLsBiYlUfDAg3p6ZOsca7f5aZ5pYjfa1Du2wBW5pLzlaCC8Szr0F9EMpT_vy0fYyCWPVIR0LgTIbZ5I30Cxu85XzSc2-OwSHkKOL7ZH4M/s2048/423554834_7360880410614083_1919110143465863113_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsCSHF34ZsEMpXeGmTZjEVpcnpF6vP8Zuqa_R-cUsvKFMfLrljCyhOkhyDnB81yXPsmr-b-p-VwQzk3qlOoiLsBiYlUfDAg3p6ZOsca7f5aZ5pYjfa1Du2wBW5pLzlaCC8Szr0F9EMpT_vy0fYyCWPVIR0LgTIbZ5I30Cxu85XzSc2-OwSHkKOL7ZH4M/w640-h480/423554834_7360880410614083_1919110143465863113_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheltering from the high winds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYZhFGU2ckonDOdOE5wTNOQc1Fh4Lq6YjK0sCfmOM1F8JTf4RpcfYMBK8dGrx1ESQXjiZJXIeDJi2vItrcEsvR6kXFEhosjWt_QZKpAdHLQ3LD_1ZFM4Bck8aYRafz3QbLWrt5rcfhN8WgzzqiFlKl7iAQB9SP8wqjslPhp1jubV5JwjDYVSlOAfH6SM/s2048/423557145_7360881000614024_5733450256822354735_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYZhFGU2ckonDOdOE5wTNOQc1Fh4Lq6YjK0sCfmOM1F8JTf4RpcfYMBK8dGrx1ESQXjiZJXIeDJi2vItrcEsvR6kXFEhosjWt_QZKpAdHLQ3LD_1ZFM4Bck8aYRafz3QbLWrt5rcfhN8WgzzqiFlKl7iAQB9SP8wqjslPhp1jubV5JwjDYVSlOAfH6SM/w640-h480/423557145_7360881000614024_5733450256822354735_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire an t-Sneachda ( 1st February)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYILXPxehLaazlJdV1Th22HIvEpbd85gQ8FdP_u0CLejAz-O-5OozQrkopz94vW8VKCLxnCMmAGgJtxXTy5pw7NKbcHOcZnprCmCttaiz_OVq0xWjpVIavDOdw_Ool0nA68IL-3Xq75Ggq-kidmHRLIQTWBs5ystmXCu6MBozDjs4XodzBeYtv4xS1au4/s2048/424644509_7369140086454782_4407847849614044353_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYILXPxehLaazlJdV1Th22HIvEpbd85gQ8FdP_u0CLejAz-O-5OozQrkopz94vW8VKCLxnCMmAGgJtxXTy5pw7NKbcHOcZnprCmCttaiz_OVq0xWjpVIavDOdw_Ool0nA68IL-3Xq75Ggq-kidmHRLIQTWBs5ystmXCu6MBozDjs4XodzBeYtv4xS1au4/w640-h480/424644509_7369140086454782_4407847849614044353_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My team of 6 Irish guys on a 2 day course, good navigation skills required</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix847PxF_KfLrDp0cGsT1PTTAvkmwwPK7L0LhD3e6h6PL-UXAVCLmX5g_M6rAQHuMo0tsXa7U4uhao-wCSo6rQVEVXgY2_hYBRx8KvrwzILuUfhbEtUB8nhwP0Tn37OKXncf0x3KysH5weGKbKHubzz5t5Me9dqPFZdL6RXC4WLn8q6D0nZmbNPrgXABM/s2048/425630790_7373355649366559_2908002574143190805_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix847PxF_KfLrDp0cGsT1PTTAvkmwwPK7L0LhD3e6h6PL-UXAVCLmX5g_M6rAQHuMo0tsXa7U4uhao-wCSo6rQVEVXgY2_hYBRx8KvrwzILuUfhbEtUB8nhwP0Tn37OKXncf0x3KysH5weGKbKHubzz5t5Me9dqPFZdL6RXC4WLn8q6D0nZmbNPrgXABM/w640-h480/425630790_7373355649366559_2908002574143190805_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tight squeeze in the group shelter - these are vital bits of kit everyone should carry</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJmbHNW2C3TJ8L9Yr9BU-PRpslq6FGu4HrN6J6DQNi0sHyRWBfwo8ISBwopwpXIItZIaabO6FAll9A1kZd08F9C6A4KAFCbNj4jFG8dD_NCl2OrjszChpc1bzSGYjYv8-Ii-IXirLKCy6GMnmOnAePsEwKBfG3rpJ1y8HUr6_w-9l6DacY9pmR60ucGM/s2048/425713240_7373355149366609_1393449433799218750_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJmbHNW2C3TJ8L9Yr9BU-PRpslq6FGu4HrN6J6DQNi0sHyRWBfwo8ISBwopwpXIItZIaabO6FAll9A1kZd08F9C6A4KAFCbNj4jFG8dD_NCl2OrjszChpc1bzSGYjYv8-Ii-IXirLKCy6GMnmOnAePsEwKBfG3rpJ1y8HUr6_w-9l6DacY9pmR60ucGM/w640-h480/425713240_7373355149366609_1393449433799218750_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow, wind and poor visibility on Sgor Gaoithe</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGdjpDn5HiEOIh_i2Eoaaov61gCA_PchcVr9wObxDFdLGLpIzOG9bCB6YGZ_wOd9vjIfMQ9B-816gNx-weMnvSDgf1oxfNo1cLq5qZ0mqi-ZkNFqTsNuw7pdto0Xu3-yNo_4sGKTl7qZwPij7_abyy7ACxZhr6JkM2tcEEqY2r1jmpDTDYP7vPmi71Fk/s2048/425684866_7369139203121537_8945654881044579292_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGdjpDn5HiEOIh_i2Eoaaov61gCA_PchcVr9wObxDFdLGLpIzOG9bCB6YGZ_wOd9vjIfMQ9B-816gNx-weMnvSDgf1oxfNo1cLq5qZ0mqi-ZkNFqTsNuw7pdto0Xu3-yNo_4sGKTl7qZwPij7_abyy7ACxZhr6JkM2tcEEqY2r1jmpDTDYP7vPmi71Fk/w640-h480/425684866_7369139203121537_8945654881044579292_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calmer conditions at last</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghicxquIfhZxIJd81DnCeUeCOd8uwAaYWcn-X5tqUBQjX67SwR8119bDZZJ59c94HkRaVamPDRTIs_48ETsGtdDWU8hwYFAGFks1ooBwbK3kMQ9NiqPDHL2beqE9Loys-rBNcJj4gzTXbxBMFOFEppvJ7TEH130AXzCoHu5fb57j8bNJG6XfhB-3xy4U/s2048/425739003_7381325055236285_2710662723989690846_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghicxquIfhZxIJd81DnCeUeCOd8uwAaYWcn-X5tqUBQjX67SwR8119bDZZJ59c94HkRaVamPDRTIs_48ETsGtdDWU8hwYFAGFks1ooBwbK3kMQ9NiqPDHL2beqE9Loys-rBNcJj4gzTXbxBMFOFEppvJ7TEH130AXzCoHu5fb57j8bNJG6XfhB-3xy4U/w480-h640/425739003_7381325055236285_2710662723989690846_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High winds are back!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx6v2ZIgWGC1eRH1bQFAYO9-sH4riQX-Uj3psksNmII7cy0NHkZlDSdg9O5Ot6XmysScmJRenyQ-duI2Hl4GorbBXWUaZTANZliWl3P0trGPUn2JlioonMmUVEIANdPEUmsm8EyvTF8tZa25sLtepLDIYSFOI0W0tzyM5uO6FhbR0_7CnfoGBQ2fnpGY/s2048/425853190_7381325818569542_8448389877685636615_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx6v2ZIgWGC1eRH1bQFAYO9-sH4riQX-Uj3psksNmII7cy0NHkZlDSdg9O5Ot6XmysScmJRenyQ-duI2Hl4GorbBXWUaZTANZliWl3P0trGPUn2JlioonMmUVEIANdPEUmsm8EyvTF8tZa25sLtepLDIYSFOI0W0tzyM5uO6FhbR0_7CnfoGBQ2fnpGY/w640-h480/425853190_7381325818569542_8448389877685636615_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No wind in this snow shelter!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC61aT29ws7gFecTuWcjzfnytz_jn0pOu44_LrO2wPyt-Y0q-Ros4z8R4Q_Nay2vP2zFYfD-9rh1b1Jj55UeZWoykq8bzUmWqwSCZKcSO00CdOwf98d8XyX8gZaZKmosltHPYGCJSdsPJZTYQr0i33fMoPpcMoEHZrsYritJYIj9qDON8i8EhsjBVDOyk/s2048/425834344_7385897294779061_160623100481758426_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC61aT29ws7gFecTuWcjzfnytz_jn0pOu44_LrO2wPyt-Y0q-Ros4z8R4Q_Nay2vP2zFYfD-9rh1b1Jj55UeZWoykq8bzUmWqwSCZKcSO00CdOwf98d8XyX8gZaZKmosltHPYGCJSdsPJZTYQr0i33fMoPpcMoEHZrsYritJYIj9qDON8i8EhsjBVDOyk/w480-h640/425834344_7385897294779061_160623100481758426_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh snow, blue skies and no wind!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsmm4EzTRLJFfWJD8YdsjrrFejO2ufIPfMzjrSdGHrdzHyGjgHGKkxGdAiYhrB883qdIPusTmh_Yr0hIGI_Q-SfImlQcSSzzIb7kMAwb91kBElOiuerk0NVpCWbAmyhjJA0LvKLLm89OgiVhBqQ98_jTx4gXBUQQSTNwAX2tu2N2OEQJC3hGJSiRvrP4/s2048/425933049_7385900811445376_8161537811613790765_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsmm4EzTRLJFfWJD8YdsjrrFejO2ufIPfMzjrSdGHrdzHyGjgHGKkxGdAiYhrB883qdIPusTmh_Yr0hIGI_Q-SfImlQcSSzzIb7kMAwb91kBElOiuerk0NVpCWbAmyhjJA0LvKLLm89OgiVhBqQ98_jTx4gXBUQQSTNwAX2tu2N2OEQJC3hGJSiRvrP4/w480-h640/425933049_7385900811445376_8161537811613790765_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen snow and turf & rime ice returns</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCYBoawoEFXN-Qwua4pH_Xujj3UfSdsX6TJX4M7jzrtoYg21jpFb_ztOKt8k5A2-CM79KRjAWeJa7FYGdGmGcCr-OsHMCyvhPj-X7vzi4RvfXyfjm2038wgEoZE3ruvys58ylz2_bFkcGVQFKkKDSVaNtXREu7xXW-2lRfbVGx0X5tAQYk6LT-93Z46Y/s2048/425811493_7385897911445666_7981159743426350277_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCYBoawoEFXN-Qwua4pH_Xujj3UfSdsX6TJX4M7jzrtoYg21jpFb_ztOKt8k5A2-CM79KRjAWeJa7FYGdGmGcCr-OsHMCyvhPj-X7vzi4RvfXyfjm2038wgEoZE3ruvys58ylz2_bFkcGVQFKkKDSVaNtXREu7xXW-2lRfbVGx0X5tAQYk6LT-93Z46Y/w480-h640/425811493_7385897911445666_7981159743426350277_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom & James enjoying the calmer winds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKmFhriqAfnTv6uLCOAIFdSV_6tXkL9RlNtlGoTJMeoZYsz5k_Zj8o1dhyphenhyphenfOcvZp3Zcqkvw2qj1ExJv-PCTKy1UfhbRdgs4C1Y2eObSnCYqODIbaWxVuMskuMryIHAZZ6UWurelP5cYAajisYSzOoa2FvwA_JcT-SmEE0E2sYfadliGArsUQ6wPqKaQA/s2048/425841755_7385899788112145_1168973595300182845_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKmFhriqAfnTv6uLCOAIFdSV_6tXkL9RlNtlGoTJMeoZYsz5k_Zj8o1dhyphenhyphenfOcvZp3Zcqkvw2qj1ExJv-PCTKy1UfhbRdgs4C1Y2eObSnCYqODIbaWxVuMskuMryIHAZZ6UWurelP5cYAajisYSzOoa2FvwA_JcT-SmEE0E2sYfadliGArsUQ6wPqKaQA/w640-h480/425841755_7385899788112145_1168973595300182845_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon cuppa in the sun at 1000m</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuC4so1D_gd65-s3PojSey0g3lUSneinhna5PxZKEr1A-yHCrBDklrVEoOXblZJPYKZW25Le31Ye9jXM9a3dZlOY_q2RvnaM0vxrTRqqnwis9J2v955YslXusxwJo_X6k55r1TY3_QAMAjUqiRPkYNDTHtQCm9Mr2e8c02zHXUlG0TBGzc4xjU8aqOZxY/s2048/425829845_7385898881445569_7866284003265529153_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuC4so1D_gd65-s3PojSey0g3lUSneinhna5PxZKEr1A-yHCrBDklrVEoOXblZJPYKZW25Le31Ye9jXM9a3dZlOY_q2RvnaM0vxrTRqqnwis9J2v955YslXusxwJo_X6k55r1TY3_QAMAjUqiRPkYNDTHtQCm9Mr2e8c02zHXUlG0TBGzc4xjU8aqOZxY/w640-h480/425829845_7385898881445569_7866284003265529153_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharp crampons essential the last 2 weeks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupyvaWa7IkXKqofvcxyHIpHo3cKetogTV3VJgFBC2LnEzglzU0-E6eunLgY_abiJjQcrHkYcLjno_KedrDC7oqH0PIMBagYO_eHZDMiaqErPYao9sVgvdSxpZGJKvuiC_uHlUjnSLJca8F2n7ryy9ixwtmFyN8epQoz29MZydEcC6mhtm1wqqEf1He50/s2048/426442784_7390268744341916_4777093500375600975_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupyvaWa7IkXKqofvcxyHIpHo3cKetogTV3VJgFBC2LnEzglzU0-E6eunLgY_abiJjQcrHkYcLjno_KedrDC7oqH0PIMBagYO_eHZDMiaqErPYao9sVgvdSxpZGJKvuiC_uHlUjnSLJca8F2n7ryy9ixwtmFyN8epQoz29MZydEcC6mhtm1wqqEf1He50/w480-h640/426442784_7390268744341916_4777093500375600975_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grand view from this mountain hare's form</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHXyECXsHRiA3CwFaGhOVULDHKb5WLr6hT6704jzZ3Wq33QyXN5HmTFZk-m1th8zIsbhihI47DrBrp1xIPdyYl8o_BEATvAXF1dqEOryYazn2O1tF0yY5adzv5gWdrCZ-ODYEeRxWX7MfLDzw_UTRq0E3G_uCXwNF_zy9rHrxgQjUE7depDzcbSqJn5c/s2048/426406552_7390270137675110_4761575220143425565_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHXyECXsHRiA3CwFaGhOVULDHKb5WLr6hT6704jzZ3Wq33QyXN5HmTFZk-m1th8zIsbhihI47DrBrp1xIPdyYl8o_BEATvAXF1dqEOryYazn2O1tF0yY5adzv5gWdrCZ-ODYEeRxWX7MfLDzw_UTRq0E3G_uCXwNF_zy9rHrxgQjUE7depDzcbSqJn5c/w640-h480/426406552_7390270137675110_4761575220143425565_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very low temperatures and snow at Aviemore level on Thursday & Friday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffnE_Yw4SSEnZfi0qtrY1NUY8UkMO__zwkP4eT_8LR59BahP-ryanFTIeW1eHFG0L_yN04vybs3wopBEd6b54zCDSs_reHEvwX8sKmDwToy6C8L3e0amfPERNxfTnfi6Tl-pnnCJ8I0sh5PAjGED0QhEZLH41CJDsA6IzumEo2tzOXgrg91TXRJ6-bwI/s2048/426411879_7390269477675176_7023464844950240423_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffnE_Yw4SSEnZfi0qtrY1NUY8UkMO__zwkP4eT_8LR59BahP-ryanFTIeW1eHFG0L_yN04vybs3wopBEd6b54zCDSs_reHEvwX8sKmDwToy6C8L3e0amfPERNxfTnfi6Tl-pnnCJ8I0sh5PAjGED0QhEZLH41CJDsA6IzumEo2tzOXgrg91TXRJ6-bwI/w640-h480/426411879_7390269477675176_7023464844950240423_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No wind and below freezing for beautiful surface hoar crystals to form</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-16382723755394191462024-01-31T15:41:00.002+00:002024-01-31T15:46:00.249+00:00MORE CHANGABLE WEATHER & CONDITIONS<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZvJ9WrNaP9bSW6i1w0wrTmYaybZlKouhszZqEefpzXl2iMZqQ5zGmoeOz1TJfANLGHe97nrRZpqPIqOW-FNOD_xnvnAQUUS-Rc3qolz6jJP7axbKbgO_u1pzTWp3LFjc2AYs5HQJ8o3pH0e-PGi8sF6LYtN107YyEVZAzXNNUZ_l_e5E-Y3mCByJ3kY/s2048/423237076_7352875134747944_8626936774562840389_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZvJ9WrNaP9bSW6i1w0wrTmYaybZlKouhszZqEefpzXl2iMZqQ5zGmoeOz1TJfANLGHe97nrRZpqPIqOW-FNOD_xnvnAQUUS-Rc3qolz6jJP7axbKbgO_u1pzTWp3LFjc2AYs5HQJ8o3pH0e-PGi8sF6LYtN107YyEVZAzXNNUZ_l_e5E-Y3mCByJ3kY/w640-h480/423237076_7352875134747944_8626936774562840389_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending off Ben Macdui yesterday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>The last week in January has seen more changeable weather and snow conditions. One day of snow to low levels, cold and relative 'calm', the next day rain and wind. We've had some very different weather day by day. Just a typical winter really. Yesterday and on Monday I was running a winter skills course for Steven & Juliet. Just by pure chance they booked 2 days of great weather and conditions. That's the way it goes really. We've had another couple of named storms passing through, thankfully they were on my 'rest days'. </p><p>Here's some images from the last week.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7QG0Nd1N_uCKKrrgWFr-niTtDAfR76HMNkAbDTlYMV3wXGYy4X09PBxSG09kgMKhSHW3T98T-0WXWrmNk6EvE9q4fAI4OGUG_r6nolIMDe4csfZ1ObJs-Uvaic_QGaloMVm81KDFNVehFejkAg5HejRX8kF1oTWf_QNQRTBqw7sLZ1UZ464X8ObuPEM/s2048/421605680_7332295860139205_3883078646825349441_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7QG0Nd1N_uCKKrrgWFr-niTtDAfR76HMNkAbDTlYMV3wXGYy4X09PBxSG09kgMKhSHW3T98T-0WXWrmNk6EvE9q4fAI4OGUG_r6nolIMDe4csfZ1ObJs-Uvaic_QGaloMVm81KDFNVehFejkAg5HejRX8kF1oTWf_QNQRTBqw7sLZ1UZ464X8ObuPEM/w640-h480/421605680_7332295860139205_3883078646825349441_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor weather, snow loss and difficult wildlife photography for Fabio</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Last Thursday Fabio and Leana were on a Mountain Hare photography day. We had rescheduled it from 2 days previously because of the stormy conditions. Unfortunately this was the only day they had left on their holiday from Italy. But we persevered and managed a few images in rain and wind.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNecp74NiifWCrIo9sOS0YgWyf6FB4fRUc7fltDjG3VMttS0j-nsdRTxvLavnfNGJiQMKQV7_ZP5Jt4OozgJG0h525sB6buVf-L-uxVdP26aikwOyXSiQGd8RiQWhmBRKz5TTjIShRoJSILBU6m7gteg0jIX1Gqf1FDGVJNFp7fM8fKbf2l6FdRVqItGo/s2048/421649378_7336683689700422_1151310956246544162_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNecp74NiifWCrIo9sOS0YgWyf6FB4fRUc7fltDjG3VMttS0j-nsdRTxvLavnfNGJiQMKQV7_ZP5Jt4OozgJG0h525sB6buVf-L-uxVdP26aikwOyXSiQGd8RiQWhmBRKz5TTjIShRoJSILBU6m7gteg0jIX1Gqf1FDGVJNFp7fM8fKbf2l6FdRVqItGo/w640-h480/421649378_7336683689700422_1151310956246544162_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following day, same place!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It really is the luck of the draw. Only 24 hours later the temperatures had dropped, there was fresh snow above 500m and some terrific light for mountain hare photography.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYOKP-w_PSuqo_YHzNhrQGWMXpBCPjj7MwNOxYQV6JrVKq3_g72LKgOKtcp2pf5InLjmqjQlntYlrLaBjjv9FzDtRm5s9p-jTJ2mT3cfvC0wzlI4Ph9ABzFYpA2NsNdMdRDhyphenhyphenMrcrb2cr5v4TGyohTR8agK_NXdr1ZwQtp8P3ZVwLa0fhiAup-cmtJAM/s6000/IP7A8934.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYOKP-w_PSuqo_YHzNhrQGWMXpBCPjj7MwNOxYQV6JrVKq3_g72LKgOKtcp2pf5InLjmqjQlntYlrLaBjjv9FzDtRm5s9p-jTJ2mT3cfvC0wzlI4Ph9ABzFYpA2NsNdMdRDhyphenhyphenMrcrb2cr5v4TGyohTR8agK_NXdr1ZwQtp8P3ZVwLa0fhiAup-cmtJAM/w640-h426/IP7A8934.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mo Charaid in the snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xKUBbWtzZ0hHdYnzIoww0babUDG-UHkU_BJSaZa8xxqOCLj9FIC9fD3tudPW9Ltr8AHM-4Ngouo7kZtERjKbc17ck2Tt-pqEUZbZs3ZxszhkwrO6dpHYeqEghOA-6y2P42ePXC3-K5tkJH13vkyUOkHFVLmKwYmhIm1BDE3fKRsIQKcDKwSiyplIQrk/s5605/IP7A8731.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3737" data-original-width="5605" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xKUBbWtzZ0hHdYnzIoww0babUDG-UHkU_BJSaZa8xxqOCLj9FIC9fD3tudPW9Ltr8AHM-4Ngouo7kZtERjKbc17ck2Tt-pqEUZbZs3ZxszhkwrO6dpHYeqEghOA-6y2P42ePXC3-K5tkJH13vkyUOkHFVLmKwYmhIm1BDE3fKRsIQKcDKwSiyplIQrk/w640-h426/IP7A8731.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More snow drifting</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjC-jPwWwMbt7desqXHw9UXn6LRwQ2BPVZlGeIzoVzBeUI5rsCGILMfAAezQfjmnHVGc89f0DVWndsNg-5mC4LrgwJ1W3Yk4claYXYsUo4wfzg_JcdvN6FN2dBOOVxXkB89wOLN4v5VGQqKGW_Tm52r67DA2eAOyP6ZzoOnVDXChap-YCcKfeR28vpuoc/s5185/IP7A8451.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3457" data-original-width="5185" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjC-jPwWwMbt7desqXHw9UXn6LRwQ2BPVZlGeIzoVzBeUI5rsCGILMfAAezQfjmnHVGc89f0DVWndsNg-5mC4LrgwJ1W3Yk4claYXYsUo4wfzg_JcdvN6FN2dBOOVxXkB89wOLN4v5VGQqKGW_Tm52r67DA2eAOyP6ZzoOnVDXChap-YCcKfeR28vpuoc/w640-h426/IP7A8451.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shake in a break from the drifting snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br />There was still a stiff, cold breeze on Friday but my friend was posing nicely. The drifting snow covering him up so quickly. Waiting for the snow shake and yawning. Patience is the name of the game, even when it's well below freezing!<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVntAXksJf1VjAvzTY6QrH17nq7cb97uEPX50dZIqSdNRd5KSKr9PC0l27CnJhoIZsEzniyrchqL5DsnDN0oeAieu9YHsPs4Ez4INRSf922MNjqrUVXwRzdOX_ciuSekukzg1FG1jvQwBa8pzxnVPTNUyAe7rDc_Yw-NvSgnhNmsAFP3MYQNcwJ97wB8/s6000/IP7A8908.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVntAXksJf1VjAvzTY6QrH17nq7cb97uEPX50dZIqSdNRd5KSKr9PC0l27CnJhoIZsEzniyrchqL5DsnDN0oeAieu9YHsPs4Ez4INRSf922MNjqrUVXwRzdOX_ciuSekukzg1FG1jvQwBa8pzxnVPTNUyAe7rDc_Yw-NvSgnhNmsAFP3MYQNcwJ97wB8/w640-h426/IP7A8908.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A break again</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCxf3y4czpjok5QQ8Hyjf18Hrc6R_wMNxcxs3tfwByZcIVESfdsonUoMzEKrEAtOBB2SOvKWwUsemBpI2t2D1N5PLXX2usmJN3TgimC0DxokZuMSzffvccKaKx9wC4LpfW8qXtRv42-paXsTbMV4uBxaWaKxxV2GBFG407BfsSEfSsS-NUfqzrJZjU1A/s6000/IP7A8942.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCxf3y4czpjok5QQ8Hyjf18Hrc6R_wMNxcxs3tfwByZcIVESfdsonUoMzEKrEAtOBB2SOvKWwUsemBpI2t2D1N5PLXX2usmJN3TgimC0DxokZuMSzffvccKaKx9wC4LpfW8qXtRv42-paXsTbMV4uBxaWaKxxV2GBFG407BfsSEfSsS-NUfqzrJZjU1A/w640-h426/IP7A8942.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another shake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb16wNri_CT7rf__w1HTVkwbnE8A7xjj2x3aIHoX3QBjwnXrxCva0wIGRntYFYOvbidiwYbwH2_UANPMKLace_nUpzmhhkMiK_RBRWepvm18zfTSmzulXiR0z3AozZCJp3ncL30a-tt42UkJ7_D7Mcr9D25Df325iCPPQ4tsAbQF2I8Mply13azNUE7MA/s2048/421687704_7336682803033844_6446996476827355884_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb16wNri_CT7rf__w1HTVkwbnE8A7xjj2x3aIHoX3QBjwnXrxCva0wIGRntYFYOvbidiwYbwH2_UANPMKLace_nUpzmhhkMiK_RBRWepvm18zfTSmzulXiR0z3AozZCJp3ncL30a-tt42UkJ7_D7Mcr9D25Df325iCPPQ4tsAbQF2I8Mply13azNUE7MA/w640-h480/421687704_7336682803033844_6446996476827355884_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter again, Friday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>On Monday and Tuesday it was wonderful to be in the high Cairngorms in good weather and excellent snow. A warm spell over the weekend had wiped out much of the lower terrain but above 900m the snow was bullet hard after a drastic change in temperatures. A balmy 19 C was recorded at Kinlochewe on Sunday. Here in the Cairngorms the summit temperatures went from plus 5 C at Cairn Gorm summit to minus 5 C in the space of a few hours Sunday afternoon into the early hours of Monday. Perfect timing for Steven & Juliet on their course with me. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzprRFcp1YGZiorJinAUYP35agymu7vTiSLizxkMwfXKUWJzzBPLxNJ75mbtytk23LUJCVBeF_iQ0FztIjuSRAVgjTE8riYW5JXz7YjLEswt8E7OV6w0vxNnC0WVwlnzhCefAbwm47coUgkXbz18E2oqjj4LtntOSg3P6H6UrbcrDySGBolja9SNGfCBk/s2048/423237518_7348741775161280_406132438148538411_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzprRFcp1YGZiorJinAUYP35agymu7vTiSLizxkMwfXKUWJzzBPLxNJ75mbtytk23LUJCVBeF_iQ0FztIjuSRAVgjTE8riYW5JXz7YjLEswt8E7OV6w0vxNnC0WVwlnzhCefAbwm47coUgkXbz18E2oqjj4LtntOSg3P6H6UrbcrDySGBolja9SNGfCBk/w640-h480/423237518_7348741775161280_406132438148538411_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Macdui n full winter conditions, Monday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4k9JY3b6LQcfaH-YT_-7foU31BHAZOzSxUzeLsFNN_jwcL27_eSZTKnYk3YKvXoeoiy7AaQDOlsQNwhP_en5GuA3yS3SfCd5VUOVdaz9z3Ime8qgO01qHcyKLKVj3s_L1Wu2Azwj35_cvN__bMzGWyjWSmmn0eux-tev-K2xIwAmBO8uwSQ3ABDvQck/s2048/423327661_7348742241827900_8743556042657843045_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4k9JY3b6LQcfaH-YT_-7foU31BHAZOzSxUzeLsFNN_jwcL27_eSZTKnYk3YKvXoeoiy7AaQDOlsQNwhP_en5GuA3yS3SfCd5VUOVdaz9z3Ime8qgO01qHcyKLKVj3s_L1Wu2Azwj35_cvN__bMzGWyjWSmmn0eux-tev-K2xIwAmBO8uwSQ3ABDvQck/w640-h480/423327661_7348742241827900_8743556042657843045_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire an t-Sneachda. Monday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOHT0CA5gduKxCmACllq40pz5k0VOAXKw33YfM_aJ3kDaHY3ruGHTmo7qS6rFuL875TEjks686-5-hX11Hf9vxFZV2QO7bkMplO6tpNX5MShci8UKl5tcmg09y-aIFs0pjuS0vbOBO5HTWToIpM-cuHXHjcT8rpjurirDI4q1goSLXcZJrDQ4MfscmmE/s2048/423325802_7348721628496628_461247161657706165_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOHT0CA5gduKxCmACllq40pz5k0VOAXKw33YfM_aJ3kDaHY3ruGHTmo7qS6rFuL875TEjks686-5-hX11Hf9vxFZV2QO7bkMplO6tpNX5MShci8UKl5tcmg09y-aIFs0pjuS0vbOBO5HTWToIpM-cuHXHjcT8rpjurirDI4q1goSLXcZJrDQ4MfscmmE/w640-h480/423325802_7348721628496628_461247161657706165_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow loss lower down the mountain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVqYVzeZ5u7bVxHa3Qo-SMVo3fOsQfEUMGlaDZ9sVafDqsmTQLVLVhgY-p64OaTXfT1GaDxcM_8_hjECLGTVrA5MXxZbkrkqEwNhq790nJs9LjWCvngaqdEml2449Eh87AtaZWEP-2Oo7hKv4X4K2YoD5LPLYx53QqJiFVYgFdUk9wYUARnZFWIYvak4/s2048/423515759_7348727458496045_1418260910301742955_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVqYVzeZ5u7bVxHa3Qo-SMVo3fOsQfEUMGlaDZ9sVafDqsmTQLVLVhgY-p64OaTXfT1GaDxcM_8_hjECLGTVrA5MXxZbkrkqEwNhq790nJs9LjWCvngaqdEml2449Eh87AtaZWEP-2Oo7hKv4X4K2YoD5LPLYx53QqJiFVYgFdUk9wYUARnZFWIYvak4/w640-h480/423515759_7348727458496045_1418260910301742955_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crampons essential!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>We had a terrific day on Monday. There was solid snow and ice everywhere. Crampons essential, you wouldn't get far without them! There wasn't a breath of wind up high and some brightness later in the afternoon. Juliet & Steven have plenty of summer hillwalking experience and were looking for some skills to go out in the winter season.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8IweOXkU2IJbnQ960Qz1alA3yuMBCub5X3Uk5grUers2SR77H0y1EG2YxD_JfWz86W6o-osb0VBC-f7N3krmjdNr9hf50R7DvW9mggGbxAofEu1fvlSo_MFJiXCnva7jeqsTFmbq5ocFcqTBTa8LL-slCGNFy0nTZ23f8ipFsxWsU426tt8XC0NF3RM/s2048/423312147_7348740301828094_5148161733715897436_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8IweOXkU2IJbnQ960Qz1alA3yuMBCub5X3Uk5grUers2SR77H0y1EG2YxD_JfWz86W6o-osb0VBC-f7N3krmjdNr9hf50R7DvW9mggGbxAofEu1fvlSo_MFJiXCnva7jeqsTFmbq5ocFcqTBTa8LL-slCGNFy0nTZ23f8ipFsxWsU426tt8XC0NF3RM/w640-h480/423312147_7348740301828094_5148161733715897436_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire an t-sneachda, Monday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>On Tuesday we decided on a good leg stretch over to Ben Macdui. After spending some more time in Coir an Lochain with axe and crampon technique we headed up on the plateau. Unfortunately the sun was replaced with cloud and the winds increased.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7M_XZgBtF6Xmm3rFlvQkV8mdGKtjkKzTUQhRv1dElwheqdI_5gzqVTM-c5qB0XYlOupnLzsW4H60Xi_SnnX99FfhPZPVqy3sMTt1pw6lcaCNYtQXwyr5YFSx4om23FOAQ2uubmWDKb1OHr9dE-2lONseMAYE7nZBEaa3Mk45PbN9sez5mavFverEaQw/s2048/423311859_7352875571414567_5169642989982631113_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7M_XZgBtF6Xmm3rFlvQkV8mdGKtjkKzTUQhRv1dElwheqdI_5gzqVTM-c5qB0XYlOupnLzsW4H60Xi_SnnX99FfhPZPVqy3sMTt1pw6lcaCNYtQXwyr5YFSx4om23FOAQ2uubmWDKb1OHr9dE-2lONseMAYE7nZBEaa3Mk45PbN9sez5mavFverEaQw/w640-h480/423311859_7352875571414567_5169642989982631113_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect snow conditions</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7LWqtAGtDEjzvvPNWUeyy5eMwRhmtT-E-r0FW0xJmEg_i7u6J07Nba8MD_AU4RAmYi5qyX81QE9CBNE-AO369LMHHOGFsGll4rGHqxQQaC6a0tVD3VmF9T1eEKMClIkFylyThWqkPtoTAe5DBE0439-5WtVDRXbS52CVyz4Ep71JexwxEMmCj2eUx5E/s2048/423313206_7352877761414348_785613730871293023_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7LWqtAGtDEjzvvPNWUeyy5eMwRhmtT-E-r0FW0xJmEg_i7u6J07Nba8MD_AU4RAmYi5qyX81QE9CBNE-AO369LMHHOGFsGll4rGHqxQQaC6a0tVD3VmF9T1eEKMClIkFylyThWqkPtoTAe5DBE0439-5WtVDRXbS52CVyz4Ep71JexwxEMmCj2eUx5E/w640-h480/423313206_7352877761414348_785613730871293023_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairngorm plateau, full winter conditions still above 900m</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIGMl8t7QBwEycdMiVTs_a-oF5fINwO3ekqxEVizm4XKYpWGG_PFFFOQ4PupWNIAXk6JHpBDgUzdyWfYTHgwvId9g-nfGZFrdQvXIsrdG7zXsErtcSg9dfrD5QQXnhGlKDKmdC2AvI-JHUuV-wjNm8wbNhM-K7G9s00sz3S4UMdWUB2iuJ5L2stTrF9A/s2048/423326544_7352883908080400_8072445916875281384_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="2048" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIGMl8t7QBwEycdMiVTs_a-oF5fINwO3ekqxEVizm4XKYpWGG_PFFFOQ4PupWNIAXk6JHpBDgUzdyWfYTHgwvId9g-nfGZFrdQvXIsrdG7zXsErtcSg9dfrD5QQXnhGlKDKmdC2AvI-JHUuV-wjNm8wbNhM-K7G9s00sz3S4UMdWUB2iuJ5L2stTrF9A/w640-h390/423326544_7352883908080400_8072445916875281384_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire an Lochain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcMbDLgq_q4_AvpJazL-bQjA7l8MxRJaXM2x0BOy543mdotGSe5yxknO-iVVJCxT5jeyhkRXx22nNDAiusb2Jfl3z9FJoSCKVgQMFVyl7PO-0mTh3aI8HvFj33AFPh-H6HCZnJr8Lbar32H30vOL5GQ_2Y8NoevNGZTplu-OVfv1jBh0S8v4H9rt-n_s/s2048/423516412_7352876578081133_4186443758785763784_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcMbDLgq_q4_AvpJazL-bQjA7l8MxRJaXM2x0BOy543mdotGSe5yxknO-iVVJCxT5jeyhkRXx22nNDAiusb2Jfl3z9FJoSCKVgQMFVyl7PO-0mTh3aI8HvFj33AFPh-H6HCZnJr8Lbar32H30vOL5GQ_2Y8NoevNGZTplu-OVfv1jBh0S8v4H9rt-n_s/w640-h480/423516412_7352876578081133_4186443758785763784_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Macdui summit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>We didn't get much in the way of views on our journey across the plateau but on the return the clouds lifted a bit in the gusty winds.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKJ9Mje8l6NSBFvQxTbc0t-9pXdKlCnpyDTF7xOI0aEJ8vDfM6dn2n2WZcsAndLIoYMX67OFSiZmVbEkygAYI1YZrYY9pYqiQDs3feeefY25C-NfRcCG5a5c_eb8tlf4NV9x0N0F6l2XrGJAVMNmGGENQJ4BxyHJ0fOpyQGOP12oRLtSA63Md9f64D4Y/s2048/423554440_7352878018080989_7499144103254225314_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKJ9Mje8l6NSBFvQxTbc0t-9pXdKlCnpyDTF7xOI0aEJ8vDfM6dn2n2WZcsAndLIoYMX67OFSiZmVbEkygAYI1YZrYY9pYqiQDs3feeefY25C-NfRcCG5a5c_eb8tlf4NV9x0N0F6l2XrGJAVMNmGGENQJ4BxyHJ0fOpyQGOP12oRLtSA63Md9f64D4Y/w640-h480/423554440_7352878018080989_7499144103254225314_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon sun & windier around Feithe Buidhe</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdYVLAUmQyZnkGsY7G-YNJk1NSUcy156fgRR7aseybhVNAMWUj5KJ4I9fxNERV3cfLl9_1ZEXZlByHexjZJJEHH0k1Y-23-GikEXsxsdlIhM26J7nz3ttgJREGYhvukzOctk2hB6Jb980ZeQ-RzhEHR-PXadZSjOXbvmUwwT6_IAyG5OXmQvf5uCVJ80/s2048/423247621_7352875341414590_6898868619639839447_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdYVLAUmQyZnkGsY7G-YNJk1NSUcy156fgRR7aseybhVNAMWUj5KJ4I9fxNERV3cfLl9_1ZEXZlByHexjZJJEHH0k1Y-23-GikEXsxsdlIhM26J7nz3ttgJREGYhvukzOctk2hB6Jb980ZeQ-RzhEHR-PXadZSjOXbvmUwwT6_IAyG5OXmQvf5uCVJ80/w640-h480/423247621_7352875341414590_6898868619639839447_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun trying its best to peek through the cloud</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgfIsehk9ZRBs-rdl3D8H-h9y4G2Ru72CeQaEyl_lREgVpUF69D6e2l3XoL-vXimsz3v_eYUYwPfG4Cel6rw_CRmJb61Tpb3Qmytg9NTye78f5Y2cfvO1o_q9j9BTKj3-hiuM3R5PmmcFrY7VBUYi-z9AcanDF10wJEPkbql9SPvH0C01XcFx98DUqNk/s2048/423237076_7352875134747944_8626936774562840389_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgfIsehk9ZRBs-rdl3D8H-h9y4G2Ru72CeQaEyl_lREgVpUF69D6e2l3XoL-vXimsz3v_eYUYwPfG4Cel6rw_CRmJb61Tpb3Qmytg9NTye78f5Y2cfvO1o_q9j9BTKj3-hiuM3R5PmmcFrY7VBUYi-z9AcanDF10wJEPkbql9SPvH0C01XcFx98DUqNk/w640-h480/423237076_7352875134747944_8626936774562840389_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glimpse of Braerich</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxZWrxhv2JRWXfF9F7UT9W0rE1osnt13gArw5UmQBJG7PxPnHAVYhVFEHcgPG-ed8Eh5PYMg2ezg_S12crHnCT2I1qidoSZM1HNQKjJu38LfpnSl0HuaBlSYWTNNMzmTpFM0HjSXMNJIRHDwOL-U-g8DkigreDT2HdLBpkegGUew8e3OzrxpqzMdhzTg/s2048/423328012_7352877001414424_1413935126388103129_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxZWrxhv2JRWXfF9F7UT9W0rE1osnt13gArw5UmQBJG7PxPnHAVYhVFEHcgPG-ed8Eh5PYMg2ezg_S12crHnCT2I1qidoSZM1HNQKjJu38LfpnSl0HuaBlSYWTNNMzmTpFM0HjSXMNJIRHDwOL-U-g8DkigreDT2HdLBpkegGUew8e3OzrxpqzMdhzTg/w640-h480/423328012_7352877001414424_1413935126388103129_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another full day in crampons</td></tr></tbody></table>Walking for a full 7 hours in crampons is tiring, especially on some easy angled terrain. In these conditions you would't get very far without crampons. Plenty of water ice around too. By the time we got back to the Lochan Buidhe area and over towards the top of the Goat Track the gusts of wind had got up to 50mph. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7i7xlka3Qu5X8GFMJGbzJwNUFeUJCO85OP-3uU6ehfElIrD4-c0gBuCeeyIUQBPXZHNpa-qVaNlAs5nxE2obS3ss8sih6Chh977cdOF_AnHmQYWeqyPsmqrwTpa8yAcj4bBDV5uue3VZOwbzcQZTK45SVlHyQgaFS5y8zaFFY-zg72AZ6NRzkhdOQFy0/s2048/423539819_7352878634747594_3181719674128355321_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7i7xlka3Qu5X8GFMJGbzJwNUFeUJCO85OP-3uU6ehfElIrD4-c0gBuCeeyIUQBPXZHNpa-qVaNlAs5nxE2obS3ss8sih6Chh977cdOF_AnHmQYWeqyPsmqrwTpa8yAcj4bBDV5uue3VZOwbzcQZTK45SVlHyQgaFS5y8zaFFY-zg72AZ6NRzkhdOQFy0/w640-h480/423539819_7352878634747594_3181719674128355321_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind, sun & ice</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bvfSWMHcrkK5ImdtIYjsqKSNk0f9gUhri01abhfSs7kArJdWjbV3d_x17j4urxkvt-R5kjF7OZ6aA4P_v4NY2JF7obFBt_roLKQpeVrWPvAeB3o1OMu6naAXSuyljujNok-nNfczQD8gOpyUKGcycyLq7WrI0YpGwYIo5rBM8k0rZw8u1WSvxsIE9JY/s2048/423312159_7352878188080972_1371662946232953972_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bvfSWMHcrkK5ImdtIYjsqKSNk0f9gUhri01abhfSs7kArJdWjbV3d_x17j4urxkvt-R5kjF7OZ6aA4P_v4NY2JF7obFBt_roLKQpeVrWPvAeB3o1OMu6naAXSuyljujNok-nNfczQD8gOpyUKGcycyLq7WrI0YpGwYIo5rBM8k0rZw8u1WSvxsIE9JY/w640-h480/423312159_7352878188080972_1371662946232953972_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great snow cover</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKMIyOUkI05lgwfatqdk25p4UnE0Z4hoyMcNRLPIggKNhBGwllPsMX_V61EC8dZ5oRqkyg-d_mfRhG4JIEhOeoU4jWZ-fdUaHSFd2IrLySa4JnAQVrWaAeYa4XiTQbbeubP4XYJA1d0s1bnpa1cJeUxRpClrqPc_6bvDgCCRxamSh-ZoNXGz_0-xLY1A/s2048/423311857_7352879841414140_6228593006690004021_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKMIyOUkI05lgwfatqdk25p4UnE0Z4hoyMcNRLPIggKNhBGwllPsMX_V61EC8dZ5oRqkyg-d_mfRhG4JIEhOeoU4jWZ-fdUaHSFd2IrLySa4JnAQVrWaAeYa4XiTQbbeubP4XYJA1d0s1bnpa1cJeUxRpClrqPc_6bvDgCCRxamSh-ZoNXGz_0-xLY1A/w640-h480/423311857_7352879841414140_6228593006690004021_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Reindeer enjoying a snow free feed at 800m</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>A top couple of days and good conditions. The winds of this latest storm today ( Wednesday) are starting to ease again. Hopefully it will be more pleasant on the hills tomorrow. February is always the busiest time in winter for guiding and winter skills. I've only<a href="https://www.tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk/2-day-winter-skills-scotland.html" target="_blank"> 4 free dates available in February. </a> Get them while you can!<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-1286210714365525482024-01-24T16:00:00.002+00:002024-01-24T16:00:12.742+00:00AN ARCTIC BLAST<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MN-G709ulrQLr4ntXUYk4pK9pikLgoNeN-y-xi3MHLE9LtbaSzN3D0hpqZi_vf5FDySBi-kP_yAAKEo26MfTodS7_rXx2RfNU-GDyMMiQ0lub4WLO2OFh5I1YrCkG_AMqKNduytt6QEwl71XDaMrlT6mtmN9K_Zc2BDRLD9GvCxkqBtvlOxstjK6FQ8/s6000/IP7A7894.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MN-G709ulrQLr4ntXUYk4pK9pikLgoNeN-y-xi3MHLE9LtbaSzN3D0hpqZi_vf5FDySBi-kP_yAAKEo26MfTodS7_rXx2RfNU-GDyMMiQ0lub4WLO2OFh5I1YrCkG_AMqKNduytt6QEwl71XDaMrlT6mtmN9K_Zc2BDRLD9GvCxkqBtvlOxstjK6FQ8/w640-h426/IP7A7894.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold temperatures, nothing these guys can't put up with</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>What do they say on the news? <a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/a_week_is_a_long_time_in_politics" target="_blank">A weeks is a long time in politics</a>? Well a week in the Scottish mountains can havedrastic changes too. The last seven days we have seen some extraordinary and changeable conditions, temperatures and winds! Arctic, snowstorm, high windchill to rain, some snowloss and two named storms. Here's a few images and words from my recent guiding trips.</p><p>TUESDAY 16 JANUARY</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0yppbCprx6fcqP4mE-JUIKLaLcTVOnAuJsQX9fV5PPOdgLoUDUsscS5EoEZXXeaPPTha8h2CHu6rDKEQDbOLOF-Dlbp1B8-w1XcI2v_eQp_pVNuwjnHwbEIZA_YxCVt9rOg3JGtGxFQPQ_tcUdWTHrXwE2FTDmiwrFuNyHPosvE0qMYaDqM9F7M6P2M/s2048/419948333_7298801270155331_2942354625779444476_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0yppbCprx6fcqP4mE-JUIKLaLcTVOnAuJsQX9fV5PPOdgLoUDUsscS5EoEZXXeaPPTha8h2CHu6rDKEQDbOLOF-Dlbp1B8-w1XcI2v_eQp_pVNuwjnHwbEIZA_YxCVt9rOg3JGtGxFQPQ_tcUdWTHrXwE2FTDmiwrFuNyHPosvE0qMYaDqM9F7M6P2M/w480-h640/419948333_7298801270155331_2942354625779444476_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fergus enjoying the full winter experience, 17th January</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyHsGTdRMb8agfeG4T4qvG2PTRtpe9tc21F7XtzKUDa1zDlmbLw_yxFGt72JctuihvVNmLb0jnOBLdXKemsIk_4tK8YzD1x0wEFixEIkyBXxL8IwYaVsCJVfgmatu0vWOb8qEhwNp0HTqLKIbTIfFT9_1-dRw2PHO11OOLUjKKfUrQ24Pv51JfOUfLhE/s2048/419968816_7298801463488645_664849946559879872_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyHsGTdRMb8agfeG4T4qvG2PTRtpe9tc21F7XtzKUDa1zDlmbLw_yxFGt72JctuihvVNmLb0jnOBLdXKemsIk_4tK8YzD1x0wEFixEIkyBXxL8IwYaVsCJVfgmatu0vWOb8qEhwNp0HTqLKIbTIfFT9_1-dRw2PHO11OOLUjKKfUrQ24Pv51JfOUfLhE/w640-h480/419968816_7298801463488645_664849946559879872_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderful</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>On 16th January Fergus was out on a day of winter skills. Fergus is a professional wildlife film maker and was looking for a day of essential skills to keep him safe whilst he is out on the hills filming in winter. Not great views for any photography today. It was poor visibility for much of the day. By the time we got back to the car there was a fair few cm's of fresh snow plastered over the vehicle. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNG21MWFw4mHe-dn6i8XtOoWOgQTMY8WBdazVGEVqp1kASiZeDKk_yh4xo1m-Ld_tJrIJgGa2s5Hdlovz5eSTKmylY9NZ2p2n1zfMdC3kekURpvU3O6jLpAeQ6Whte2otNXQ2GKptRNSmEi3WSUwSiTCZHBC6P2JSCFy2CKajBNhmh-A83HQ2XwLH0FGg/s2048/419947927_7298802300155228_3730607723203313834_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNG21MWFw4mHe-dn6i8XtOoWOgQTMY8WBdazVGEVqp1kASiZeDKk_yh4xo1m-Ld_tJrIJgGa2s5Hdlovz5eSTKmylY9NZ2p2n1zfMdC3kekURpvU3O6jLpAeQ6Whte2otNXQ2GKptRNSmEi3WSUwSiTCZHBC6P2JSCFy2CKajBNhmh-A83HQ2XwLH0FGg/w640-h480/419947927_7298802300155228_3730607723203313834_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhUMREtVAhB6Nsei9xHkwB4_RC0Z4BNDUIBuZ1yhHAMYtsJYCxqaHvfzCrSZOVe-gsqGrWVw8rRa73eyzQjpJ_oNshnSMKVtOjkBTZI5_1MfESyDG_XcDMLsTbacklVn16qfQC9xbCopZQ6b9bDl4Gt9f0yXiJNBngmQgRmA4la-bT2lqdkDeG7HQYC4/s2048/419945569_7298805310154927_5569914111880049478_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhUMREtVAhB6Nsei9xHkwB4_RC0Z4BNDUIBuZ1yhHAMYtsJYCxqaHvfzCrSZOVe-gsqGrWVw8rRa73eyzQjpJ_oNshnSMKVtOjkBTZI5_1MfESyDG_XcDMLsTbacklVn16qfQC9xbCopZQ6b9bDl4Gt9f0yXiJNBngmQgRmA4la-bT2lqdkDeG7HQYC4/w640-h480/419945569_7298805310154927_5569914111880049478_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best of the visibility today</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>WEDNESDAY 17 JANUARY</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALQ7LpwR4uwjbQyGNSRVfnLqOyPFAXqwMJqpb2b22W-6yvcWHwJhyphenhyphenKPHb3PY1RwQ6sIGJj8ajWdHPCVp9isCPMTmggipZs4pSJHPGgmvFeLuJXhjp6IyRBeRWjoafjtALydXGynI3A4riMaDH9XmMUjBjkpVC7KgjGWBdS3VQlLWIMfXiWuuOCCXHGGE/s5287/IP7A7937.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3525" data-original-width="5287" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALQ7LpwR4uwjbQyGNSRVfnLqOyPFAXqwMJqpb2b22W-6yvcWHwJhyphenhyphenKPHb3PY1RwQ6sIGJj8ajWdHPCVp9isCPMTmggipZs4pSJHPGgmvFeLuJXhjp6IyRBeRWjoafjtALydXGynI3A4riMaDH9XmMUjBjkpVC7KgjGWBdS3VQlLWIMfXiWuuOCCXHGGE/w640-h427/IP7A7937.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mo Charaid in sub freezing temperatures</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVR4Gysuj1ajruiyT0MNKGgoMpwCT0N8Aofo7Y-Fp0EPvJ7sC9wmm506JZV2CsPbhHynVAQSLzMs28eelBqGzXV48t2dTMJdWEmcDfChVGPJUWgRrgnFAviCGEwICdSdCJXPqdz62y5_hrut95qQO4KAguc7_6tYsSjSodw_zXMEZlx9WLEUZa2FwChBQ/s6000/IP7A7173.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVR4Gysuj1ajruiyT0MNKGgoMpwCT0N8Aofo7Y-Fp0EPvJ7sC9wmm506JZV2CsPbhHynVAQSLzMs28eelBqGzXV48t2dTMJdWEmcDfChVGPJUWgRrgnFAviCGEwICdSdCJXPqdz62y5_hrut95qQO4KAguc7_6tYsSjSodw_zXMEZlx9WLEUZa2FwChBQ/w640-h426/IP7A7173.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light drifting and sunshine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fWX5bgG10ZDtByScGj9K25VRhgvuX8gxFvWree7-Z8sVo1fz-AMFNmfDekEnnmxgpVeke667oxUxp-5bi03uDbkX0TdicEwX22carqOQqk6dz_iZWkNBzdgBlLP85wIR-Np4xosybiwLVbGAFayJ5AYgpDc5ua8p_vwziJPlmc-fZVEVDqH8rOmVvo0/s2048/419733465_7302340826468042_4604895221638034456_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fWX5bgG10ZDtByScGj9K25VRhgvuX8gxFvWree7-Z8sVo1fz-AMFNmfDekEnnmxgpVeke667oxUxp-5bi03uDbkX0TdicEwX22carqOQqk6dz_iZWkNBzdgBlLP85wIR-Np4xosybiwLVbGAFayJ5AYgpDc5ua8p_vwziJPlmc-fZVEVDqH8rOmVvo0/w640-h480/419733465_7302340826468042_4604895221638034456_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p>On Wednesday I was booked to take a family group out snowshoeing. Unfortunately they had to cacel, coming all the way from the USA too! Such a shame as we had superb snow conditions all the way down to Aviemore level. Yesterday evening the snow fell heavily through the night. I was left with a free day. It was superb, I went photographing the beautiful mountain hares. High windchill despite the winds of only 20mph or so where I was at 800m. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0PMFdz13Yi3qchgq9_-FO1iLaTsNWa_WDubSsvc1iZdHstuKuDDxxmo-sgeeWUupSG0xSjhSTaDiSJtNaaT32BkG6NMaotMBFl6IEGkwLnSfU6UkfdsARJ7CgaStNobKKV5Zyi9jAQaAPgOqkC1t-gcF3tQP2hn0Vu9ARMgfA755AVlcjjuTKtPJvyU/s4938/IP7A7343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3292" data-original-width="4938" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0PMFdz13Yi3qchgq9_-FO1iLaTsNWa_WDubSsvc1iZdHstuKuDDxxmo-sgeeWUupSG0xSjhSTaDiSJtNaaT32BkG6NMaotMBFl6IEGkwLnSfU6UkfdsARJ7CgaStNobKKV5Zyi9jAQaAPgOqkC1t-gcF3tQP2hn0Vu9ARMgfA755AVlcjjuTKtPJvyU/w640-h426/IP7A7343.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mo Charaid</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nQjmW6FDiRWQKAwKokDE45Ud80V969bPyq0YNE1eWEA1TV_FN30PnFNZO-vTCb1vnwmYEIvLEz9NwyuaAj0U-nAzGCtQg7shyphenhyphenN43_x0IASz2A_xXLMquz-jVySJkwiO_-RATLyt0xnx7dm3HgOdaAeJMuvz4aO49MRyjf8E509o2cWDHCOca70ztM0c/s6000/IP7A7827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nQjmW6FDiRWQKAwKokDE45Ud80V969bPyq0YNE1eWEA1TV_FN30PnFNZO-vTCb1vnwmYEIvLEz9NwyuaAj0U-nAzGCtQg7shyphenhyphenN43_x0IASz2A_xXLMquz-jVySJkwiO_-RATLyt0xnx7dm3HgOdaAeJMuvz4aO49MRyjf8E509o2cWDHCOca70ztM0c/w640-h426/IP7A7827.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drifting snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It was wonderful spending a couple of hours with my friend. The snow drifted over him , he just lay there as if it was no big deal.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zXOpYPprIWOEZzecwZ0MhWX4Q3HSDVtmBov2qpv2pDSyiTYBelFKNxo6L2VD4ip8PZXyz7dgIMezeqTMGz_wzMqIqtZbIABwIriGCQXw7lmxjxnEPGOhHGMJwLpB9Kq55GZc_4svkfnbbsCG9MXorHTj1CZ_3SDQVtsLsIBlxNXmSFvjE58om224Iyk/s5404/IP7A7940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3603" data-original-width="5404" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zXOpYPprIWOEZzecwZ0MhWX4Q3HSDVtmBov2qpv2pDSyiTYBelFKNxo6L2VD4ip8PZXyz7dgIMezeqTMGz_wzMqIqtZbIABwIriGCQXw7lmxjxnEPGOhHGMJwLpB9Kq55GZc_4svkfnbbsCG9MXorHTj1CZ_3SDQVtsLsIBlxNXmSFvjE58om224Iyk/w640-h426/IP7A7940.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_q-gSIkODBvg5dSfbU5m-nDh9zVt61C_PIY2QFKiE0EPiRv1roSgbRKcz1U5afbJzu1PQRsuyzCgCA-SnQ8Ow0NPeoczAC8YUx4QqtnAeOkBxJ4NCKHJrbb67fKqIzA6UX8AD2ONlpu7MbJT6SPJdMWJVA1kpfZp2rdgCcBlKdEwFta83DsJyAxajOPo/s2048/419977243_7302340453134746_6601524956853681956_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_q-gSIkODBvg5dSfbU5m-nDh9zVt61C_PIY2QFKiE0EPiRv1roSgbRKcz1U5afbJzu1PQRsuyzCgCA-SnQ8Ow0NPeoczAC8YUx4QqtnAeOkBxJ4NCKHJrbb67fKqIzA6UX8AD2ONlpu7MbJT6SPJdMWJVA1kpfZp2rdgCcBlKdEwFta83DsJyAxajOPo/w640-h480/419977243_7302340453134746_6601524956853681956_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent snow cover again</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ67fItWXcie_7gqvPj8pdyRX5fM3TOsh5rKshfCA8hTQJS-C63GTEHm_-rPz7yykf6wXDnv3GAspUPFWPCrbvlst6BRYVhM7JthvrwW0VuLIC2aMMUb6vP_fcO-u4DhrSMVekz1e6kukps7pJZ6_St4b5M9b79dyWhS2vn5In-MNROnKK_HK9Nj69CU/s1824/420028297_7302342596467865_2571677048198120713_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ67fItWXcie_7gqvPj8pdyRX5fM3TOsh5rKshfCA8hTQJS-C63GTEHm_-rPz7yykf6wXDnv3GAspUPFWPCrbvlst6BRYVhM7JthvrwW0VuLIC2aMMUb6vP_fcO-u4DhrSMVekz1e6kukps7pJZ6_St4b5M9b79dyWhS2vn5In-MNROnKK_HK9Nj69CU/w640-h480/420028297_7302342596467865_2571677048198120713_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fine end to the day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>THURSDAY 18 JANUARY</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpH2-cZLkTa1CCO0aNLh9vEgbU4PoduVpnTW3Zl-ayoB7TPz4MjqNBEH7HJYR-4dgzZuvjYxFA7TBCIGwLXzK6kYU8o45JpbQrnEhww1Juo2GD6847XSvx5pGBpKRrzFRUqZX9J1fXO94jsqqOLovnYr6zrNL37zWgXuNftTBHXAFTymReoKDxtEAo8M/s5211/IP7A8020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3474" data-original-width="5211" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpH2-cZLkTa1CCO0aNLh9vEgbU4PoduVpnTW3Zl-ayoB7TPz4MjqNBEH7HJYR-4dgzZuvjYxFA7TBCIGwLXzK6kYU8o45JpbQrnEhww1Juo2GD6847XSvx5pGBpKRrzFRUqZX9J1fXO94jsqqOLovnYr6zrNL37zWgXuNftTBHXAFTymReoKDxtEAo8M/w640-h426/IP7A8020.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second most adorable animal</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I made the most of the good weather and snow low on the ground today. Another sub zero temperature conditions at Aviemore level. Photographing the adorable red squirrels in snow is special. These lovely creatures are well seen throughout the Cairngorms National Park. I went to <a href="https://www.neilmcintyre.com/sessions/red-squirrel-photography-hide/" target="_blank">Neil McIntyre's hide</a> tucked away in the Rothiemurcus Forest.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtRPdpGO4qurcm2S1CszfrFXuFbxZFQ1uj0UueXVfcpyGiBaMwb0L4fYfEMsgN_0hzcIcpSBEv1CS2HSwWy2nT9yJqahsepcIRtxKwj9_5jdEDVotdxw0AfWRohLmsKX1KH36rAoSuT_1QaJENy1-CQCOP6k0Gdk0OoIUkgU9v1ysEgCt-b-jIwwVnfQ/s5097/IP7A8070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3398" data-original-width="5097" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtRPdpGO4qurcm2S1CszfrFXuFbxZFQ1uj0UueXVfcpyGiBaMwb0L4fYfEMsgN_0hzcIcpSBEv1CS2HSwWy2nT9yJqahsepcIRtxKwj9_5jdEDVotdxw0AfWRohLmsKX1KH36rAoSuT_1QaJENy1-CQCOP6k0Gdk0OoIUkgU9v1ysEgCt-b-jIwwVnfQ/w640-h426/IP7A8070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMz7SFWBOpBL_741JOyJF2Coeqen6eljqyspbfEKo4fdI32e9OyE-U5rkq_Xp8S2ZLWJyj_H33AVkNliAFr0xHuB36EVxB1LIeU1r0_U37b_puLBGh3eRQUx0qZFEIs927e12zh8DdJTJQPi3vJaSLYbeJ1QoK2_zg5rk2ApD4DUA5uYgLTunZAn39Sik/s5225/IP7A8096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3483" data-original-width="5225" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMz7SFWBOpBL_741JOyJF2Coeqen6eljqyspbfEKo4fdI32e9OyE-U5rkq_Xp8S2ZLWJyj_H33AVkNliAFr0xHuB36EVxB1LIeU1r0_U37b_puLBGh3eRQUx0qZFEIs927e12zh8DdJTJQPi3vJaSLYbeJ1QoK2_zg5rk2ApD4DUA5uYgLTunZAn39Sik/w640-h426/IP7A8096.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlH1hKC4KMTzfCiwEManwTfD8WxB8wub6Kh8avJw_3iblUuq3FNxM7ODui87Uf3C9c-FvcCydswywarceHsVzHJfIPnWdKTxtw7In6jnmOWF0W3CuPslMUDlnjxL0U2PjFLLsnHXROAh2N0dTvrVPAPLEIH4EewpemLqnd_C8uNYfTnE2r7k7KvC_iaU/s5189/IP7A8167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3459" data-original-width="5189" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlH1hKC4KMTzfCiwEManwTfD8WxB8wub6Kh8avJw_3iblUuq3FNxM7ODui87Uf3C9c-FvcCydswywarceHsVzHJfIPnWdKTxtw7In6jnmOWF0W3CuPslMUDlnjxL0U2PjFLLsnHXROAh2N0dTvrVPAPLEIH4EewpemLqnd_C8uNYfTnE2r7k7KvC_iaU/w640-h426/IP7A8167.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>SATURDAY 20 JANUARY</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtyGPzMy1Tva1YsySHTe2-uCqP-J6Rhz6AzqbhIM0dvaIMMYnEnhOHGwNXX3UbzMSzUP03dUS-LcQX6Z_gjTzhsMRWgcvT40BlAvD_9Yjmexcao1m6sMDiZEjWwS8KRM_MJUvo3fLyy45aSzz5hl6Yp2VulkBzQp_hCDHIZoPVPSnB_fvzGpV4cUjT-Q/s2048/421190287_7314410425261082_7769858069097088800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtyGPzMy1Tva1YsySHTe2-uCqP-J6Rhz6AzqbhIM0dvaIMMYnEnhOHGwNXX3UbzMSzUP03dUS-LcQX6Z_gjTzhsMRWgcvT40BlAvD_9Yjmexcao1m6sMDiZEjWwS8KRM_MJUvo3fLyy45aSzz5hl6Yp2VulkBzQp_hCDHIZoPVPSnB_fvzGpV4cUjT-Q/w640-h480/421190287_7314410425261082_7769858069097088800_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul & Rachel on the summit of Ben Nevis</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Over n the west for the weekend, guiding Paul & Rachel. They had booked to traverse the fabulous CMD arete on Ben Nevis. Unfortunately their weekend we had a huge change in the weather system. On Friday the temperatures were already on the rise as our wonderful Arctic weather drifted away and the Atlantic weather systems rolled in. Wind is always the biggest enemy in winter. With speeds of 40, gusting 60mph forecast for both days we had a chat and the couple from Oxford decided on an ascent of Ben Nevis via the Pony Track.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM0U3Q8L3yRVmpiNIPfHkafbgs_hC4xlQZJkKH2dxaNBxq_VUCzXs3n0jZhAzwTxgYYkfidSs_YBhLOst1hCuJHiNOCK4e6bfPQfTE0AGsajlx91EQfODofvd0QweLzfa5W_cBdbq0C_S8mXB701BDpYWbbiHbdtJsx2t-F0EBC-Gs9uCGrztgwPzJ0M/s2048/419977528_7314411598594298_8679934941557727495_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM0U3Q8L3yRVmpiNIPfHkafbgs_hC4xlQZJkKH2dxaNBxq_VUCzXs3n0jZhAzwTxgYYkfidSs_YBhLOst1hCuJHiNOCK4e6bfPQfTE0AGsajlx91EQfODofvd0QweLzfa5W_cBdbq0C_S8mXB701BDpYWbbiHbdtJsx2t-F0EBC-Gs9uCGrztgwPzJ0M/w640-h480/419977528_7314411598594298_8679934941557727495_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the clag and poor visibility at 800m</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqwItesG9ZJdjNbRdbg50cE1N7GoZEx7L9ZLpoJD3Go19t1M9REGmstigB2HdDM6fUmy8iZwCBNP4MzmTDtWDAKUgNuQW3s9fidxvg3wap3lbG2bplGACVY7qlQ3QZ1ZA-TWzpCZpY5vKqxksLhgbxOoRCjZJRrlyVYvbnMLPKG1zozuVWwALcyEyiVg/s2048/421199586_7314412748594183_229999308639394713_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqwItesG9ZJdjNbRdbg50cE1N7GoZEx7L9ZLpoJD3Go19t1M9REGmstigB2HdDM6fUmy8iZwCBNP4MzmTDtWDAKUgNuQW3s9fidxvg3wap3lbG2bplGACVY7qlQ3QZ1ZA-TWzpCZpY5vKqxksLhgbxOoRCjZJRrlyVYvbnMLPKG1zozuVWwALcyEyiVg/w640-h480/421199586_7314412748594183_229999308639394713_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visibility at 1000m</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwzFWnZaTOy-kzchp0pB9yQFv_aYv1KiX_2BPurv-sgtDSo5Ut2SpcAeIWW5cVx9p8XNYeN8uAYeF75aXkbXf4u7WCaT5CwT-sHj8-v1yPlfR0x9p4Cq2mFRqtF6tn73Qe9Q15OIfxAoymhiHEEDiP3umCC7yxmc2SQhDqsmI915AKG22x4AY0teIy0A/s2048/421145079_7314410745261050_5380040272337924949_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwzFWnZaTOy-kzchp0pB9yQFv_aYv1KiX_2BPurv-sgtDSo5Ut2SpcAeIWW5cVx9p8XNYeN8uAYeF75aXkbXf4u7WCaT5CwT-sHj8-v1yPlfR0x9p4Cq2mFRqtF6tn73Qe9Q15OIfxAoymhiHEEDiP3umCC7yxmc2SQhDqsmI915AKG22x4AY0teIy0A/w640-h480/421145079_7314410745261050_5380040272337924949_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The summit at 1345m</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>There was some light rain showers when we set off from Achintee. Mild and wet. Nice! At 700m we were in the snow and colder, thankfully. Despite a big jump in temperatures there is still huge amounts of snow on The Ben. It takes mor than a few days to wipe out winter conditions. We were walking in poor visibility all the way from 800m to the top and back down again. There were a few guided groups out. We also came across some individuals who weren't so well equipped. Their only form of navigation was following footprints in the snow. In conditions like we had I will always have my map and compass out, despite the fact I know The Ben like the back of my hand with over 400 ascents over the years.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjlfYmIcUzV5lYEkAO2ANLlJAh5CndXpgu1iwDAVsXInAS_cWNRiermxUIAjN0155HZyVcCu0PwsVsfebzdvkEqwtGteyKEgNNSXNGk5zhZgWE7nU0RejAK5-TWsccnqzc1KA2ZUHb_XBN1uIJpuFQTeCMhTUpRtB4ETTNM9O7VA0B4Fxy9Rpgh5zlRY/s2048/421174207_7314413688594089_9134895885093254618_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjlfYmIcUzV5lYEkAO2ANLlJAh5CndXpgu1iwDAVsXInAS_cWNRiermxUIAjN0155HZyVcCu0PwsVsfebzdvkEqwtGteyKEgNNSXNGk5zhZgWE7nU0RejAK5-TWsccnqzc1KA2ZUHb_XBN1uIJpuFQTeCMhTUpRtB4ETTNM9O7VA0B4Fxy9Rpgh5zlRY/w640-h480/421174207_7314413688594089_9134895885093254618_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles, despite not many views</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We finished off the day in the best pub in town (well nearly town), The legendary Ben Nevis Inn at the foot of the mountain.</p><p>SUNDAY 21 JANUARY</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-Kw1wkcfPF5TkljQKDaWVvqz7rynYSAyXQ-1-6xA40TYzG7Ty1jEI2Ql6VLYjx90QQ5_YJREqme74yKeVvNx3mReT9lZ6-aWTkoSRxsVzcMIA-9Qi2AoBHea83C6E426TKuOAWJgDNLRJfUwMbbhQU8mfsswt8QkzTt1i5N9xsdX1C5xOyYZB3LH1Mg/s2048/421116390_7317946781574113_4149470173873964035_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-Kw1wkcfPF5TkljQKDaWVvqz7rynYSAyXQ-1-6xA40TYzG7Ty1jEI2Ql6VLYjx90QQ5_YJREqme74yKeVvNx3mReT9lZ6-aWTkoSRxsVzcMIA-9Qi2AoBHea83C6E426TKuOAWJgDNLRJfUwMbbhQU8mfsswt8QkzTt1i5N9xsdX1C5xOyYZB3LH1Mg/w480-h640/421116390_7317946781574113_4149470173873964035_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good snow and ice hanging on</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>On Sunday we looked at the weather forecast. It wasn't looking entirely promising! With Storm Isha on it's way across the Atlantic we decided going to Glencoe and up into Coire an Lochan. This spectacular coire usually provides shelter from most wind directions.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5177e10tAQewK4q-W_MBCJAPhAdauk52u8BMArB_GHQGTPxwRQJa5j_KRidK_AqtyRtvMv14QgXZ4cDB7lJzcnIE2dCEAZemmUsAWopLlsN2FY5-GlltzCH8bGqTyJIsTmqmEEK8dsYYBagUn3UbLJ0xsR5o2g4LOZLN0kZqcw_nps-AZv6TO57gXPA/s2048/421139936_7317953401573451_8030057664625482699_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5177e10tAQewK4q-W_MBCJAPhAdauk52u8BMArB_GHQGTPxwRQJa5j_KRidK_AqtyRtvMv14QgXZ4cDB7lJzcnIE2dCEAZemmUsAWopLlsN2FY5-GlltzCH8bGqTyJIsTmqmEEK8dsYYBagUn3UbLJ0xsR5o2g4LOZLN0kZqcw_nps-AZv6TO57gXPA/w640-h480/421139936_7317953401573451_8030057664625482699_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well sheltered and still good snow cover</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUVtnIN38N8h0e-ua1DDutLESvWvaIQERO6K0-RCSO8S_Y5q32uBXfj8XBkYkq8q0edKJ6RntBX5gl8m-OtBYnsasGWIR-ZYTV5107_zJYbeSofOlDHTyf8dxvN-oasnbWfA4rYVBOp1AF6X7y6t3fLYih695BNYcDwk_auMFK2SEuavOL7Fvs4-zd7w/s2048/421660830_7317951998240258_7933879295810768422_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUVtnIN38N8h0e-ua1DDutLESvWvaIQERO6K0-RCSO8S_Y5q32uBXfj8XBkYkq8q0edKJ6RntBX5gl8m-OtBYnsasGWIR-ZYTV5107_zJYbeSofOlDHTyf8dxvN-oasnbWfA4rYVBOp1AF6X7y6t3fLYih695BNYcDwk_auMFK2SEuavOL7Fvs4-zd7w/w640-h480/421660830_7317951998240258_7933879295810768422_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avalanche debris out of Boomerang Gully</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrVnbiUXEqIXWzWTz3FDzYD86pYjQcFAyQNuz6NEakDE13ULx9sLZhyphenhyphenuRA-x7ooVnxg6KvLjraoPdTupdSEElyBidhvPLFNODpclsREMRv_mE12aK37A-WcTgiajG9CAF16HRhAljjKaBMtofW1GpmZxTqtIlPqIhO75eaNSdpPM_h3OlUE-WjHQh3-A/s2048/421222251_7317955941573197_6230908899562113326_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrVnbiUXEqIXWzWTz3FDzYD86pYjQcFAyQNuz6NEakDE13ULx9sLZhyphenhyphenuRA-x7ooVnxg6KvLjraoPdTupdSEElyBidhvPLFNODpclsREMRv_mE12aK37A-WcTgiajG9CAF16HRhAljjKaBMtofW1GpmZxTqtIlPqIhO75eaNSdpPM_h3OlUE-WjHQh3-A/w480-h640/421222251_7317955941573197_6230908899562113326_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We got some essential axe and crampon skills into the day alongside a lot of avalanche awareness and assessment. We spotted some avalanche debris out of Boomerang Gully. We had hardly a breeze all day. On the descent it went from snowing at 800m to heavy rain y the time we got back to the car. We beat the incoming storm by several hours. Going out in winter requires a lot of planning and assessment. Weather forecasts are pretty accurate these days and you can safely have a good time on the hills by carefully assessing your planned day out.</p><p>Another named storm passed through yesterday. Lets hope form some calmer weather. Especially as I'm back out again tomorrow!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-70453099878311878832024-01-15T16:14:00.004+00:002024-01-15T16:14:52.758+00:004 DAY WINTER SKILLS COURSE IN GLORIOUS CONDITIONS<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn3oj5NO4NcT9VHUyVwbOuWrNuJhfOdcQrBYzFRdhfneVJ-IpJgySf5OHUGzVJGjEeX0Qkiu3jDapcXipXLMpx62fMBnGzjUcYart5kSy-5wpAqwLnsjZT2QCrBLpDNXyOkEi_iCqxg-ylwDJdniDK1yx3D1daHFeRHD1OXvvhwd2jFrDoQ094ok1zXs/s6240/DSCF1489.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3940" data-original-width="6240" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn3oj5NO4NcT9VHUyVwbOuWrNuJhfOdcQrBYzFRdhfneVJ-IpJgySf5OHUGzVJGjEeX0Qkiu3jDapcXipXLMpx62fMBnGzjUcYart5kSy-5wpAqwLnsjZT2QCrBLpDNXyOkEi_iCqxg-ylwDJdniDK1yx3D1daHFeRHD1OXvvhwd2jFrDoQ094ok1zXs/w640-h404/DSCF1489.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braeriach last Friday, 12 January</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> The fine spell of conditions and weather continues here in The Cairngorms. Lovely to have some nice settled conditions last week. Richard, Cat, Kyle & Lynsey had booked onto a 4 day winter course. Richard booked this course for him and his friends way back at the end of July. My first winter booking. I love forward thinking folk! They picked a cracking few days for their course.<div><br /></div><div>THURSDAY 11TH JANUARY<br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDanjNmpQI2n5BrRA__Isl43H5Lr1Z4yzIw_KUio6Lhyphenhyphenx09ubqlEf1NIVBw4c8nMnxJtvSuNdkBDvXqR6kGP_iCPPeJxXypU6xFOXlVkinRZCZTbB-kg9f6uUwKHEsuSb0Uf9z52g9QcmG_ezMJCFtbESPut6GFmaasKtAtdpewUqzHXzZjMNmn9AKHl4/s2048/418443046_7280649595303832_4183424114887424761_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDanjNmpQI2n5BrRA__Isl43H5Lr1Z4yzIw_KUio6Lhyphenhyphenx09ubqlEf1NIVBw4c8nMnxJtvSuNdkBDvXqR6kGP_iCPPeJxXypU6xFOXlVkinRZCZTbB-kg9f6uUwKHEsuSb0Uf9z52g9QcmG_ezMJCFtbESPut6GFmaasKtAtdpewUqzHXzZjMNmn9AKHl4/w640-h480/418443046_7280649595303832_4183424114887424761_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise oer Coire an t-sneachda. Thursday 11 Jan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQiPbkqGzl-36Qxj6FkYQ8vht3ZDeRg6FjMxpt7eVWalsqa_RQAzQZt-3VGzXqwXmdTq8T_wjwOItFfArz1iQc-tcQUV-OXtfxpWx-xsZvdxEbp3AhOqYQcFuruaSB97SfNtec8vaps_TBXnot_CVk0b1thzaeieucHzmFGpjOiju8Z6PE7JiJV9AGxk/s2048/418821832_7280645898637535_2449135566282206776_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQiPbkqGzl-36Qxj6FkYQ8vht3ZDeRg6FjMxpt7eVWalsqa_RQAzQZt-3VGzXqwXmdTq8T_wjwOItFfArz1iQc-tcQUV-OXtfxpWx-xsZvdxEbp3AhOqYQcFuruaSB97SfNtec8vaps_TBXnot_CVk0b1thzaeieucHzmFGpjOiju8Z6PE7JiJV9AGxk/w640-h480/418821832_7280645898637535_2449135566282206776_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team above a temperature inversion, 11 Feb</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4UU50MM_7LAlweZTWniRk_8xi6kpYESGsCfml91uaHkeq9n8BVHfQzXDF4vmeaRoQXzKv4X8Y0z7qe10BKy93vF4wwvs-gu9CTuy7nofHeLzvaypikkBdTKHWi9mwZLbUeLH0SHtRR6o0EbyZ-JmBCRTgJommPd4mwBHDQJRMbkYXJgHKyryAQZLHrs/s2048/419420065_7280650021970456_7398045569620571756_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4UU50MM_7LAlweZTWniRk_8xi6kpYESGsCfml91uaHkeq9n8BVHfQzXDF4vmeaRoQXzKv4X8Y0z7qe10BKy93vF4wwvs-gu9CTuy7nofHeLzvaypikkBdTKHWi9mwZLbUeLH0SHtRR6o0EbyZ-JmBCRTgJommPd4mwBHDQJRMbkYXJgHKyryAQZLHrs/w640-h480/419420065_7280650021970456_7398045569620571756_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon wander across the plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9ZH7n02bfdxIf5aaExPnGQ4lRM_E1do_1jOLTR2XS8Gu21146IlZPfzlwGCx1xYV5PmLWUTdBWtESU6ARJXC696NiLvejuA2zbIjsxjFVjrm0uxHHX9JEjJSjz6rzNfyrVWBktbeHFBfbK1UTyZsfzupWJAHg4d0vWshDtbBFM5IxuURhIWaY94c9F0/s2048/418452259_7280646525304139_704799592224376557_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9ZH7n02bfdxIf5aaExPnGQ4lRM_E1do_1jOLTR2XS8Gu21146IlZPfzlwGCx1xYV5PmLWUTdBWtESU6ARJXC696NiLvejuA2zbIjsxjFVjrm0uxHHX9JEjJSjz6rzNfyrVWBktbeHFBfbK1UTyZsfzupWJAHg4d0vWshDtbBFM5IxuURhIWaY94c9F0/w640-h480/418452259_7280646525304139_704799592224376557_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire an t-sneachda</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9knOgvSOwqnX1ZlDbi_YQsdJNra7IBrLwICBV4C9fwYC79szO69iUaEn9Rav0PtWHqbR9fkQem1doeIz5-iJNh9Wo-8wwU7mL8Ue9O2caFnbeSwP5ZEun3RR2bRMtsVOqb3lA8bXAoKtUmfKbZYT4DSghUTvTIfoolsmW7SSqa6FhZqlVZAQwQF8IVxI/s2048/418438925_7280650665303725_2021413501733562929_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9knOgvSOwqnX1ZlDbi_YQsdJNra7IBrLwICBV4C9fwYC79szO69iUaEn9Rav0PtWHqbR9fkQem1doeIz5-iJNh9Wo-8wwU7mL8Ue9O2caFnbeSwP5ZEun3RR2bRMtsVOqb3lA8bXAoKtUmfKbZYT4DSghUTvTIfoolsmW7SSqa6FhZqlVZAQwQF8IVxI/w640-h480/418438925_7280650665303725_2021413501733562929_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful late afternoon light</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>On day 1 we went through the weather forecast, avalanche forecast, kit check and wandering around several outdoor gear shops in Aviemore trying to get Richard sorted out with winter boots. Finally we set out at 11.20 am. A tad late but with just that bit extra longer daylight hours we packed a lot of stuff into the day. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg361HybRcc9MMEzG8d3weE2AN2UlUBMvk3x9OHiV0gCW81PiygjG83cebFzXzXwzbIMaBg0-zkXShnFQ3mUxde_XY47kubGwRDSIiV3rWwWvPR4mwzVWWva3YGBX5nDu7m1bN25lyBZ8LVKSsBo8RwylTtEDEFZ7dadNv37cJZdKmM02g5WIUk63OhG1E/s5981/DSCF1425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3532" data-original-width="5981" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg361HybRcc9MMEzG8d3weE2AN2UlUBMvk3x9OHiV0gCW81PiygjG83cebFzXzXwzbIMaBg0-zkXShnFQ3mUxde_XY47kubGwRDSIiV3rWwWvPR4mwzVWWva3YGBX5nDu7m1bN25lyBZ8LVKSsBo8RwylTtEDEFZ7dadNv37cJZdKmM02g5WIUk63OhG1E/w640-h378/DSCF1425.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temperature Inversion in the Strath, 11th Jan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPovCkxhRCYh4TtxL-5ND0y9Tl0PLHoBXgOcPEsL0znWUfvmMvrIs93MxSzK-xQY3ZCVkSCcVTHMasRZOjNfCJVV-B_ZcjG1I_8HhBVseh4H3F2ZexBN3Y2IKtALldze_E4LGBbRlUFDqMbQaZZihcf4NX7rNWw3yYq1gMlLzk0NP3GcqBzEfzqViumB4/s6240/DSCF1422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPovCkxhRCYh4TtxL-5ND0y9Tl0PLHoBXgOcPEsL0znWUfvmMvrIs93MxSzK-xQY3ZCVkSCcVTHMasRZOjNfCJVV-B_ZcjG1I_8HhBVseh4H3F2ZexBN3Y2IKtALldze_E4LGBbRlUFDqMbQaZZihcf4NX7rNWw3yYq1gMlLzk0NP3GcqBzEfzqViumB4/w640-h426/DSCF1422.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derry Cairngorm above the inversion, 11th Jan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMF2-cSSgE3Hjv7Lmpo753g3l4jTGEfyzT0zqQlczrc84StnoCM1Xqi-BFYsg0LD0kw-7JFZt7-2a6iyi1JAvJO_haxQzZMtfN8tHGqoTmIgWCHpeIpnb-_IxHRTiIf2Fus9bQMh0AFq38Gj63u5HzjK2EISw3e-myQrmj8xXtz5K2-apunY9qI8T8CY/s6010/DSCF1443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4007" data-original-width="6010" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMF2-cSSgE3Hjv7Lmpo753g3l4jTGEfyzT0zqQlczrc84StnoCM1Xqi-BFYsg0LD0kw-7JFZt7-2a6iyi1JAvJO_haxQzZMtfN8tHGqoTmIgWCHpeIpnb-_IxHRTiIf2Fus9bQMh0AFq38Gj63u5HzjK2EISw3e-myQrmj8xXtz5K2-apunY9qI8T8CY/w640-h426/DSCF1443.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiacaill Coire an t sneachda</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPg5TtqoQ7ajS4TwzdzL-keYdNg-NC_QnemrJIo0ZLRuBFkPCPrJiNc7ufiH9-TYJGgXK7_e0rb6AAmp0PETZPtc8fXIIs8ms_DnbFqFY-oYVWSzl_AKvqTNsJTUvdDjQcsFkVWoKeYW9BzZb2YDa_V2i5JWehMcvcTeScscpqkMYpBWWFWiqA01L24E/s6256/DSCF1431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3522" data-original-width="6256" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPg5TtqoQ7ajS4TwzdzL-keYdNg-NC_QnemrJIo0ZLRuBFkPCPrJiNc7ufiH9-TYJGgXK7_e0rb6AAmp0PETZPtc8fXIIs8ms_DnbFqFY-oYVWSzl_AKvqTNsJTUvdDjQcsFkVWoKeYW9BzZb2YDa_V2i5JWehMcvcTeScscpqkMYpBWWFWiqA01L24E/w640-h360/DSCF1431.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful light on Pygmy Ridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGy1bsu86x8U5aKqlqODvU_bnTgX5ZaebiBLoG0JVSeog9Cm4FcugeTzhWzVxqMc9i723CxgDI3rBvGFh8E4J9pD-tcfI4WT5nMMMBDl81YBZExEt1XtoizlPSNG7XSWY-uPsnVq2FsHAwUHicmfcpCav5AnNYjU_NvZyFJPKJbm1-m7EnGT-sJ-cx80/s6011/DSCF1456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3658" data-original-width="6011" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGy1bsu86x8U5aKqlqODvU_bnTgX5ZaebiBLoG0JVSeog9Cm4FcugeTzhWzVxqMc9i723CxgDI3rBvGFh8E4J9pD-tcfI4WT5nMMMBDl81YBZExEt1XtoizlPSNG7XSWY-uPsnVq2FsHAwUHicmfcpCav5AnNYjU_NvZyFJPKJbm1-m7EnGT-sJ-cx80/w640-h390/DSCF1456.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sundown behind the Fiacaill</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ytBkwTIOHabGfbt3rITcITPIj_kCZuvZZ505FOeWscNeMUvkWn4rwlL7w0hnPtqLeiqTsehf7g7DC6BcMKP7onIDMZNFcUJSTW3fKMwHaRNrq7YTpzlE2ZvBaJ9v8PG_lvnrSJ9NnDbAFhi-svNYz7-EAFo_rn7t969BVefG3K7d5HpZ2PMKMegUho8/s5903/DSCF1469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3579" data-original-width="5903" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ytBkwTIOHabGfbt3rITcITPIj_kCZuvZZ505FOeWscNeMUvkWn4rwlL7w0hnPtqLeiqTsehf7g7DC6BcMKP7onIDMZNFcUJSTW3fKMwHaRNrq7YTpzlE2ZvBaJ9v8PG_lvnrSJ9NnDbAFhi-svNYz7-EAFo_rn7t969BVefG3K7d5HpZ2PMKMegUho8/w640-h388/DSCF1469.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending 1141m at dusk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>A fabulous weather day on our first day. Cloud sitting in Strathspey and Aviemore all day whilst we basked in sunshine. </div><div><br /></div><div>FRIDAY 12TH JANUARY</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Day 2 and another cracking blue skies day above yet another temperature inversion. Poor old Aviemore stuck in the clag and fog again! We made the most of the fabulous weather and snow conditions. A day over Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZCQoKps-XS07nopYN9CYveX_MsfrA_rCmBYi_GuzMSKn-ckfBAWp3StG4ZsgeIgWImxyPdg2McmXEFkcPIPTqRLiW1evbbC6f3WoQ87gaXfn6tIbMa5bq3xWe0csIIYoHKRIcX1Anv8jPM2YSjCB56dg7xea9YuCf9iDpvG4fVW-6_6CpwBXhOuPRnQ/s2048/419420216_7284507378251387_6302254452957540269_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZCQoKps-XS07nopYN9CYveX_MsfrA_rCmBYi_GuzMSKn-ckfBAWp3StG4ZsgeIgWImxyPdg2McmXEFkcPIPTqRLiW1evbbC6f3WoQ87gaXfn6tIbMa5bq3xWe0csIIYoHKRIcX1Anv8jPM2YSjCB56dg7xea9YuCf9iDpvG4fVW-6_6CpwBXhOuPRnQ/w640-h480/419420216_7284507378251387_6302254452957540269_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch on Macdui with fabulous views</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5H0KqwhnWGUyICHZuwaPHp7-fvrS2j0sU6skID8Vf6jAPK5bGlMt-cTrX23qezBNKGJc7LHibHZb0yECWdqPs28YMafts6XthXnYqfVOiInQbXG56iw5OjUvF9LSmTAKzG0D3NEHy8WEjAHE5njhO2xZEe2zHJT1tyr4VAoFq15fzJ3YExEpq76_CwTQ/s6319/DSCF1502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3774" data-original-width="6319" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5H0KqwhnWGUyICHZuwaPHp7-fvrS2j0sU6skID8Vf6jAPK5bGlMt-cTrX23qezBNKGJc7LHibHZb0yECWdqPs28YMafts6XthXnYqfVOiInQbXG56iw5OjUvF9LSmTAKzG0D3NEHy8WEjAHE5njhO2xZEe2zHJT1tyr4VAoFq15fzJ3YExEpq76_CwTQ/w640-h382/DSCF1502.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn Toul, Sgor an Lochain Uaine. Braeriach from ben Macdui</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfa8R_gpeWQdtp726dnwOvAos9uBjOSQA9HL33frnRQaGdjPaYiS1srjAB6fObxE1x3dt1wMr85WRbAHFmi5j1h1f5gfFHxsLQB7qgr7emnh6nP6cRIYnoQMuFER0G-gJ3KqBZIXhb3CJs6RHQ_f_4StMgWTqXRQKYU15qeOVfOj7-zwbu2LBlHdwiVQ/s6240/DSCF1489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3940" data-original-width="6240" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfa8R_gpeWQdtp726dnwOvAos9uBjOSQA9HL33frnRQaGdjPaYiS1srjAB6fObxE1x3dt1wMr85WRbAHFmi5j1h1f5gfFHxsLQB7qgr7emnh6nP6cRIYnoQMuFER0G-gJ3KqBZIXhb3CJs6RHQ_f_4StMgWTqXRQKYU15qeOVfOj7-zwbu2LBlHdwiVQ/w640-h404/DSCF1489.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ski Tourers out</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bpyvQJO0E0iy9hQ7NtihUSyS1JGb7hu9GOVtRqHOoYgl4XHcOxY4zEFzzDXdsH9dzFi4p1t5M69phkQtUrasJXcyTo5wvb3XlumitBts1f-yx0I2DrLyBlm4qsga7-GhiMFZIALDoT8kkjPySlZmEPPG-6vQx_Qb_nJNtMW7hCp0O2iwpi-DMmm2geE/s6240/DSCF1483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bpyvQJO0E0iy9hQ7NtihUSyS1JGb7hu9GOVtRqHOoYgl4XHcOxY4zEFzzDXdsH9dzFi4p1t5M69phkQtUrasJXcyTo5wvb3XlumitBts1f-yx0I2DrLyBlm4qsga7-GhiMFZIALDoT8kkjPySlZmEPPG-6vQx_Qb_nJNtMW7hCp0O2iwpi-DMmm2geE/w640-h426/DSCF1483.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Temperature Inversion, Meall a' Bhuachaille above the clouds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I absolutely love temperature inversions. We get them in the Cairngorms on a regular basis. After summiting Ben Macdui we made our way back across the plateau via the finest viewpoint in the Cairngorms.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXjk42CMiZ3agK2yBtO66dgikCTIUs8A59ZzL3e_d1CrUt6CBat9pkBS3LhE4RFv1l21zgfgjnEYsNOkXRRb-RIrR-n-YoFxobdHCvsiU9HC1FKmo46soQcQcaG5px3qi15Ajb9qkPetRu3hcwFCkuDwprZgY612HC0ImL2F-G-YZ3fJsBLlqfXIHhN4/s2048/419419207_7284505201584938_4971492682637109876_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXjk42CMiZ3agK2yBtO66dgikCTIUs8A59ZzL3e_d1CrUt6CBat9pkBS3LhE4RFv1l21zgfgjnEYsNOkXRRb-RIrR-n-YoFxobdHCvsiU9HC1FKmo46soQcQcaG5px3qi15Ajb9qkPetRu3hcwFCkuDwprZgY612HC0ImL2F-G-YZ3fJsBLlqfXIHhN4/w640-h480/419419207_7284505201584938_4971492682637109876_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team on the summit of Ben Macdui</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_zQFzPBmYn-Mf_TG2P4Nu7PL39cEj7LAd-cQMweyt68bRF6ewq0Thsz3gq1BdPnZz4kXlz3J2YMA33RpcQICWO8IHrEGerJ19Cl1tNy3uXo9bGZqQ4LpNKSDXB7mToZqVm2T1cJYUZKY0TZtrBIo0AenGB54EdCI6H6k6mAvVLbPByuGQKuY-fRlPtc/s2048/419470741_7284507638251361_3396686703821082039_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_zQFzPBmYn-Mf_TG2P4Nu7PL39cEj7LAd-cQMweyt68bRF6ewq0Thsz3gq1BdPnZz4kXlz3J2YMA33RpcQICWO8IHrEGerJ19Cl1tNy3uXo9bGZqQ4LpNKSDXB7mToZqVm2T1cJYUZKY0TZtrBIo0AenGB54EdCI6H6k6mAvVLbPByuGQKuY-fRlPtc/w640-h480/419470741_7284507638251361_3396686703821082039_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serene snowscape</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTXMp06tE0Q18eUDyn6sAB0SraY2J6OD595nD1ZGjEiFHjW784EPMYENRwUUAGUoTqo07bnPvMHnqBaoTlEb9dH-knpNCSacjfZzUCTs5s76q9-5kff6RnDiZFCPkVN9yo7kdC-MqZAyfl6RTE2bTzA2tWaRThwTOcVCA9ZbhSGe3v7PYSOvwi8h0ZzU/s5991/DSCF1423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3427" data-original-width="5991" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTXMp06tE0Q18eUDyn6sAB0SraY2J6OD595nD1ZGjEiFHjW784EPMYENRwUUAGUoTqo07bnPvMHnqBaoTlEb9dH-knpNCSacjfZzUCTs5s76q9-5kff6RnDiZFCPkVN9yo7kdC-MqZAyfl6RTE2bTzA2tWaRThwTOcVCA9ZbhSGe3v7PYSOvwi8h0ZzU/w640-h366/DSCF1423.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above the clouds again</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypSrT4lbecBdUBruu9rLXVes_2XwkvLId0eod527esXdmYJZHs9lG_KwZ5UJVx4Zkjj1KwE75nNkzWjkfO_i_nScCeXcYMZ5-_PMIYye9Wfe26yZYwbNI5Er6ALOIOwMsjEpqYgxtpnqUKez-YPfWLJ6EUr5y_v9LxF2luNF6RsHquZqhiXozVsK2cVM/s2048/419431306_7284505831584875_8262577735513449593_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypSrT4lbecBdUBruu9rLXVes_2XwkvLId0eod527esXdmYJZHs9lG_KwZ5UJVx4Zkjj1KwE75nNkzWjkfO_i_nScCeXcYMZ5-_PMIYye9Wfe26yZYwbNI5Er6ALOIOwMsjEpqYgxtpnqUKez-YPfWLJ6EUr5y_v9LxF2luNF6RsHquZqhiXozVsK2cVM/w640-h480/419431306_7284505831584875_8262577735513449593_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad backdrop!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgehq1B8TOtifEbFOLu9bEx3B17g5lxD2x4ihHebPq7PSnIWqx8FavWaE4dKJKuViOmlh_ri_Vnoi9XvQ6_w-sxxlcKpVs-wderrsVRGM4O93u3MacsopuCAFPuqAqmu_keEYstk850axGPRkHfLI48hQUXCFPysVHl8i-j6w_qkel6qBWlAhcT2NcFg/s6240/DSCF1513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgehq1B8TOtifEbFOLu9bEx3B17g5lxD2x4ihHebPq7PSnIWqx8FavWaE4dKJKuViOmlh_ri_Vnoi9XvQ6_w-sxxlcKpVs-wderrsVRGM4O93u3MacsopuCAFPuqAqmu_keEYstk850axGPRkHfLI48hQUXCFPysVHl8i-j6w_qkel6qBWlAhcT2NcFg/w640-h426/DSCF1513.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nobody at the finest viewpoint</td></tr></tbody></table>By the time we got up Cairn Gorm the sun was heading slowly down again. Some fabulous light as we reached the carpark and a another top day out.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnHfQeotvxatX67BmbBFgmSL6Xj27fFFX5Lf1vc703XWFP1udLGHH9wjOW93u-YkZE36mWzVWAVz4L-bSLQu_QzlXdrvL_e_dEuCpmkuqyHFrjiFeKGjwW7lapUr_3kNomDBITaPyvXDVWui6dMKX1Gx1B8TfpNQIJmQS_OmZP7glGTyaYJ8YYNglREU/s6240/DSCF1531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3603" data-original-width="6240" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnHfQeotvxatX67BmbBFgmSL6Xj27fFFX5Lf1vc703XWFP1udLGHH9wjOW93u-YkZE36mWzVWAVz4L-bSLQu_QzlXdrvL_e_dEuCpmkuqyHFrjiFeKGjwW7lapUr_3kNomDBITaPyvXDVWui6dMKX1Gx1B8TfpNQIJmQS_OmZP7glGTyaYJ8YYNglREU/w640-h370/DSCF1531.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn Gorm summit at 3.15pm</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKfPLC0-8p_bCWLpuNwbi-UZFNXOih_pyO_4EBHWLd1R448bTcIMHlEKNx6eSwu_93diw6X6BKIAjckVTr5N7wEDGDERYC7t6TthyphenhyphenKDorlFg4-NVoBtJ75rZVAITgAoaEi3zEdBvXUR7vgyr2BVlAWB4AZO97LCJH0gH4nmKrRH1d7D09onJzFoilT5Q/s2048/419425290_7284508148251310_1159503649517867603_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKfPLC0-8p_bCWLpuNwbi-UZFNXOih_pyO_4EBHWLd1R448bTcIMHlEKNx6eSwu_93diw6X6BKIAjckVTr5N7wEDGDERYC7t6TthyphenhyphenKDorlFg4-NVoBtJ75rZVAITgAoaEi3zEdBvXUR7vgyr2BVlAWB4AZO97LCJH0gH4nmKrRH1d7D09onJzFoilT5Q/w640-h480/419425290_7284508148251310_1159503649517867603_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team on their second Munro</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GMEtdzXjy-yO9xu_wpbsepix5JzwMTRk8Lc_6rGBCk5ZnVX-I-_VljDFBzomodxbnNUxVeawS6SckDNyLONGvifaGGrhH3WmbqC5pWRb8VGcp2iT5VjgO6t31uhLf_hYD9MN7uy-R1hyk-EE9SgetO10nY0_7itPAx3AY5oFu5OBOrgE6Fr7c3c-Lss/s6240/DSCF1541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GMEtdzXjy-yO9xu_wpbsepix5JzwMTRk8Lc_6rGBCk5ZnVX-I-_VljDFBzomodxbnNUxVeawS6SckDNyLONGvifaGGrhH3WmbqC5pWRb8VGcp2iT5VjgO6t31uhLf_hYD9MN7uy-R1hyk-EE9SgetO10nY0_7itPAx3AY5oFu5OBOrgE6Fr7c3c-Lss/w640-h426/DSCF1541.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loch Morlich</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGbS43bggRyAwW6y3GuaCMpp-8v_-rzjgT6OeuCh1qoY2T-6eB9VbkasIYDHGxc46icHxP3LCdoDEmXBCu7qQkxOz64-SP-ozOTxU1tidWeCzxD0orvmYkY0ZsGZIi8D7vuECsvdbAOkS5wMc7HZx9kRzFx-wVR4aV9hzMrn8y6EE1_zZ03IoqovDueg/s6240/DSCF1538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3809" data-original-width="6240" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGbS43bggRyAwW6y3GuaCMpp-8v_-rzjgT6OeuCh1qoY2T-6eB9VbkasIYDHGxc46icHxP3LCdoDEmXBCu7qQkxOz64-SP-ozOTxU1tidWeCzxD0orvmYkY0ZsGZIi8D7vuECsvdbAOkS5wMc7HZx9kRzFx-wVR4aV9hzMrn8y6EE1_zZ03IoqovDueg/w640-h390/DSCF1538.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shame about the windfarm spoiling this one!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6NsTNMt22axD4yLZATl4RrF8l3itHSE9bNkNq74hlczl4PAvzKSuODj5VHmHjrFUanCgiDkW_AYBc_4I-xi4XJsQYUJZbAl8kKgzwkvN5EnpyyBIePGpCxds73uzaAdtjM2gqp7V9Ir6TD3vQ9xQ0PLJIkc3BWEcGi6kvAlRgsTGkfJGyNAz31Jc3B8/s6240/DSCF1544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3880" data-original-width="6240" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6NsTNMt22axD4yLZATl4RrF8l3itHSE9bNkNq74hlczl4PAvzKSuODj5VHmHjrFUanCgiDkW_AYBc_4I-xi4XJsQYUJZbAl8kKgzwkvN5EnpyyBIePGpCxds73uzaAdtjM2gqp7V9Ir6TD3vQ9xQ0PLJIkc3BWEcGi6kvAlRgsTGkfJGyNAz31Jc3B8/w640-h398/DSCF1544.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another terrific end to the day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>SATURDAY 13 JANUARY</div><div><br /></div><div>A change in the weather. Cloud! It was still a beautiful day. Light winds and good visibility in th emorning. Many of the lowe trails are iced up, crampons or no crampons? It's all part of the decision making process on a typical day out in winter. Today the guys wanted to concentrate on movement skills with axe and cramponns again. The snow was perfect, not too icy but definitely crampons on.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsDHoAJVqV6RJb7iWX33AQAKgM-pxPyhJ-faCLigMyWiM1l8DdQEaEd5AvV2l7pKL3dTIJaSA5AID-m4dS7ZawJjSJ8j628TDrh32UcpUHrbn6uwpUmKSwahNOvfR0VYntm1CEcKrGIqfHWuhaMPGoptiCWRj-566ifZBDUcLUUNENHNvGVWhNE3ZXA8/s2048/418457947_7287973757904749_7289178913536668896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsDHoAJVqV6RJb7iWX33AQAKgM-pxPyhJ-faCLigMyWiM1l8DdQEaEd5AvV2l7pKL3dTIJaSA5AID-m4dS7ZawJjSJ8j628TDrh32UcpUHrbn6uwpUmKSwahNOvfR0VYntm1CEcKrGIqfHWuhaMPGoptiCWRj-566ifZBDUcLUUNENHNvGVWhNE3ZXA8/w640-h480/418457947_7287973757904749_7289178913536668896_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire an Lochain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQAvbCh8jC5jS6c9peyquNtxSV9V9cbBaPSaaXWixnxFtx4yBayvvRQz4wgptm2lGHsEjasBRFK9gkwy73LcgUGoU-x7mGGlw_815CyXpOEHwWa_v_VwuUeedxOHFZVoANeTG8DuR1sBo5j6J1WxNxc_CNysr5xH-pYvdhLOKAq47zaVlev9ENNXLbt4/s2048/419443654_7287974187904706_8024480894770068757_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQAvbCh8jC5jS6c9peyquNtxSV9V9cbBaPSaaXWixnxFtx4yBayvvRQz4wgptm2lGHsEjasBRFK9gkwy73LcgUGoU-x7mGGlw_815CyXpOEHwWa_v_VwuUeedxOHFZVoANeTG8DuR1sBo5j6J1WxNxc_CNysr5xH-pYvdhLOKAq47zaVlev9ENNXLbt4/w640-h480/419443654_7287974187904706_8024480894770068757_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twin Burns</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DmwBjBF8Gtr34izMGciIVlQdrgsjphXmnZ-QFrqwmFnGLj7hLccsi1IbX2skbQ4e4ZOxFJl0RcQImJvvlV-GBLqy0l6zZbr5T4gaaaeTfcdT7eXGDV3Kh3_OyrNid3vDRvbvXaCp7eUsjWh-pD0m2AlnW-HUI4BRjGB84iSm-aH54PgngO0PXwhmnC4/s2048/419460891_7287973904571401_6558721483382257070_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DmwBjBF8Gtr34izMGciIVlQdrgsjphXmnZ-QFrqwmFnGLj7hLccsi1IbX2skbQ4e4ZOxFJl0RcQImJvvlV-GBLqy0l6zZbr5T4gaaaeTfcdT7eXGDV3Kh3_OyrNid3vDRvbvXaCp7eUsjWh-pD0m2AlnW-HUI4BRjGB84iSm-aH54PgngO0PXwhmnC4/w640-h480/419460891_7287973904571401_6558721483382257070_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending techniques</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTAwkj31m2HC-Yo7O6D7UcsjbQVBH8vbyGBYMh6SFWNLh2Zjf1J1rTgJhbg6KizmNtqWEESLykHwVWq-820N0__6Eot-3tBmH2UBxCHZqx8nzxjteWVGCcJTWZuRxwnO4JScDBRJT1aYYL-CB1vV1jlDXA0a0ksGLAg0WaFSBLuknrhpahvEXLGanu-Q/s2048/419463059_7287973587904766_1799992614332132882_n%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTAwkj31m2HC-Yo7O6D7UcsjbQVBH8vbyGBYMh6SFWNLh2Zjf1J1rTgJhbg6KizmNtqWEESLykHwVWq-820N0__6Eot-3tBmH2UBxCHZqx8nzxjteWVGCcJTWZuRxwnO4JScDBRJT1aYYL-CB1vV1jlDXA0a0ksGLAg0WaFSBLuknrhpahvEXLGanu-Q/w640-h480/419463059_7287973587904766_1799992614332132882_n%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LxAkyxO6vYx2FXIjEnJt1W5BrDmsqU9zwsQd_v5Xuehk313Af3IQeSWXwsueBqD6ZlkEJFCS7wT8esHG8UJZ4gbA-1X4mgak0xolz78eCF41JY7Y4RL7Dhxa14Acvrz8ox3uUurpw8Lgr67vzGmpfYv9JFp2LfCF1rZPYc36oJcokhd4irpNNbZHswQ/s2048/419423544_7287974307904694_7658864813906507301_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LxAkyxO6vYx2FXIjEnJt1W5BrDmsqU9zwsQd_v5Xuehk313Af3IQeSWXwsueBqD6ZlkEJFCS7wT8esHG8UJZ4gbA-1X4mgak0xolz78eCF41JY7Y4RL7Dhxa14Acvrz8ox3uUurpw8Lgr67vzGmpfYv9JFp2LfCF1rZPYc36oJcokhd4irpNNbZHswQ/w640-h480/419423544_7287974307904694_7658864813906507301_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up, down and across slopes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>In the afternoon we headed onto the plateau and into the cloud. A great opportunity for some more essential map and compass navigation as the visibility deteriorated. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGU7i9G-oRZK9Uhz4aVT6v2nXqAD6c2_oQAtDrDKcYthhePjfxtc5Mf90v9A0OOQYtxjCluclc1TN6e39bb9O2oyUDLa7IOVb-BFYIsQ-eADdLrTaEPnF96cavZF3xyOQ1-vE3xcSkLeeTgjtAayYXlnzQq317zsolQYfh73vAYrT5h95oSB8EtjefNCo/s2048/419427278_7287975594571232_6667862080558565549_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGU7i9G-oRZK9Uhz4aVT6v2nXqAD6c2_oQAtDrDKcYthhePjfxtc5Mf90v9A0OOQYtxjCluclc1TN6e39bb9O2oyUDLa7IOVb-BFYIsQ-eADdLrTaEPnF96cavZF3xyOQ1-vE3xcSkLeeTgjtAayYXlnzQq317zsolQYfh73vAYrT5h95oSB8EtjefNCo/w640-h480/419427278_7287975594571232_6667862080558565549_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating in poor visibility</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYtH2NcBQENMxpcsMUJKZ1M-CPzHl8iuHfJyefY1Hp7wCll19QPXVZ9irq0kiCQdItrf3pI01nLdup8RRTZClVfM9h9SLnm6Cn5r38K6p6WDCGwhAqre-qsy5IKS3Y_fYLZ10E-VUiyggGsVKOmwxvp9mdR7Xd0_CkpgHDw4J5jqPeL2tBBphef8sJwU/s2048/419459799_7287975714571220_6045112222969693166_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYtH2NcBQENMxpcsMUJKZ1M-CPzHl8iuHfJyefY1Hp7wCll19QPXVZ9irq0kiCQdItrf3pI01nLdup8RRTZClVfM9h9SLnm6Cn5r38K6p6WDCGwhAqre-qsy5IKS3Y_fYLZ10E-VUiyggGsVKOmwxvp9mdR7Xd0_CkpgHDw4J5jqPeL2tBBphef8sJwU/w640-h480/419459799_7287975714571220_6045112222969693166_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Axe arresting on the way down</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6gOTVrM7J09fFC-n0Ysf0PhKcPRY7SG1bo6cVMbM88tCnihdKLghVHQgobcGkpmymjxn8L9tIOKzZql7olJkwL332XPJAg_qtyxpDSdgdaSo_NBkssOPjPb7ef1uTs2uUr0zzGPZ4vawyraQAn_0NEqkxZIPu3HXInavnZ_N6SkDklnfNojbx5EjhQ8/s2048/419457871_7287975821237876_575435516995817385_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6gOTVrM7J09fFC-n0Ysf0PhKcPRY7SG1bo6cVMbM88tCnihdKLghVHQgobcGkpmymjxn8L9tIOKzZql7olJkwL332XPJAg_qtyxpDSdgdaSo_NBkssOPjPb7ef1uTs2uUr0zzGPZ4vawyraQAn_0NEqkxZIPu3HXInavnZ_N6SkDklnfNojbx5EjhQ8/w640-h480/419457871_7287975821237876_575435516995817385_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Axe arresting</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>We got some ice axe arresting in on our way back. In a lovely quiet area. Another top day.</div><div><br /></div><div>SUNDAY 13TH JANUARY</div><div><br /></div><div>After 3 big days out the team were feeling it a bit in the legs. So they fancied a much easier day. We headed to the friendly Cobbs cafe in Glenmore and looked through the Avalanche reports in detail as well as the BAA app. Then a quick recap on navigation, looking at various map scales and taking bearings. Then it was out to Ryvoan Bothy, at 400m the high point today! There was about 20 folk in the bothy! The most I have ever seen!</div><div><br /></div><div> It was snowing again to Aviemore level and colder. This fab winter looks set to continue. This wee the temperature up on the tops are plummeting to minus double digits and down in Aviemore it will not go above freezing until Friday. Brilliant.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTTrAiKId-Xv0eyfeYPDEKoiZQB79ua2mCm8gHeQH7A9sEB4xmq2MCUm_c7QUXF2WC0DH8Bd7VcR7L28y_ONsNaKxV0C-_b-rnGENv6et2R2r8aNpX-ZV7Ow4nOXUs4HceQCAwhnQ3837wosOyjtc6j9RaqBF7zXgn7SDa9sk4zMTjByAZtA7RskiFQE/s2048/419582850_7291535417548583_2849895209049967586_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTTrAiKId-Xv0eyfeYPDEKoiZQB79ua2mCm8gHeQH7A9sEB4xmq2MCUm_c7QUXF2WC0DH8Bd7VcR7L28y_ONsNaKxV0C-_b-rnGENv6et2R2r8aNpX-ZV7Ow4nOXUs4HceQCAwhnQ3837wosOyjtc6j9RaqBF7zXgn7SDa9sk4zMTjByAZtA7RskiFQE/w640-h480/419582850_7291535417548583_2849895209049967586_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A frozen Lochain Uaine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a392rdWlts8pcMmj5dDGrEtwGGKH9D9YY1tLq6dlwb2dyxUa2e71ILqKrqUtil849Td3nC8s7cCzRvAL0b5lyt0nkvfhD-JdoNFl5WaG-8NF33G6N3gqDkX1KixTR8x3RLrzld3uFRHMarqGHG8lezsLP18JKz2VM-dVNf0hBp2SsZ3f2itPOCebJBo/s2048/419966760_7291534634215328_1120176841838291665_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a392rdWlts8pcMmj5dDGrEtwGGKH9D9YY1tLq6dlwb2dyxUa2e71ILqKrqUtil849Td3nC8s7cCzRvAL0b5lyt0nkvfhD-JdoNFl5WaG-8NF33G6N3gqDkX1KixTR8x3RLrzld3uFRHMarqGHG8lezsLP18JKz2VM-dVNf0hBp2SsZ3f2itPOCebJBo/w640-h480/419966760_7291534634215328_1120176841838291665_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow showers on our way to Ryvoan Bothy</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to the group. Some great days om the hill in full winter conditions. A top effort and all skilled up for their next adventures.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-2154384761565500972024-01-10T15:01:00.000+00:002024-01-10T15:01:33.512+00:00BRILLIANT START TO 2024<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VKMbGDtjFdtLaesbzApBWhaBKUSQ3Sw8bn3vBqfrwk6TPwYEH1InYh1Q2qWCmct6MRPRFxcy0eMFXK1YC0b2U_Gu_kFn-Osc_YQnCeksfpSpvdRWmkzHGs5IBX46aJvBJ0n2j65ZWmzQ_cJFKoIL6Rca1kQDJ8x26dyUB50TFu51PfY4I6thddXMrbk/s2048/418299481_7273318309370294_632569042316418552_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VKMbGDtjFdtLaesbzApBWhaBKUSQ3Sw8bn3vBqfrwk6TPwYEH1InYh1Q2qWCmct6MRPRFxcy0eMFXK1YC0b2U_Gu_kFn-Osc_YQnCeksfpSpvdRWmkzHGs5IBX46aJvBJ0n2j65ZWmzQ_cJFKoIL6Rca1kQDJ8x26dyUB50TFu51PfY4I6thddXMrbk/w640-h480/418299481_7273318309370294_632569042316418552_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sgor Gaoithe, 9th January</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> It has been a brilliant start to 2024 with wonderful snow conditions here in the Cairngorms. The Eastern Highlands has had the best of the snow so far this season. There was a small, temporarily blip in the temperatures, going above freezing but in the last week of more we have enjoyed some wonderful snow and weather. This is coinciding with one of my busiest winter seasons ever. I have only a few <a href="https://www.tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk/winter-courses-scotland.html" target="_blank">remaining dates still available in January and February</a>. Enquire if you are flexible with midweek dates. You may be lucky. After all I do want the odd day off! <p></p><p>Here's a quick rundown of courses and folk I've been taking out from the last week.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOt0qxpmVisRRBBR6m4FKnh6u6Pj88P5pb26f_SqlDAUMPJQPawrsMfednVjHIm27gsntK87nXH3CDmFTRlDW7ZmKGYylN4xHqWdNMGuX6GDzz4qAdd-wqzDJFBDsd-rPoOkruJNNh6CDr6kkXg5b99yH11H1dF6bVns2FERWY1610onJPnXFoKd6tVNQ/s2048/415671850_7251870498181742_5173104594619275643_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOt0qxpmVisRRBBR6m4FKnh6u6Pj88P5pb26f_SqlDAUMPJQPawrsMfednVjHIm27gsntK87nXH3CDmFTRlDW7ZmKGYylN4xHqWdNMGuX6GDzz4qAdd-wqzDJFBDsd-rPoOkruJNNh6CDr6kkXg5b99yH11H1dF6bVns2FERWY1610onJPnXFoKd6tVNQ/w640-h480/415671850_7251870498181742_5173104594619275643_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toby & Mardi navigating in tricky weather, 3rd Jan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcf_oLsPlx70oIhITT7ucAep9PMBjxqlwF0c9AHjyKGQAKJfOQaeVBxcrvRC5VdTS5gt0J7zK1z4CzelPc7Ot_-mNrAFLlqm8oHBlVVf4frK2ByeAZSFG3vaKSys3qbeRPhBQdK3CShRwMr-9X8PLAkR5ljY2MHyDWCK5PVvi7ijf8YMSGtDvVqhi2QuA/s2048/415605780_7251868174848641_6761369952884973610_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcf_oLsPlx70oIhITT7ucAep9PMBjxqlwF0c9AHjyKGQAKJfOQaeVBxcrvRC5VdTS5gt0J7zK1z4CzelPc7Ot_-mNrAFLlqm8oHBlVVf4frK2ByeAZSFG3vaKSys3qbeRPhBQdK3CShRwMr-9X8PLAkR5ljY2MHyDWCK5PVvi7ijf8YMSGtDvVqhi2QuA/w480-h640/415605780_7251868174848641_6761369952884973610_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiacaill fun</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Toby & Mardi were on a 1 day winter hillwalking course on 3rd January. Some great snow conditions and poor visibility on the plateau.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgwC4Wj2mGs4VfK4xlfSVkEUfe9qh0R5uY_YaRviH7i6EKT-Rf_abGD1AJGSY08upWK5LKyCD9o3GriFeonXu4aCw1Pb4Fmf3lwnMFGDQCBf2GtXPtle3qqSfUFpePwDxtvWivA9DfVfa5v_NbFYNYfE6IoNh5CaFRh411Qv1Bw_7AKqktOPBOzxA70s/s2048/415681482_7255469731155152_3465866170264366815_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgwC4Wj2mGs4VfK4xlfSVkEUfe9qh0R5uY_YaRviH7i6EKT-Rf_abGD1AJGSY08upWK5LKyCD9o3GriFeonXu4aCw1Pb4Fmf3lwnMFGDQCBf2GtXPtle3qqSfUFpePwDxtvWivA9DfVfa5v_NbFYNYfE6IoNh5CaFRh411Qv1Bw_7AKqktOPBOzxA70s/w640-h480/415681482_7255469731155152_3465866170264366815_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare Photography, 4th Jan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnDAVcyje8d6ZSOGcrl7tHY5zJTTIq5wHtrnyRjTsJAGAlDaWFb9bIV0B9rLuQP2YdLm2jbsf1QO3Sr8fUiRC1h7WYJB_Xjo7rjURDO2GtHuYyI35z_D69VUZ7OrO-vJVi6bYJOBtaP3-ZjGofPib4ipBZodmi98LVs43kXbJuP6gh4Ca69LlcMa9m5Y/s2048/416855816_7255469991155126_5891113405081534983_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnDAVcyje8d6ZSOGcrl7tHY5zJTTIq5wHtrnyRjTsJAGAlDaWFb9bIV0B9rLuQP2YdLm2jbsf1QO3Sr8fUiRC1h7WYJB_Xjo7rjURDO2GtHuYyI35z_D69VUZ7OrO-vJVi6bYJOBtaP3-ZjGofPib4ipBZodmi98LVs43kXbJuP6gh4Ca69LlcMa9m5Y/w640-h480/416855816_7255469991155126_5891113405081534983_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft snow, breezy and sleety</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopfNkTr8i5jGm02Wowhz0rC3BpCIgj2-NrwDoNMrfUpwlfTbVjPssfi4i56MtTN5ylhX37PPvtRUlS5RDE2duHOLO0SeaKOu83EZtaZv-fffA6pDnSuLj6sO2w7irhFsA3JQuFpC_CFjUeyQnBlmbjexy1yLi-D-2DcY1VfkkyPrlRtROiIO9PY8rYxM/s2048/416899589_7255470247821767_5274913319068233001_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="2048" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopfNkTr8i5jGm02Wowhz0rC3BpCIgj2-NrwDoNMrfUpwlfTbVjPssfi4i56MtTN5ylhX37PPvtRUlS5RDE2duHOLO0SeaKOu83EZtaZv-fffA6pDnSuLj6sO2w7irhFsA3JQuFpC_CFjUeyQnBlmbjexy1yLi-D-2DcY1VfkkyPrlRtROiIO9PY8rYxM/w640-h372/416899589_7255470247821767_5274913319068233001_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright spells over the Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>On 4th January I was guiding Alison & Mike for two days of<a href="https://www.garyhphotography.com/" target="_blank"> Mountain Hare Photography. </a>With a forecast of strong winds up high we went to the lower Monadhliath for our first day. There was a rise in temperature but it was tricky conditions with sleet, wind and poor visibility. Feeling cold but we persevered and had a fine hour with one lovely hare. Then his friend ran right past us and spooked our friend!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FntH8tc2282tcLnZAD6VN_mE_0P4IEsYVHWXGL-2wSf8XOkqdKh5tJfgNNwjR3Ga3fqMC5m20g89YySn_PEPGVsYqjbcrxncEWuHrz4YVoTRjGO7HgBXrIQxLi_sRV0aSpw1ERc8Q3xmtkEH52MW4EwRP7aVWMgSuB-P05Xt0ztWdIy2xsoo-y04uEo/s2048/416831749_7259546724080786_3616765492267178982_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FntH8tc2282tcLnZAD6VN_mE_0P4IEsYVHWXGL-2wSf8XOkqdKh5tJfgNNwjR3Ga3fqMC5m20g89YySn_PEPGVsYqjbcrxncEWuHrz4YVoTRjGO7HgBXrIQxLi_sRV0aSpw1ERc8Q3xmtkEH52MW4EwRP7aVWMgSuB-P05Xt0ztWdIy2xsoo-y04uEo/w640-h480/416831749_7259546724080786_3616765492267178982_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A better weather day on the 5th Jan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtnNA7_6SmOJ9yS7LF0U-Gur_PPxv5VK4NhSb4nCU82ky4POdaT0JGiAApqAZu1QXnrygDz3TGU3OqDG5WSbi8IMbQH59Ck9hqZhpHGitw8tjtV4iFBNmGyCo-uKMYDB7D8M9nkjZx0XaXoA5_6Tb1UeVmQg4ftjn2vqcqAb1TATLUu6LpwAFk29Uwlc/s2048/417212528_7259546897414102_1985017988200854337_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtnNA7_6SmOJ9yS7LF0U-Gur_PPxv5VK4NhSb4nCU82ky4POdaT0JGiAApqAZu1QXnrygDz3TGU3OqDG5WSbi8IMbQH59Ck9hqZhpHGitw8tjtV4iFBNmGyCo-uKMYDB7D8M9nkjZx0XaXoA5_6Tb1UeVmQg4ftjn2vqcqAb1TATLUu6LpwAFk29Uwlc/w640-h480/417212528_7259546897414102_1985017988200854337_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 wee hare for 2 hours</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4avFJ2q8hBmKp7IKDKYt6hgr7a1XeDh_vibvZ_LGgtWXsNS2odxS6Ugooswfb5Atz17WKrQnV74KVBJPbhZLJuyNdqHXDOYO-nPo4k6_SDNmN1GmYpoFDmJMfiNPjVESVxT7rc2qXEH_UTr_oCjkX9rkL3RC17Dd0JX-eLmiHDtso3D9RiTISqkWo7M/s2048/416849244_7259548254080633_4690406117752410469_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4avFJ2q8hBmKp7IKDKYt6hgr7a1XeDh_vibvZ_LGgtWXsNS2odxS6Ugooswfb5Atz17WKrQnV74KVBJPbhZLJuyNdqHXDOYO-nPo4k6_SDNmN1GmYpoFDmJMfiNPjVESVxT7rc2qXEH_UTr_oCjkX9rkL3RC17Dd0JX-eLmiHDtso3D9RiTISqkWo7M/w640-h480/416849244_7259548254080633_4690406117752410469_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy hare photographers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cn3QygeHxGtxOPyGYH6cyU1hHDbdyZoTk_QVnConJyTknRlxZH5B9HtFPJc9L6GyAwnp4FYP63xwDD_9h-AzdvgpS0uti41lIZ_gyF9D9a6Et7laSULMjoAhhzV1xjfGCmCyCKSDEDJCtjLwz6Z6a5DcIsXHKMz7JTTqnpfndqgc-nKvWH16gzNM3lY/s5421/IP7A6753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3614" data-original-width="5421" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cn3QygeHxGtxOPyGYH6cyU1hHDbdyZoTk_QVnConJyTknRlxZH5B9HtFPJc9L6GyAwnp4FYP63xwDD_9h-AzdvgpS0uti41lIZ_gyF9D9a6Et7laSULMjoAhhzV1xjfGCmCyCKSDEDJCtjLwz6Z6a5DcIsXHKMz7JTTqnpfndqgc-nKvWH16gzNM3lY/w640-h426/IP7A6753.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the mountain hare</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_d1VHOWhnOOVsd4HGU3HHXmse82L0UoNwniqdgRZApaZv2-eAO1e7L5302hHg9Q7xbyJNegm7lwTkDeXpPlflWee8YbGsIWNa63huVeK-5TjQ_ehCeGzOeyajAo9b-cdaQAQgojECpEXPs4vuF9j91nZns0i96nuxq2aRMnRtOlHdsQpbBUoaDy-Udg/s4497/IP7A6931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2998" data-original-width="4497" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_d1VHOWhnOOVsd4HGU3HHXmse82L0UoNwniqdgRZApaZv2-eAO1e7L5302hHg9Q7xbyJNegm7lwTkDeXpPlflWee8YbGsIWNa63huVeK-5TjQ_ehCeGzOeyajAo9b-cdaQAQgojECpEXPs4vuF9j91nZns0i96nuxq2aRMnRtOlHdsQpbBUoaDy-Udg/w640-h426/IP7A6931.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kissing rocks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Our second day of photography we headed up to the high Cairngorms. No wind and colder with some late afternoon brightness. A lovely couple of hours with one of the hares. Alison and Mike over the moon. They've been to some exotic locations around the globe to photograph wildlife. Our beautiful mountain hares rank high on their list, of course.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmXv-VXeKcKhLouckLocatHtrk_7qCxPT4Fyn-1yTk5bFXwHesjcIzFLgOihCzkjmpNS-nVsgdezopxsE4OpWIBH0wFNyuslYk_oAwiJRUC-ByYwxWsR2b7sz-InqUS108_YKw2X1bMFs6T5tTIqYYKra-ruYyItzrF0-RFiBoMxjEjn1JVaGqUS9HbM/s2048/416913212_7262898077078984_918320971605484237_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmXv-VXeKcKhLouckLocatHtrk_7qCxPT4Fyn-1yTk5bFXwHesjcIzFLgOihCzkjmpNS-nVsgdezopxsE4OpWIBH0wFNyuslYk_oAwiJRUC-ByYwxWsR2b7sz-InqUS108_YKw2X1bMFs6T5tTIqYYKra-ruYyItzrF0-RFiBoMxjEjn1JVaGqUS9HbM/w640-h480/416913212_7262898077078984_918320971605484237_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White out conditions and hard, frozen snow on the 6th January</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBosyDRYNOse7KX1hZ1o_wCLYZ2rzEZxz47WVu8kJKTRJtC_YEHZ82Kte5wDiT1Y9k0_QCstbydhoekl2kLQjtsjqBJeNkW1GQdnhxWw3qbyaxEj2ih2fy0REJEy_PpAhBmTq81b8ZHwbjOy4q0hi1I-SqQRIsK2dmP7ZPERms6_rQTLeaFhyhkk8b9s/s2048/416913357_7262897223745736_8867256451758493711_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBosyDRYNOse7KX1hZ1o_wCLYZ2rzEZxz47WVu8kJKTRJtC_YEHZ82Kte5wDiT1Y9k0_QCstbydhoekl2kLQjtsjqBJeNkW1GQdnhxWw3qbyaxEj2ih2fy0REJEy_PpAhBmTq81b8ZHwbjOy4q0hi1I-SqQRIsK2dmP7ZPERms6_rQTLeaFhyhkk8b9s/w640-h480/416913357_7262897223745736_8867256451758493711_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cramponing and axe skills</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGQZShONzcIbQjuJ9gFiCq2LdiTr1cyr-xLGTyMYciSryn0Ffd-60lyeRFgHUM82tbnFcozAnnlUka47KJVn7XXqg_rzhbsWJbXAZofImfNJRRrz_lK_VZzYEeE4qJfteMeiKm21NZd4UufEslgVEYyy7G4396-gM5bKctOKwWbvrS077iC271DjGtqw/s2048/416956964_7262899010412224_3048051036751870492_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGQZShONzcIbQjuJ9gFiCq2LdiTr1cyr-xLGTyMYciSryn0Ffd-60lyeRFgHUM82tbnFcozAnnlUka47KJVn7XXqg_rzhbsWJbXAZofImfNJRRrz_lK_VZzYEeE4qJfteMeiKm21NZd4UufEslgVEYyy7G4396-gM5bKctOKwWbvrS077iC271DjGtqw/w640-h480/416956964_7262899010412224_3048051036751870492_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor visibility most of the day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>On the 6th January Paulina & Kevin were out on a 1 day intro to hillwalking in winter. The snow had firmed up nicely in the much colder conditions. There was still some breakable crust but high up superb conditions, as long as your navigation skills are up to scratch of course.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfnTTYMJ92DSHfs9-sObV9y64R7spbM0n0vrkfzP0_BY0Wk6EHep9YwGhBZay78ghlgIb8mSCniyUyTDipONsRtMWaHF1P8yIYHvI2Cz8dlOP94h_Mc5iAl0R6S9v38MoM0wH4fNBDhrIzXt97PfAovocwWoYZzpX3UobmcQ_EuZ-Fg9UU9A0ckCqPEY/s2048/416956206_7266321956736596_1325762348885011749_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfnTTYMJ92DSHfs9-sObV9y64R7spbM0n0vrkfzP0_BY0Wk6EHep9YwGhBZay78ghlgIb8mSCniyUyTDipONsRtMWaHF1P8yIYHvI2Cz8dlOP94h_Mc5iAl0R6S9v38MoM0wH4fNBDhrIzXt97PfAovocwWoYZzpX3UobmcQ_EuZ-Fg9UU9A0ckCqPEY/w640-h480/416956206_7266321956736596_1325762348885011749_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew, Tim & Gilly on their 3 day course, 7th January</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSha4txZG_BLGc9ciXmNaSrDr0-0jO4DMigG86EYnsOdKsGOCS0aGop6sROhDPBHxAsxYySjj-4oahqYFrOFvXGsMkvo4uti6rhRTeK_YWvbmIsownnJP2lgvw2PakOj1Ve0wKL423MmdEl0Dpgqfuu9J9YPY_S5sw3I5SWJqup9ZXdAjc5Gwl8w3UTk/s2048/416971806_7266322480069877_4981341206060685824_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSha4txZG_BLGc9ciXmNaSrDr0-0jO4DMigG86EYnsOdKsGOCS0aGop6sROhDPBHxAsxYySjj-4oahqYFrOFvXGsMkvo4uti6rhRTeK_YWvbmIsownnJP2lgvw2PakOj1Ve0wKL423MmdEl0Dpgqfuu9J9YPY_S5sw3I5SWJqup9ZXdAjc5Gwl8w3UTk/w480-h640/416971806_7266322480069877_4981341206060685824_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fleeting glimpses of blue skies above Coire an Lochain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>On Sunday 7th January I was joined by Andrew and his two friends, Tim & Gilly. I've guided Andrew on numerous occasions since 2015. He has been out with me in Winter, summer and on a two week Alpine trek. Despite the fact he is a competent and experienced ski mountaineer he always has a few days out with me every year. Some folk I take out just like the fact they can switch off a bit from planning a day or days out, not having to think about navigation or route planning. Andrew always brings along new folk for a group experience. These are usually long term friends of his. Tim and Gilly were completely new to winter hillwalking. We kicked off day 1 with the basics in Coire an Lochain then along the Northern corries. Unfortunately we were plagued by low cloud, despite a big high pressure system now firmly established over The Highlands. It's not always guaranteed to have blue skies with high pressure!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLH41l6EgDs2k2odyEn8z3WLRGqi4Kxw-ULH5Nagv7SZ-LvNPh-uHxL8bAMbNKor9f8EJjdhS1JoKiTLziBm_k4A5BneY810h7ktiCmSKR_bATZqKNSSWpZum-VEzV8QKz7pSLy_HOHdhXvVvHvxUQkE4WrJd2LpoimWALtsKoVkW0kWAvFh9ulNPa4M/s2048/417227680_7266322340069891_1160212104569717787_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLH41l6EgDs2k2odyEn8z3WLRGqi4Kxw-ULH5Nagv7SZ-LvNPh-uHxL8bAMbNKor9f8EJjdhS1JoKiTLziBm_k4A5BneY810h7ktiCmSKR_bATZqKNSSWpZum-VEzV8QKz7pSLy_HOHdhXvVvHvxUQkE4WrJd2LpoimWALtsKoVkW0kWAvFh9ulNPa4M/w480-h640/417227680_7266322340069891_1160212104569717787_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire an Lochain, 7th Jan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKBRbC_oUpc4aV6tsqs2HjbE2ZJad2ijs3LVmyvv8XTSW9gZ7fi0faHQ4Ri1btsWf8vT6mzTekhqRBLk6xRNGLy-4L6GphOso8jXpthd633k8eRWRsI7nZDAJ6WHwA7PDHNBN9Sv3Gt9AzITK_1oFcrzgIDKp-JW8Kr36KZ0-zc6Tpg5F5DnEaXAc0S0/s2048/417234106_7266323213403137_8244552782673030256_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKBRbC_oUpc4aV6tsqs2HjbE2ZJad2ijs3LVmyvv8XTSW9gZ7fi0faHQ4Ri1btsWf8vT6mzTekhqRBLk6xRNGLy-4L6GphOso8jXpthd633k8eRWRsI7nZDAJ6WHwA7PDHNBN9Sv3Gt9AzITK_1oFcrzgIDKp-JW8Kr36KZ0-zc6Tpg5F5DnEaXAc0S0/w640-h480/417234106_7266323213403137_8244552782673030256_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Occasional breaks in the cloud</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLXN3Wy6Nj-9HibQioZ0Z7__eVxP656Qwkqz3C-SvBqWzeZyvjv52xcBTrmznqwqalOqPa9v3OM1wX6Rx_SPytIrEEM4LhM-kWWu5HVN0pr1vOGap_1k9xd236zjx3xC2F8Cfo7cW74W-xytfvvPhBQtpnohg92gZVM0TAvcAcW1WCXXn1oxr9wcLb08/s2048/417243267_7266323060069819_5695697192942070582_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLXN3Wy6Nj-9HibQioZ0Z7__eVxP656Qwkqz3C-SvBqWzeZyvjv52xcBTrmznqwqalOqPa9v3OM1wX6Rx_SPytIrEEM4LhM-kWWu5HVN0pr1vOGap_1k9xd236zjx3xC2F8Cfo7cW74W-xytfvvPhBQtpnohg92gZVM0TAvcAcW1WCXXn1oxr9wcLb08/w640-h480/417243267_7266323060069819_5695697192942070582_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Occasional white out</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPXtSGaOSXtfxXwxT2yXEfQXTlvGpXxR0Z0dkZaFG7g5g-cQ9STuUceD5zrLh6Tr5AMYS868u6yjEkcmEYAweyUTjbI14bIoQ5Dk6Ht5HPiBN_Ml1p9fn0d-2A4FDl2zUlPCQZPDk5WBCRbgTSdQBdwNikXlqK41M0BSRh9gK0_bVhJY3tsrg_NRoaGE/s2048/417243260_7266322076736584_9027658876192680878_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPXtSGaOSXtfxXwxT2yXEfQXTlvGpXxR0Z0dkZaFG7g5g-cQ9STuUceD5zrLh6Tr5AMYS868u6yjEkcmEYAweyUTjbI14bIoQ5Dk6Ht5HPiBN_Ml1p9fn0d-2A4FDl2zUlPCQZPDk5WBCRbgTSdQBdwNikXlqK41M0BSRh9gK0_bVhJY3tsrg_NRoaGE/w640-h480/417243260_7266322076736584_9027658876192680878_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of action on the cliffs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It was looking more promising for sunshine on day 2 of the guys course. Whilst it was cold and foggy in Strathspey, it was glorious blue skies past Loch Morlich. We had a terrific day putting axe and crampons into good use.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ0taB4pK78Bjb4jUQrWPiy0hyphenhyphen1wZ8o6DafjHurERTG3u-vagm6xAG0DKFihUshacEaWi2cy3EgSWfDGMmzTHm40y3P1QtB35VIMCBA1lfP9m14cbl369-KKM-4l8Q31G16Du-O3x_WXIsrNXK7Jyhm5sXHUxP_ZlbRUwuUgPcpVlsey4WNwSDjLGx7Q/s2048/416691804_7269606286408163_8950319518970498279_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ0taB4pK78Bjb4jUQrWPiy0hyphenhyphen1wZ8o6DafjHurERTG3u-vagm6xAG0DKFihUshacEaWi2cy3EgSWfDGMmzTHm40y3P1QtB35VIMCBA1lfP9m14cbl369-KKM-4l8Q31G16Du-O3x_WXIsrNXK7Jyhm5sXHUxP_ZlbRUwuUgPcpVlsey4WNwSDjLGx7Q/w640-h480/416691804_7269606286408163_8950319518970498279_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluebird day on 8th January</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4IMUlnlN8HP3Ai5EkvGkhqKJwh4cwE7eOhM9ofJ3dUE5ZQ6Xglf-Ecqpfx399JUh0RcxOMXlR_dAvKz-RUKaHpLj3GhPGOQTY6ng4UMDIcDjhAB2Au1bHYi-YSI6skvDNPX8kLRPZs_peGMpWytOZ2MXkJp0mEKVXfAXY7ZEEGNOy1jd8ZB5b3zQKTo/s2048/416699003_7269606729741452_5247328007571531945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4IMUlnlN8HP3Ai5EkvGkhqKJwh4cwE7eOhM9ofJ3dUE5ZQ6Xglf-Ecqpfx399JUh0RcxOMXlR_dAvKz-RUKaHpLj3GhPGOQTY6ng4UMDIcDjhAB2Au1bHYi-YSI6skvDNPX8kLRPZs_peGMpWytOZ2MXkJp0mEKVXfAXY7ZEEGNOy1jd8ZB5b3zQKTo/w480-h640/416699003_7269606729741452_5247328007571531945_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys loving the snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y4-_oT6A3AtN5TIREGUoNbnoy-eczYjo_n21HhvWcl0p5iNYrg72g5bqdwHgvVhFah4xNWk1z-ZLHl4_eftpMNG2sQRrfMR_UKtFXaqHpSWs7BXglXJ7Gs2mbK8zHORvn803f9k90G1pJD_6BxE157TFGsRyV9FGFT1Kf1S52JvkQc2QbOJHwyIH_PE/s2048/417226721_7269605986408193_5605624700893633307_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y4-_oT6A3AtN5TIREGUoNbnoy-eczYjo_n21HhvWcl0p5iNYrg72g5bqdwHgvVhFah4xNWk1z-ZLHl4_eftpMNG2sQRrfMR_UKtFXaqHpSWs7BXglXJ7Gs2mbK8zHORvn803f9k90G1pJD_6BxE157TFGsRyV9FGFT1Kf1S52JvkQc2QbOJHwyIH_PE/w640-h480/417226721_7269605986408193_5605624700893633307_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brilliant conditions</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8oLvVKIvLVWJlTLQYPA3pC0bfuDtPzXMZtb-doGCaT-n8r1j0QSiQGOD8kATxEjktKdW-_FFkSWZuXP-ILjN99L9bZs_SP6itv_FPQj3DjwJz7jSQbFge2fLfHssC8O6EpIPUO-1BJO0W0ozTnRyHJiiaQNo4D0SLsKo2zK3hElG_qe4fMVvoRdllec/s2048/417232487_7269606149741510_7450351735762102354_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8oLvVKIvLVWJlTLQYPA3pC0bfuDtPzXMZtb-doGCaT-n8r1j0QSiQGOD8kATxEjktKdW-_FFkSWZuXP-ILjN99L9bZs_SP6itv_FPQj3DjwJz7jSQbFge2fLfHssC8O6EpIPUO-1BJO0W0ozTnRyHJiiaQNo4D0SLsKo2zK3hElG_qe4fMVvoRdllec/w640-h480/417232487_7269606149741510_7450351735762102354_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiacaill Coire an t-sneachda looking good</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>After some ice axe and cramponing we were up high on the plateau and savouring the vistas and sunshine. Over to the finest viewpoint in the Cairngorms for a picnic.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw5H009F9IOsE1kjfnYgpucEfVmj1SNn3CQPYvRG_K5hUKHoqjMs0O0J6_Lc6nlq1aUjMF8hpyTffWp5BMVcOi1bViMfU8BWnKiDvXmwEsE0BxSu7iXi3nkPRKgy1dSV99SeLmfKP7jfHBmB-wnYDxGr-krZUYnmj2Sn4M4rBCV52_pR7Lj7CiSRyRkg/s2048/416697121_7269636673071791_3244868702116861169_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw5H009F9IOsE1kjfnYgpucEfVmj1SNn3CQPYvRG_K5hUKHoqjMs0O0J6_Lc6nlq1aUjMF8hpyTffWp5BMVcOi1bViMfU8BWnKiDvXmwEsE0BxSu7iXi3nkPRKgy1dSV99SeLmfKP7jfHBmB-wnYDxGr-krZUYnmj2Sn4M4rBCV52_pR7Lj7CiSRyRkg/w640-h480/416697121_7269636673071791_3244868702116861169_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sublime</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhxhVFZFS_VG3VLTHhyphenhyphenXvR2wWDslWdbbFO3A_WuP6F0MUlRTpKC3mgZ-6rlDNtu5z2JEH81yITsBoeWkmWkmcxGrOJCx8uYC2os-zW8VTOcy_ZfSOOsVLZqlCWrP3OcSGAxR0CHDTNeZA2ED1XSH-djkmV5dhtTjqo9ACT5G0NqaLf_bF9cPy6kIEuXY/s2048/417235170_7269636193071839_788184422247903954_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhxhVFZFS_VG3VLTHhyphenhyphenXvR2wWDslWdbbFO3A_WuP6F0MUlRTpKC3mgZ-6rlDNtu5z2JEH81yITsBoeWkmWkmcxGrOJCx8uYC2os-zW8VTOcy_ZfSOOsVLZqlCWrP3OcSGAxR0CHDTNeZA2ED1XSH-djkmV5dhtTjqo9ACT5G0NqaLf_bF9cPy6kIEuXY/w640-h480/417235170_7269636193071839_788184422247903954_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire an t-snechda</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-opU5HFJegQoZWlXeFPEjECYNB708gkSVti7rFYK7oQ01N3wKkBiqJ8f73l66LPLB_2jvlHIOmNXy0L5GuLqXf8PL7mVf5pIToQTmFkOWPRTdizI82zPBpnUnn_CezVhGLBp8eAJIp4KVykYAfWTAHSriap9yoM2oyzKbmLTq74rdCVY4UgadbP1eLos/s2048/417231162_7269606863074772_5899262953829914073_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-opU5HFJegQoZWlXeFPEjECYNB708gkSVti7rFYK7oQ01N3wKkBiqJ8f73l66LPLB_2jvlHIOmNXy0L5GuLqXf8PL7mVf5pIToQTmFkOWPRTdizI82zPBpnUnn_CezVhGLBp8eAJIp4KVykYAfWTAHSriap9yoM2oyzKbmLTq74rdCVY4UgadbP1eLos/w640-h480/417231162_7269606863074772_5899262953829914073_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topping out!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSMsFx0kQUGY1-gzjGcmJWhQGV1Z4HXl-9tgCHi48zERoad2dMZacOValT5sZZdDl-fnQaUnjT4ph2ZQyJWA-ffvf9GH_Hhrykaalw4cYLs-maXtljLBOL_NLJnsA55CGncOY5vHnUC_fTOhh9a8wa2rG-4Gv_NyfGJCUlRYLGcnmQKe1BwGSGtks6sY/s2048/417231147_7269635759738549_8583751953803172930_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSMsFx0kQUGY1-gzjGcmJWhQGV1Z4HXl-9tgCHi48zERoad2dMZacOValT5sZZdDl-fnQaUnjT4ph2ZQyJWA-ffvf9GH_Hhrykaalw4cYLs-maXtljLBOL_NLJnsA55CGncOY5vHnUC_fTOhh9a8wa2rG-4Gv_NyfGJCUlRYLGcnmQKe1BwGSGtks6sY/w640-h480/417231147_7269635759738549_8583751953803172930_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peace and tranquility</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Nwwfy1jYoEbNy3h81j45YPphJMiLHb9Jkcal9dUQdQU8Hz2vV29LOj2PDgoViK31FoEki_03KkucW9SWyFCeTvmlB9MYLq7jxZpP05Ig3LaT8G-yqaSWn2uaDxiydRKnWWZUPsV1NpxqyJGdXUgIkIjR1_k-OZ97WwSYFjQbefJ5fG12GPt4LD0lEAE/s2048/417237279_7269607179741407_2072957153241859949_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Nwwfy1jYoEbNy3h81j45YPphJMiLHb9Jkcal9dUQdQU8Hz2vV29LOj2PDgoViK31FoEki_03KkucW9SWyFCeTvmlB9MYLq7jxZpP05Ig3LaT8G-yqaSWn2uaDxiydRKnWWZUPsV1NpxqyJGdXUgIkIjR1_k-OZ97WwSYFjQbefJ5fG12GPt4LD0lEAE/w640-h480/417237279_7269607179741407_2072957153241859949_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not too shabby for a pic-nic</td></tr></tbody></table>After lunch we headed over and up to Cairn Gorm. Gilly & Tim's first Munro summit. Along the way stunning views. Plenty of climbers out today.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6KVQkJ2dFsZ_IKBgt9xMi0LreQr4meOwWL8JplzYsEaExqIQeuiilf3mynOk73CSI1yGa2lNyfIVPlnAyGBOB245nWT5tBwTMFOGe0N2XedvdYh7jvGDaLEIzDj_nYpYDTTOS9vDKY9FZfgQu42fVfURrPDloDJErm6wQV5Mj7389NhEr0o6GrQBsj4/s2048/416699929_7269607449741380_8004156689474498249_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6KVQkJ2dFsZ_IKBgt9xMi0LreQr4meOwWL8JplzYsEaExqIQeuiilf3mynOk73CSI1yGa2lNyfIVPlnAyGBOB245nWT5tBwTMFOGe0N2XedvdYh7jvGDaLEIzDj_nYpYDTTOS9vDKY9FZfgQu42fVfURrPDloDJErm6wQV5Mj7389NhEr0o6GrQBsj4/w640-h480/416699929_7269607449741380_8004156689474498249_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy chappies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29CuFmPfNRucG4WtmeCkNm48Zx6ikqpZPpCaPXoXy_0m7n6-0k02JDyXNN44qbVzv4xsgq4U8uM4muhOEKV6UY-uGpdvAktpbA7Gyo2dsfxYgdtgVbiqfgRgbxu3P8I9d6BM6nK0K_kUEqaojDuWf-3ZO2USjvU9_Wj6_DkpwSUb8Uv_OW2nmo5WJTII/s2048/416882004_7269609096407882_3597013736560879658_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29CuFmPfNRucG4WtmeCkNm48Zx6ikqpZPpCaPXoXy_0m7n6-0k02JDyXNN44qbVzv4xsgq4U8uM4muhOEKV6UY-uGpdvAktpbA7Gyo2dsfxYgdtgVbiqfgRgbxu3P8I9d6BM6nK0K_kUEqaojDuWf-3ZO2USjvU9_Wj6_DkpwSUb8Uv_OW2nmo5WJTII/w640-h480/416882004_7269609096407882_3597013736560879658_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairngorms above the cloud in Strathspey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLZj87h3Uk37qZljGUkTHQy2ep1nHbNexq46XDV9iT7cTBfX8t_qVquEcxHWk5ecDxfpgkJmTxV5jnjKR7fxalYAq2gQOq_t6QhVItBsVDZnTe8-bFZw75IFaGNoCa4886DWfgkJIi1yDkA-d-4wB5pX5qwWZxGKkfIW4PoFi37FHh_4U6fqONrMj28Y/s2048/417234202_7269608809741244_1849390915986722282_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLZj87h3Uk37qZljGUkTHQy2ep1nHbNexq46XDV9iT7cTBfX8t_qVquEcxHWk5ecDxfpgkJmTxV5jnjKR7fxalYAq2gQOq_t6QhVItBsVDZnTe8-bFZw75IFaGNoCa4886DWfgkJIi1yDkA-d-4wB5pX5qwWZxGKkfIW4PoFi37FHh_4U6fqONrMj28Y/w640-h480/417234202_7269608809741244_1849390915986722282_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fingers Ridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZT1KO0x7uzaAdrVJo8lbR0keFjSxzqUHvY1P2XyTDZq59fP9n2tkV4D3YRSn7E-Ia4cqay0wuwS7jX40hTJiShWkjFM0YTj7V_FgLKca3r9k4bCrd5vLzwg6Xhbgl77D5sBkJ9K8wl87Xykzq45UtLwQAdEYPOtMZCxbN5osyG2xR8H820yNbmTlqxI/s2048/417236786_7269608959741229_7488733292911988767_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZT1KO0x7uzaAdrVJo8lbR0keFjSxzqUHvY1P2XyTDZq59fP9n2tkV4D3YRSn7E-Ia4cqay0wuwS7jX40hTJiShWkjFM0YTj7V_FgLKca3r9k4bCrd5vLzwg6Xhbgl77D5sBkJ9K8wl87Xykzq45UtLwQAdEYPOtMZCxbN5osyG2xR8H820yNbmTlqxI/w640-h480/417236786_7269608959741229_7488733292911988767_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pygmy Ridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The cloud sat in Strathspey all day whilst we savoured the sun. There was some late afternoon cloud rolling in, giving Cairn Gorm an eerie but beautiful late in the day colours.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy04aRwSrkJKr1BvemCismFLb-RRqyjncfDF5EUPzX9TpZvW8gZu0LKpGH2INaOQQCBFosmdIm3UBXc2rnMIVIKJ32kdtNidaiJwN1QPZF25vwVXnJX8KBSamGXQY9kPbTEwrmoTeNTbDcl1F_Jj45JJHI0NSzJ2IdSYj3Y8REV4uzQyxjv0G2F4itOrI/s2048/416700045_7269609383074520_2170343488097898023_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy04aRwSrkJKr1BvemCismFLb-RRqyjncfDF5EUPzX9TpZvW8gZu0LKpGH2INaOQQCBFosmdIm3UBXc2rnMIVIKJ32kdtNidaiJwN1QPZF25vwVXnJX8KBSamGXQY9kPbTEwrmoTeNTbDcl1F_Jj45JJHI0NSzJ2IdSYj3Y8REV4uzQyxjv0G2F4itOrI/w640-h480/416700045_7269609383074520_2170343488097898023_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon cloud over Ben Macdui</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0KoSQ5utLIil0s-7lKqctob1zuOyVBoMELiiVwoAM52zZv8uhvM1ZK5I0oaAcgjntVPLmt_dNiOLXMhth1EpJU0EpHl55aGEW5SUB3D5qT22Nhj2UXh5JdRqiFSyqKxtPrMFSHflJTy53LUEInBf9bGnM982Ha-mqHXIBG0HG83Y8esQlxcqPGiK7v0/s2048/417248519_7269607706408021_6319430456437909740_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0KoSQ5utLIil0s-7lKqctob1zuOyVBoMELiiVwoAM52zZv8uhvM1ZK5I0oaAcgjntVPLmt_dNiOLXMhth1EpJU0EpHl55aGEW5SUB3D5qT22Nhj2UXh5JdRqiFSyqKxtPrMFSHflJTy53LUEInBf9bGnM982Ha-mqHXIBG0HG83Y8esQlxcqPGiK7v0/w640-h480/417248519_7269607706408021_6319430456437909740_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning light</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLRpx5QZVSGfS59pFhMoRbiUtwE0hVe6AJJPmbhR8OpvXahOvVLQQkvE8JQuXEVSwTlWr307f5ysRMJRRLsxnM0pRPvsGCW9bVzCHeM731-0c-dZ9erSydoJf34BHys4ypPLwIp90jc4CDKXruqcfZ3u1rvfCmwOlqYyAjpGF04GnzVE3lYB_PQVL8Ew/s2048/417249937_7269609503074508_7769656572488867910_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLRpx5QZVSGfS59pFhMoRbiUtwE0hVe6AJJPmbhR8OpvXahOvVLQQkvE8JQuXEVSwTlWr307f5ysRMJRRLsxnM0pRPvsGCW9bVzCHeM731-0c-dZ9erSydoJf34BHys4ypPLwIp90jc4CDKXruqcfZ3u1rvfCmwOlqYyAjpGF04GnzVE3lYB_PQVL8Ew/w640-h480/417249937_7269609503074508_7769656572488867910_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn Gorm</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>For the third and last day we decided on another Munro summit and away from the busy main Cairngom mountains. Sgor Gaoithe seemed a good bet before the boys long drive back home to the Lincolnshire Alps.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfVI-bUZmkcZPR-bzzO1JcJHw-p4-62qky9VB6d7OQgt8rUcoxuPEPS21LaXdHqW0JelcDuFVhc8qAC0LJlQaPqYdtOaDbK6FBWdqxz4JrdwB4_uNVgcY08a5TP4d6jDUuxP0Dbh3ZsBJMIWLNzZSiFqi-Jvz-TxWklCX1k3aDIpgGf_Je3ZIyoftGTw/s2048/418281119_7273319662703492_2162835801822734784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfVI-bUZmkcZPR-bzzO1JcJHw-p4-62qky9VB6d7OQgt8rUcoxuPEPS21LaXdHqW0JelcDuFVhc8qAC0LJlQaPqYdtOaDbK6FBWdqxz4JrdwB4_uNVgcY08a5TP4d6jDUuxP0Dbh3ZsBJMIWLNzZSiFqi-Jvz-TxWklCX1k3aDIpgGf_Je3ZIyoftGTw/w640-h480/418281119_7273319662703492_2162835801822734784_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuesday 9th January, Sgor Gaoithe</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TcfPTmwBnvTYGW01qf027AnAMyRumNREkTZ11Vu-A1kZq3dFpt8q4C08JRPazu6r5dEuuF4I0PSATW4alXV4z8uZd9rl76CH7L0mCwmpwpaFkxkiOVpOvLNSM2BzAz1WoTHFUiKKlwB9X1Rx5cgIgIonONO1McY4DbLMT2bfGWwdRhGuaw0yGYLJtuc/s2048/418308744_7273320039370121_7096251591270355757_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TcfPTmwBnvTYGW01qf027AnAMyRumNREkTZ11Vu-A1kZq3dFpt8q4C08JRPazu6r5dEuuF4I0PSATW4alXV4z8uZd9rl76CH7L0mCwmpwpaFkxkiOVpOvLNSM2BzAz1WoTHFUiKKlwB9X1Rx5cgIgIonONO1McY4DbLMT2bfGWwdRhGuaw0yGYLJtuc/w640-h480/418308744_7273320039370121_7096251591270355757_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scenic, quiet and steeper way up</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFrIAqH3cqt65jv9ixqx3IxcPmJH6DN92x-6ICy-a4FlmmM2bmPn37J6u50Pd-llUCEbz__uzbnL7eAoLPDf9vDnepEq4EQunlN8z07qx1DEF2ZYKlaEOI95CpqenZAFOMAvhlj5AA2pSgxWCqIlXgz9uS-LW2sMckppBYcQ1dzxjQ2WFdRcSShdsj2M/s2048/418299235_7273319842703474_6727367708162550820_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFrIAqH3cqt65jv9ixqx3IxcPmJH6DN92x-6ICy-a4FlmmM2bmPn37J6u50Pd-llUCEbz__uzbnL7eAoLPDf9vDnepEq4EQunlN8z07qx1DEF2ZYKlaEOI95CpqenZAFOMAvhlj5AA2pSgxWCqIlXgz9uS-LW2sMckppBYcQ1dzxjQ2WFdRcSShdsj2M/w640-h480/418299235_7273319842703474_6727367708162550820_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breaking into the sun</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17CVpt29rsw1ptKN51eUU2Hc2uH8eJH9AZrL6i3gYG1kwsBTHJOsMX8GPtEycilqwaUSjE9Q0Kn8ptR78tIHkRS2CEgtl9QWNbmeEfFKppZi8yvp1LLeH7NfCYDdR3Ze8mlBdFlbAcSafElO-ZyxkGBKNT-wAaABO7EMxLAy0Jqpgd0_RXWd1f_0yTlU/s2048/418304404_7273319326036859_3377532358598006571_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17CVpt29rsw1ptKN51eUU2Hc2uH8eJH9AZrL6i3gYG1kwsBTHJOsMX8GPtEycilqwaUSjE9Q0Kn8ptR78tIHkRS2CEgtl9QWNbmeEfFKppZi8yvp1LLeH7NfCYDdR3Ze8mlBdFlbAcSafElO-ZyxkGBKNT-wAaABO7EMxLAy0Jqpgd0_RXWd1f_0yTlU/w640-h480/418304404_7273319326036859_3377532358598006571_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly there</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>It was aroumd minus 10 C in Aviemore at 0830. Meanwhile a balmy minus 3 C on the Munros. Another temperature inversion except no cloud in the strath. A temperature inversion doesn't alway mean cloud in the valley. Therefore the term that some folk use of 'cloud inversion' is incorrect. </div><div><br /></div><div>We took a devious, direct route up to Sgor Gaoithe via one of the burn beds and into a high, steeper bowl for the guys to get some more ice axe action. Superb snow conditions and wall to wall blue skies.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbJl-NpHOeYNRuLo3kY4fzcWCdbKEdnr0obLpsBol7ZZqH8b8Kah4eTlabXWFPb3yWAWgj14TvH98lnsvIfHX8exgp1XgTXb_BZkSln3f3uEKZyhoShRs53JFbF_jy_OAzykAu7wwIPYAIUQK1KQcxBz78wr29Neq8sPZssDHXVNaLnBimm9OdwPtrW0/s2048/418299481_7273318309370294_632569042316418552_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbJl-NpHOeYNRuLo3kY4fzcWCdbKEdnr0obLpsBol7ZZqH8b8Kah4eTlabXWFPb3yWAWgj14TvH98lnsvIfHX8exgp1XgTXb_BZkSln3f3uEKZyhoShRs53JFbF_jy_OAzykAu7wwIPYAIUQK1KQcxBz78wr29Neq8sPZssDHXVNaLnBimm9OdwPtrW0/w640-h480/418299481_7273318309370294_632569042316418552_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic summit image</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqISDRAdlOLNzQCvFXMkpFnRVbTRMGP6cAj7sUGlxteRsSaxCW2cCEI4MXWe7rv7CoG4JFE1VUtNzgGcbh39KjFddsnDkeNghAHVOGv8if5x8RddhBShni-jd9AP3BNZDCtGHFqbNrxJWaMxWb6PlyaJjU7hSR8BI0KQPDyFpzulQ56k9gghkjTRj_SYo/s2048/418299573_7273319036036888_7195087873517509597_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqISDRAdlOLNzQCvFXMkpFnRVbTRMGP6cAj7sUGlxteRsSaxCW2cCEI4MXWe7rv7CoG4JFE1VUtNzgGcbh39KjFddsnDkeNghAHVOGv8if5x8RddhBShni-jd9AP3BNZDCtGHFqbNrxJWaMxWb6PlyaJjU7hSR8BI0KQPDyFpzulQ56k9gghkjTRj_SYo/w640-h480/418299573_7273319036036888_7195087873517509597_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braeriach looking fine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr179At5NG9e2Um1wbyE_Q7hyphenhyphen9BDVyWbunx-glP_Kex2LtYYyin6erbF1Wo6JDAHiFTfAYhsYNW7FKjkgcAsKErrQrh2qBT8JqkulBLC-I2WK6bJcMgtx8DsTVjfpOtI5qSqX9d7TquvVGDurb5GjzFylbKAA9P1OpJNSiGp3GawvF3y7KoyfvRndNDYw/s2048/418313564_7273318866036905_1811197276221043549_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr179At5NG9e2Um1wbyE_Q7hyphenhyphen9BDVyWbunx-glP_Kex2LtYYyin6erbF1Wo6JDAHiFTfAYhsYNW7FKjkgcAsKErrQrh2qBT8JqkulBLC-I2WK6bJcMgtx8DsTVjfpOtI5qSqX9d7TquvVGDurb5GjzFylbKAA9P1OpJNSiGp3GawvF3y7KoyfvRndNDYw/w640-h480/418313564_7273318866036905_1811197276221043549_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Munro for Andrew, too</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jo8zi1Iyk5FCRfuHLxK3YlW-eG0_LUflxslki7SLiKooUyjTrbNMACAbSX4J1-UQh3evAZAXQE1ahsdsk3fXqS8i10v6I5FlVFcAmmo9l9NRNLAvxaJm0-6VlvxW_wRzBQ6gr8JKr9B1BVvAhm6VuI-3ySvvHYLthLzkS1JR9gtLM2SmQjBrpXlDfjo/s2048/418421879_7273320389370086_5526388118365593796_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jo8zi1Iyk5FCRfuHLxK3YlW-eG0_LUflxslki7SLiKooUyjTrbNMACAbSX4J1-UQh3evAZAXQE1ahsdsk3fXqS8i10v6I5FlVFcAmmo9l9NRNLAvxaJm0-6VlvxW_wRzBQ6gr8JKr9B1BVvAhm6VuI-3ySvvHYLthLzkS1JR9gtLM2SmQjBrpXlDfjo/w640-h480/418421879_7273320389370086_5526388118365593796_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading down on firm, icy, dreamy snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtN8MjnIfZSoElzh5VJXzDzsY4eLvycr4UMz_JHLTdyKqow_q8bV-dyutTazOGrJoY4ET_Jr7dtl063Yo-guNFvVZ9tLD7HGdlUbPcnh0MhIGswc3CJ-Zrhxyg0FqzAAOSCNxCgnFXus0Fy4rsA3zjEfj7n7_yeZMQQgMv9dbjOg_WWKdgSWkHIFRfmw/s2048/418418135_7273320499370075_762388897218594278_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtN8MjnIfZSoElzh5VJXzDzsY4eLvycr4UMz_JHLTdyKqow_q8bV-dyutTazOGrJoY4ET_Jr7dtl063Yo-guNFvVZ9tLD7HGdlUbPcnh0MhIGswc3CJ-Zrhxyg0FqzAAOSCNxCgnFXus0Fy4rsA3zjEfj7n7_yeZMQQgMv9dbjOg_WWKdgSWkHIFRfmw/w480-h640/418418135_7273320499370075_762388897218594278_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice world</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-84767908741231688342024-01-02T16:07:00.001+00:002024-01-02T16:11:04.039+00:00MY FAVOURITE IMAGES IN 2023<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMy7BAwbsSKkPL8g2ZTob1lQfS1-4Q9-gobLfDPBggGdgk57IGS4_xM7_9JiBcOuL8CO7WptSoJRLPuqJiM13WPXaY05tsKmFFExIyLkysEFdzmVPggFWUQdoiy7lQFNelZlt8I-H2fN35bf5xE-WbqCei7FR9kjTw3TTW-dSAQKDnIcaEsQx2_MqUTxQ/s6122/3%20MARCH%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4082" data-original-width="6122" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMy7BAwbsSKkPL8g2ZTob1lQfS1-4Q9-gobLfDPBggGdgk57IGS4_xM7_9JiBcOuL8CO7WptSoJRLPuqJiM13WPXaY05tsKmFFExIyLkysEFdzmVPggFWUQdoiy7lQFNelZlt8I-H2fN35bf5xE-WbqCei7FR9kjTw3TTW-dSAQKDnIcaEsQx2_MqUTxQ/w640-h426/3%20MARCH%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiacaill Coire an t-sneachda, March</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Here are my favourite images from 2023. </p><p>I landscape, 1 mountain hare and 1 'other' wildlife for each month.</p><p><br /></p><p>JANUARY</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpr-gdj_1qQra7yMMwnXEBJL0V2QCYoJ2YqFiWKFCE1ujRS1rtTMEKmIiaY6z2Nr2dXdQmWIL5ygc8SiTajFZ-MztmxwcsRBCmzsHVZPvsPPjF9z4OHHbT1u9_-mfjW-leSch_EJ7Vdhhglvu70AfQZgXn-7Rd32IXddGFUCt4QzH4THWMcz9deuudN4/s6240/1%20JANUARY%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpr-gdj_1qQra7yMMwnXEBJL0V2QCYoJ2YqFiWKFCE1ujRS1rtTMEKmIiaY6z2Nr2dXdQmWIL5ygc8SiTajFZ-MztmxwcsRBCmzsHVZPvsPPjF9z4OHHbT1u9_-mfjW-leSch_EJ7Vdhhglvu70AfQZgXn-7Rd32IXddGFUCt4QzH4THWMcz9deuudN4/w640-h426/1%20JANUARY%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lairig Ghru & Ben Macdui<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6aUVhgTxGgJZ_xng_O4YfD9007CVR0gK4FeaqHXKOqS8jda8_UXp0LWDWaX6ZhlCeBnDxbbOXr_4vS4be4jClrmdUI8dWeTRFGR7Ed4IJatmAL8dEQfo2OWuUA2-ffXl_FgSLRLVEQB-G1Mtbr20ry8BuG7EDQgWS8qPLJtqdWGwk_HIcR_CV3Dz-Aw/s6240/1%20JANUARY.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6aUVhgTxGgJZ_xng_O4YfD9007CVR0gK4FeaqHXKOqS8jda8_UXp0LWDWaX6ZhlCeBnDxbbOXr_4vS4be4jClrmdUI8dWeTRFGR7Ed4IJatmAL8dEQfo2OWuUA2-ffXl_FgSLRLVEQB-G1Mtbr20ry8BuG7EDQgWS8qPLJtqdWGwk_HIcR_CV3Dz-Aw/w640-h426/1%20JANUARY.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare, Monadhliath</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0eCVdAyTkV_FX4XR09gjbH7UQnRZlzoETmbuyLKDiaMLZXpHpM0Kldj2fpwHgHyvfuDdnpglhk9eoskn0yb6DRy1am52wkD2rVYANFEDVinGft-D93dFcC8j5n8P_bQLAwTJpkLhWXWT5S7f3d258uQvRGeIvck9FeEG5kkow5jC8Ce85rbmtElBPjA/s6240/DSCF0449.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3911" data-original-width="6240" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0eCVdAyTkV_FX4XR09gjbH7UQnRZlzoETmbuyLKDiaMLZXpHpM0Kldj2fpwHgHyvfuDdnpglhk9eoskn0yb6DRy1am52wkD2rVYANFEDVinGft-D93dFcC8j5n8P_bQLAwTJpkLhWXWT5S7f3d258uQvRGeIvck9FeEG5kkow5jC8Ce85rbmtElBPjA/w640-h402/DSCF0449.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Grouse, Monadhliath</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>FEBRUARY</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJqlIfIcT5L27hKuH0acbnx0Clp6Ee_Wwz4LU7eefqpJKnp88lyhAeQzI02zjKVS1AtCX8FVDuQZSbAIRSKqCCw3ZCwcm5txthCNd6N-Zz33KX3KObXR7dTMKcJBziqbRhzCpaiO9dTgxaqBDJFJoa8_5sem0_X25CSv6ngu8VwYJLSVMWa4wInWzgCk/s6240/2%20FEBRUARY%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJqlIfIcT5L27hKuH0acbnx0Clp6Ee_Wwz4LU7eefqpJKnp88lyhAeQzI02zjKVS1AtCX8FVDuQZSbAIRSKqCCw3ZCwcm5txthCNd6N-Zz33KX3KObXR7dTMKcJBziqbRhzCpaiO9dTgxaqBDJFJoa8_5sem0_X25CSv6ngu8VwYJLSVMWa4wInWzgCk/w640-h426/2%20FEBRUARY%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beinn Meadhoin, Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-D2xd_iR1nKBhiJFqy1R3weeiRX8LaIxBiXXZsj5NzJzEUYDK5oaHexCztnhdIhvb6pBqylHVituaY1UJiXpzDwIScBugPj4cfDlFdDNhEzhy83Ob8v2jxdTQUXWJrLOEsrpDXCvusH2qC7gVc0Nzn0axCgfp1eJ-3i5lHbyWJDCxFjd4vOTzrBfTXU/s6000/2%20FEBRUARY.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-D2xd_iR1nKBhiJFqy1R3weeiRX8LaIxBiXXZsj5NzJzEUYDK5oaHexCztnhdIhvb6pBqylHVituaY1UJiXpzDwIScBugPj4cfDlFdDNhEzhy83Ob8v2jxdTQUXWJrLOEsrpDXCvusH2qC7gVc0Nzn0axCgfp1eJ-3i5lHbyWJDCxFjd4vOTzrBfTXU/w640-h426/2%20FEBRUARY.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare, Monadhliath</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSXviC2awTHsRyqvOm9hurrgk3KZTKxfNclneKUa_OKdJ2rr9rzgfuCNLEKq8UiT2xXRGuJUnT4BKNxWb2yYiA-JvqZAy3ChD8g9bb-9145A_gQ4OBD30rI6F1narLxIlOROQkWirsy29ipypSVIUQRSFhmc-7oEYsXGcHrfAuMO4mgscQcFJGXnwZXg/s5350/DSCF2836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3388" data-original-width="5350" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSXviC2awTHsRyqvOm9hurrgk3KZTKxfNclneKUa_OKdJ2rr9rzgfuCNLEKq8UiT2xXRGuJUnT4BKNxWb2yYiA-JvqZAy3ChD8g9bb-9145A_gQ4OBD30rI6F1narLxIlOROQkWirsy29ipypSVIUQRSFhmc-7oEYsXGcHrfAuMO4mgscQcFJGXnwZXg/w640-h406/DSCF2836.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ptarmigan, Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><div>MARCH</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGmrcTXg9hVFfLwKOt3SImaDPXzmoVzoS7vraBlm5wHEUib5QXZTdY9ki6_ko5tRoEzbtFQzmi0_20gWtW4XAWhwWE4jTAg3unPqaRSK892ROo6FcTwYQALQa2ZNQECVEX731Xuh_g4PEf0rRWk_qYRsE4Jl_GXby65BTcPxxEAQgvvHaffS8WsUjyyI/s6122/3%20MARCH%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4082" data-original-width="6122" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGmrcTXg9hVFfLwKOt3SImaDPXzmoVzoS7vraBlm5wHEUib5QXZTdY9ki6_ko5tRoEzbtFQzmi0_20gWtW4XAWhwWE4jTAg3unPqaRSK892ROo6FcTwYQALQa2ZNQECVEX731Xuh_g4PEf0rRWk_qYRsE4Jl_GXby65BTcPxxEAQgvvHaffS8WsUjyyI/w640-h426/3%20MARCH%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temperature inversion, Fiacaill Coire an t-sneachda, Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthdj-4Y0nKedd408EtsZZ5ZIRN_RTuHQol4LUWQEOo17NdUIoW2SpHZAaw-h5AsDrvQ2eB71I9ThiHPw2kjhBFqFKT1H2h2uUXd53K1vmh5oipBUSIEykeWa-XBerCqFZ-vbWtMzgNBYWINmyIn57iM4CExwRvKvDstoJ46QdMl0pKQguXX_1oZ5CZ9o/s5775/3%20MARCH%20A.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5775" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthdj-4Y0nKedd408EtsZZ5ZIRN_RTuHQol4LUWQEOo17NdUIoW2SpHZAaw-h5AsDrvQ2eB71I9ThiHPw2kjhBFqFKT1H2h2uUXd53K1vmh5oipBUSIEykeWa-XBerCqFZ-vbWtMzgNBYWINmyIn57iM4CExwRvKvDstoJ46QdMl0pKQguXX_1oZ5CZ9o/w640-h404/3%20MARCH%20A.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare, Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Y-PyxUrZ3FEpWctythJr6M9f0gls_yJ7gAeiGaWXM2Jo50IwuBh0t5eayk6IL_ABH1n8QCpNvsS_WZuwz-eLOcAhZUVtj0-KVjMrXha0HLbC84yauMIqaR-JbRfV7zSrngDXx3_jdeo7NmzxzIS7oSwkcxxvD5FJNVOXHqrivKiqMUUG8uwkIGud6VI/s5082/DSCF1105.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3262" data-original-width="5082" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Y-PyxUrZ3FEpWctythJr6M9f0gls_yJ7gAeiGaWXM2Jo50IwuBh0t5eayk6IL_ABH1n8QCpNvsS_WZuwz-eLOcAhZUVtj0-KVjMrXha0HLbC84yauMIqaR-JbRfV7zSrngDXx3_jdeo7NmzxzIS7oSwkcxxvD5FJNVOXHqrivKiqMUUG8uwkIGud6VI/w640-h410/DSCF1105.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Bunting, Cairngorm plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br />APRIL</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqxB_pgFax7Kw4_vqk2XnHA_fH3lgV_z2cCb3XlF2kDQkHZ42inrocjlQVkdbJo_LYSo6emavawXxvOuw-aQcLcAH_t6cXVHpoXAQVzZJtWl9E1VOi88oc0Oct2fcFT97Ja1eZ2eFifpdFEK9gkOvMtJrrHoWcjqgQYLEm0_yprAAwH7WhbPqoYTaq2c/s4912/4%20APRIL%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="4912" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqxB_pgFax7Kw4_vqk2XnHA_fH3lgV_z2cCb3XlF2kDQkHZ42inrocjlQVkdbJo_LYSo6emavawXxvOuw-aQcLcAH_t6cXVHpoXAQVzZJtWl9E1VOi88oc0Oct2fcFT97Ja1eZ2eFifpdFEK9gkOvMtJrrHoWcjqgQYLEm0_yprAAwH7WhbPqoYTaq2c/w640-h402/4%20APRIL%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben More, Isle of Mull</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXf-lauln4Z7AMCBfUjHn9dFfq87D91-t26LWoowZoNRWrtnQ5tVoop1neSHvTLBppczqgoisBJ1lYiQZdNYRMToMewUL7HyRdGOIQE9toJR9YUZ5Ybwv9Uj1orhv0AVLPUDP3GJfFonEOD3S4HwfKk0IPhvciuwz5z6PBVyDs1wrN1iFzXD4g6-v5j4/s6240/4%20APRIL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXf-lauln4Z7AMCBfUjHn9dFfq87D91-t26LWoowZoNRWrtnQ5tVoop1neSHvTLBppczqgoisBJ1lYiQZdNYRMToMewUL7HyRdGOIQE9toJR9YUZ5Ybwv9Uj1orhv0AVLPUDP3GJfFonEOD3S4HwfKk0IPhvciuwz5z6PBVyDs1wrN1iFzXD4g6-v5j4/w640-h426/4%20APRIL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare, Monadliath</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_FJaWqtJlEln4w1PmNFocmBkm-ee9nCpx7tJQCcLCtRN_hq14CGauHK1cLuaHXqVX6xWf-cADI8KbvpTFUcdXXV95_xBqOJ0hMITmZGVybV6093Y9cWLWga1KqsJlX-6HAigKbdSAF20zu_wYIWsskQt9qraiLTJD2zPeDvJjP30bmOUlCzpbvu1-mA/s6240/DSCF9872.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_FJaWqtJlEln4w1PmNFocmBkm-ee9nCpx7tJQCcLCtRN_hq14CGauHK1cLuaHXqVX6xWf-cADI8KbvpTFUcdXXV95_xBqOJ0hMITmZGVybV6093Y9cWLWga1KqsJlX-6HAigKbdSAF20zu_wYIWsskQt9qraiLTJD2zPeDvJjP30bmOUlCzpbvu1-mA/w640-h426/DSCF9872.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffins pairing up, Lunga, Treshnish Isles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>MAY </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdJ4dpdY-AqC4j_QTvvD9MgLgMMNJWF_V1dT-3onrwfWbYJ-5X9e2VUEcdUfV5lyG2ggo9kp9CL9c5f4yUdVIhTadcFuvph0s5keOktefaTIRuqEuTFj78qf29H4k11yFNz7DDyEsIHScDPT2Nx5sZd9gY7usJIPtjxeK4EetrvzpzUD__9T4RxFhm2Y/s6240/5%20MAY%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdJ4dpdY-AqC4j_QTvvD9MgLgMMNJWF_V1dT-3onrwfWbYJ-5X9e2VUEcdUfV5lyG2ggo9kp9CL9c5f4yUdVIhTadcFuvph0s5keOktefaTIRuqEuTFj78qf29H4k11yFNz7DDyEsIHScDPT2Nx5sZd9gY7usJIPtjxeK4EetrvzpzUD__9T4RxFhm2Y/w640-h426/5%20MAY%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlEV5_9Kn_yhkxvFiJ5njESLM11OzcUjwoqNKcJ2Lwk18IcoovWbyGhn1f5hHOE9LJctRSPRkPMaE7zBG4gpsW4UjwteBjo0HO4VfdtZvsuzCWNZ4iCORz_67uieJSBiQxInUqGCHrvmc2hALn-UhmMCi6Gy2TMSu0VKThxF8f4Q4OG8FER0r9SsWdmI/s6240/5%20MAY.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlEV5_9Kn_yhkxvFiJ5njESLM11OzcUjwoqNKcJ2Lwk18IcoovWbyGhn1f5hHOE9LJctRSPRkPMaE7zBG4gpsW4UjwteBjo0HO4VfdtZvsuzCWNZ4iCORz_67uieJSBiQxInUqGCHrvmc2hALn-UhmMCi6Gy2TMSu0VKThxF8f4Q4OG8FER0r9SsWdmI/w640-h426/5%20MAY.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare, Monadhliath</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsnjGShJxW5vlmDlNh2WNwYHzijXbytRY-OhAxM2hDFqoS64BVoXOC1T9IstxT53mnkgGLEVEO7KGxPJChAH-yMQ-OtDkyfJnVL55d6PsTnhyphenhyphen7oK6YIPTjqICjHlZ5NdPkNZnGC04_-JGgl42yDOcW3c1g3oq9vWGVVbnujNbbbRIueSSfEbNsCGpkdI/s6240/DSCF5726.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsnjGShJxW5vlmDlNh2WNwYHzijXbytRY-OhAxM2hDFqoS64BVoXOC1T9IstxT53mnkgGLEVEO7KGxPJChAH-yMQ-OtDkyfJnVL55d6PsTnhyphenhyphen7oK6YIPTjqICjHlZ5NdPkNZnGC04_-JGgl42yDOcW3c1g3oq9vWGVVbnujNbbbRIueSSfEbNsCGpkdI/w640-h426/DSCF5726.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Ptarmigan, Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>JUNE</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFHXn291DCAyZjYPxVeFo0frxSBTPYWzGGPHLctvSQQLJmJdWZJsP8eWoe1JkpMD-yGnlUCNOoTSY0jUc-duPg-Le3l_HqWjO-tc5lOrv6FbTfSHDbq9MkI1X5AssJQ8nKyitnjF_KYfNpmhdmj2jjRyUtMs89AUEnu4_jUIZIIiuaEAOSqCWB58qC6k/s6240/6%20JUNE%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFHXn291DCAyZjYPxVeFo0frxSBTPYWzGGPHLctvSQQLJmJdWZJsP8eWoe1JkpMD-yGnlUCNOoTSY0jUc-duPg-Le3l_HqWjO-tc5lOrv6FbTfSHDbq9MkI1X5AssJQ8nKyitnjF_KYfNpmhdmj2jjRyUtMs89AUEnu4_jUIZIIiuaEAOSqCWB58qC6k/w640-h426/6%20JUNE%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bod an Deamhain & Lairig Ghru from Ben Macdui. Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCmcmoqZ3an1yr9MdGXLhiI6LzVjBP3aWsVsRrS0badBRJOCvQuvyOdBgmURV6xjB9BcxfSc6YwoWmbl2VmD0C7ItRwZySPyG1g41YvwgZJ3Q8baKC90memcMuOzkAv1hqOSaBvxpPetUP3TGXbRr9WooQPUEe_Ky-_4wcAum5I9UKk3DYoxsZU4c8Bo/s5460/DSCF2450.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3640" data-original-width="5460" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCmcmoqZ3an1yr9MdGXLhiI6LzVjBP3aWsVsRrS0badBRJOCvQuvyOdBgmURV6xjB9BcxfSc6YwoWmbl2VmD0C7ItRwZySPyG1g41YvwgZJ3Q8baKC90memcMuOzkAv1hqOSaBvxpPetUP3TGXbRr9WooQPUEe_Ky-_4wcAum5I9UKk3DYoxsZU4c8Bo/w640-h426/DSCF2450.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare, Cairngorm plateau<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEbsD1gpO5qKI1t8bFKtC7R5L5WPVgJA3quu8HhIxsix8IAxIEVfwMgEYWS6d4oAcrs-bV8Lo5N6QitiA7xA2lzE-5AgYpGC_DsfMKhXu9m8V6xc6w1vO90s8YCUnePmxv189E-NghVeUMTXu8ZkONAsQR5_4lyAv_0L9uS-6qM6GWCXTONrAvAZuZps/s5397/DSCF8329.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5397" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEbsD1gpO5qKI1t8bFKtC7R5L5WPVgJA3quu8HhIxsix8IAxIEVfwMgEYWS6d4oAcrs-bV8Lo5N6QitiA7xA2lzE-5AgYpGC_DsfMKhXu9m8V6xc6w1vO90s8YCUnePmxv189E-NghVeUMTXu8ZkONAsQR5_4lyAv_0L9uS-6qM6GWCXTONrAvAZuZps/w640-h432/DSCF8329.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dotterel, Cairngorm plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div>JULY</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFAju94fwxEVzKrZ0RUZWu5bvE3_JcHV9Y5dIn9PrvOKtfjUlWjzGWDOf-ySUSCWfHyP13vRD3owUIZDZtYyvjEVJsRzRWfAWtxr1tdD9tbFJBCj2ELtcAoe6_NibUZgUlCxchvcBNF6_tYOTvaUJG493nymjg_ByKGhP9lEiqOooh8i8HdSsN6vkOdY/s6240/7%20JULY%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFAju94fwxEVzKrZ0RUZWu5bvE3_JcHV9Y5dIn9PrvOKtfjUlWjzGWDOf-ySUSCWfHyP13vRD3owUIZDZtYyvjEVJsRzRWfAWtxr1tdD9tbFJBCj2ELtcAoe6_NibUZgUlCxchvcBNF6_tYOTvaUJG493nymjg_ByKGhP9lEiqOooh8i8HdSsN6vkOdY/w640-h426/7%20JULY%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire Mhic Fearchair, Beinn Eighe, Torridon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViviiaYzNdaZZrrDZTlgwUzij7xrwE5UwuFojQfqezaCETpVjZ-DrptPrLCFol8b_gwf_R-MurMb6FBXsMFHg4xygXv7GiO-j5jeA8ZWig_RT3QG7CJOOFbKQkWek_mseb7cBVT5X3OyGKvYXO3qMEBMGul23GjYmDo9qKeBhuNLJ6EBqNhJVQ68gNac/s4483/7%20JULY.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2899" data-original-width="4483" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViviiaYzNdaZZrrDZTlgwUzij7xrwE5UwuFojQfqezaCETpVjZ-DrptPrLCFol8b_gwf_R-MurMb6FBXsMFHg4xygXv7GiO-j5jeA8ZWig_RT3QG7CJOOFbKQkWek_mseb7cBVT5X3OyGKvYXO3qMEBMGul23GjYmDo9qKeBhuNLJ6EBqNhJVQ68gNac/w640-h414/7%20JULY.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare, Monadhliath</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zghpK99nWL3ujFfrE-D0pNFhq1C6xYVLukatnXYurJgvhJ3Js6u7IcPASnvpMUitSa5UtyWsc87F6jRlTUV1jTf8UY6gk9TcgV5fC4cOscjaw3hfiS_cf2NnZRG-Lj-G09-e1jUuas430FfRtMF4zj6dkQA5DlLUu9_2PxLJ3pBHBMFfT9ePuF0lxsk/s6240/DSCF0894.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zghpK99nWL3ujFfrE-D0pNFhq1C6xYVLukatnXYurJgvhJ3Js6u7IcPASnvpMUitSa5UtyWsc87F6jRlTUV1jTf8UY6gk9TcgV5fC4cOscjaw3hfiS_cf2NnZRG-Lj-G09-e1jUuas430FfRtMF4zj6dkQA5DlLUu9_2PxLJ3pBHBMFfT9ePuF0lxsk/w640-h426/DSCF0894.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Razorbills, Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><div>AUGUST</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9o9dlSKHiQdBtkbGDr5zGy31zewglj7UOGTIraqrWwJvfuXGII3BpJ1sHAbrhVSmNLSZWipb546qH6SWzWSBNyNi6CAOy14uiHQ9YPb_NLkm1faUnaMPoOvnRaK5GbYp-x4wpjobtBwZK4NEUjnsPhy501EDYP-uNix0ySA9iF1xkN61m30_8IwmFXuk/s4592/9%20AUGUST%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3448" data-original-width="4592" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9o9dlSKHiQdBtkbGDr5zGy31zewglj7UOGTIraqrWwJvfuXGII3BpJ1sHAbrhVSmNLSZWipb546qH6SWzWSBNyNi6CAOy14uiHQ9YPb_NLkm1faUnaMPoOvnRaK5GbYp-x4wpjobtBwZK4NEUjnsPhy501EDYP-uNix0ySA9iF1xkN61m30_8IwmFXuk/w640-h480/9%20AUGUST%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liathach & Loch Torridon from Sgor Ruadh</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK31AsLZTqyXL4qfU6WShp9OmwkDIlPU3UB0gmq4Y81VNXTz97zdGDkOk5fq8zR_K4bWHg2ccnppn3zAmbFZN_t0nGfgELKcwB5X25KV8lUcKYn25k58lK7RNWqku4o3pAOXqnqTpKuqyA22VyMwxeoUfVDFjcS6p0VBcqnz-EBA8roWHoanz9PrRLLRs/s5925/DSCF4867.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="5925" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK31AsLZTqyXL4qfU6WShp9OmwkDIlPU3UB0gmq4Y81VNXTz97zdGDkOk5fq8zR_K4bWHg2ccnppn3zAmbFZN_t0nGfgELKcwB5X25KV8lUcKYn25k58lK7RNWqku4o3pAOXqnqTpKuqyA22VyMwxeoUfVDFjcS6p0VBcqnz-EBA8roWHoanz9PrRLLRs/w640-h306/DSCF4867.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare, Monadhliath</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi27rxO8eJC3MkfkhLMQFl0xY6KK_iItgA_SeDp0LyAmgodyoXze3rR8cPldj3GRVESpzcKVpH4PQOqkNDiH3oqqT0zrkSjpmBa-if4ikeJOVpZs8EU4VpQd2dj1x_PKx2V0YJieP7_j_jpDWNr2vZKCFkTL0XA85NWkkRkaanmziq67rAoMioTZaSOM/s5531/DSCF3603%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3798" data-original-width="5531" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi27rxO8eJC3MkfkhLMQFl0xY6KK_iItgA_SeDp0LyAmgodyoXze3rR8cPldj3GRVESpzcKVpH4PQOqkNDiH3oqqT0zrkSjpmBa-if4ikeJOVpZs8EU4VpQd2dj1x_PKx2V0YJieP7_j_jpDWNr2vZKCFkTL0XA85NWkkRkaanmziq67rAoMioTZaSOM/w640-h440/DSCF3603%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffin, Isle of May</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>SEPTEMBER<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJf4FdCXq0wahh9kiy941K_MV6vZQ4XsTxNjcFzZejc0-dJB_4vC5VJVxLdjNabh2LFjopalnIwVMVRbmqvS9QWevOeH8URluBQJOkgl5Xs9AubnUQl4SkX_CYXrF8vXmTdu2gCMswjXnH1JAYyqZndzIYb041__GpnMGHSZ7ISQdlYAKvtdbIrvCJLE/s6240/9%20SEPTEMBER%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJf4FdCXq0wahh9kiy941K_MV6vZQ4XsTxNjcFzZejc0-dJB_4vC5VJVxLdjNabh2LFjopalnIwVMVRbmqvS9QWevOeH8URluBQJOkgl5Xs9AubnUQl4SkX_CYXrF8vXmTdu2gCMswjXnH1JAYyqZndzIYb041__GpnMGHSZ7ISQdlYAKvtdbIrvCJLE/w640-h426/9%20SEPTEMBER%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stac Pollaidh from Cul Mor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wrOXdf-gWCN9AGFF3b5-kpo5fzYt6SarETxJ6ctTfJz1q12ZtaCMMl8IakoLdrvEwft5JxauUoesui5l_BhV2wb22bAqJWp7RpT7NRlN2qE_yILFTVOZOOLfkGS9U8_SBrRJ2qR0LwPTTj94QRfvrH1XjaX2azKGEZITsjIqzEUzw1gTKkvoJYsRGz4/s5704/9%20SEPTEMBER.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3813" data-original-width="5704" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wrOXdf-gWCN9AGFF3b5-kpo5fzYt6SarETxJ6ctTfJz1q12ZtaCMMl8IakoLdrvEwft5JxauUoesui5l_BhV2wb22bAqJWp7RpT7NRlN2qE_yILFTVOZOOLfkGS9U8_SBrRJ2qR0LwPTTj94QRfvrH1XjaX2azKGEZITsjIqzEUzw1gTKkvoJYsRGz4/w640-h428/9%20SEPTEMBER.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare, Cairngorm plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqd0LibBmpiAcbi7egDw11zfWlDrT6XInH9wjrO1Rm3NEx1BbvLjB9jD2GwlKS-0ykxep49egCqOT6iPYUg1igHMeiePUdyxzNexvOcQhejQvdncabOgQBKEH0liUG8y42IqM1oTfpyfggr3TLJLdnJuAmqEghLkEkkWaudl10V7F8wRksffwcTu4E70/s5767/DSCF5388.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3805" data-original-width="5767" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqd0LibBmpiAcbi7egDw11zfWlDrT6XInH9wjrO1Rm3NEx1BbvLjB9jD2GwlKS-0ykxep49egCqOT6iPYUg1igHMeiePUdyxzNexvOcQhejQvdncabOgQBKEH0liUG8y42IqM1oTfpyfggr3TLJLdnJuAmqEghLkEkkWaudl10V7F8wRksffwcTu4E70/w640-h422/DSCF5388.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reindeer, Cairngorm plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>OCTOBER</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtHe-mBv_4sJBVTqqniPdJZ9ZxLMbYfaWUx04e9lnYTw9Wc2OesajPVFyqbbr2pindDjbNklgREA7GtuM7m9zd1GlpHl19Sem8YN2-RZ7yVWAzdZFHCz11yzp6unOQ1pNhXv0xSwLIdAV9Q_AUeOHys8lli41HJIdDhD3g8AvcDj_LrtWpjMRwyGtGOc/s5972/10%20OCTOBER%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4034" data-original-width="5972" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtHe-mBv_4sJBVTqqniPdJZ9ZxLMbYfaWUx04e9lnYTw9Wc2OesajPVFyqbbr2pindDjbNklgREA7GtuM7m9zd1GlpHl19Sem8YN2-RZ7yVWAzdZFHCz11yzp6unOQ1pNhXv0xSwLIdAV9Q_AUeOHys8lli41HJIdDhD3g8AvcDj_LrtWpjMRwyGtGOc/w640-h432/10%20OCTOBER%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monadhliath</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6B9T20ptAlMkxJAdPn5_Snur4x3awMhkIvhsPr7UYf2_QOOuU6JDgGu2YiXaG1uxVHv23oUcxeIdlsJV4ayFmDZyi9AWSIkORHczLsgog7L34JnixMsO3RryxSyyjy5yCi5lqgJc_Hs5wAyEeYJRV51N2BmjzQXrBovWOOIPzbT2svUFTC2_yFw50fI/s4455/10%20OCTOBER.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3917" data-original-width="4455" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6B9T20ptAlMkxJAdPn5_Snur4x3awMhkIvhsPr7UYf2_QOOuU6JDgGu2YiXaG1uxVHv23oUcxeIdlsJV4ayFmDZyi9AWSIkORHczLsgog7L34JnixMsO3RryxSyyjy5yCi5lqgJc_Hs5wAyEeYJRV51N2BmjzQXrBovWOOIPzbT2svUFTC2_yFw50fI/w640-h562/10%20OCTOBER.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare, Cairngorm plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRhCHl_4qJjWmTwKUHoHySopB0-gap817c0QzhNV46Lv9W0BgSzTdI2AHfhMSxJoz_vGENC1cHLoMB7aEx_hRCLv-DjUr7tfDqOEWUq2vBI4hqyDNt5QGl-rxrb3v2FzHcj7OZ30sg4luMUQwJ3y-93c4jRCi2GW1aatPVTfNt_8-By93X25Fok4R_YY/s5644/IP7A3219.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3795" data-original-width="5644" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRhCHl_4qJjWmTwKUHoHySopB0-gap817c0QzhNV46Lv9W0BgSzTdI2AHfhMSxJoz_vGENC1cHLoMB7aEx_hRCLv-DjUr7tfDqOEWUq2vBI4hqyDNt5QGl-rxrb3v2FzHcj7OZ30sg4luMUQwJ3y-93c4jRCi2GW1aatPVTfNt_8-By93X25Fok4R_YY/w640-h430/IP7A3219.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waxwings, Moray</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>NOVEMBER</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8UQ2KnFqS0cGN4EUKgOGLOA_N93v7LcmbNy9zj97UBF074J39KhqnjK6Ts97crQOYpKKBio3rj2DJdqWCjK9bIEZvJOu3Ik2QkQsbWK8HWJISkfnZHyLrx3gRae5Wnq3PQlUiG81f6NE0eeThk2hv3yXWWPAq0Y4AMFPGtc54y_LEqjwiaLG4qRDS0g/s6240/11%20NOVEMBER%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8UQ2KnFqS0cGN4EUKgOGLOA_N93v7LcmbNy9zj97UBF074J39KhqnjK6Ts97crQOYpKKBio3rj2DJdqWCjK9bIEZvJOu3Ik2QkQsbWK8HWJISkfnZHyLrx3gRae5Wnq3PQlUiG81f6NE0eeThk2hv3yXWWPAq0Y4AMFPGtc54y_LEqjwiaLG4qRDS0g/w640-h426/11%20NOVEMBER%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beinn Mheadhoin & Shelterstone Crag, Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYk7HP-BOJCG4ZhjQtxyDFePlEHSEebMQOjgKkceebRjddjFIm1r2UwjUZ-S6baf1aIK41IYe60McrBF4JsopRSKY63lkLkWaoZpamvkiEd4zvB3XJVWSzIo8i_QgrDqswlWyMFTlFoEpyfYuj89coagT5Yp4aoHMvI8qJ6RsKAwHGQk6NeBRoclOXNQ/s5878/11%20NOVEMBER%201%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="5878" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYk7HP-BOJCG4ZhjQtxyDFePlEHSEebMQOjgKkceebRjddjFIm1r2UwjUZ-S6baf1aIK41IYe60McrBF4JsopRSKY63lkLkWaoZpamvkiEd4zvB3XJVWSzIo8i_QgrDqswlWyMFTlFoEpyfYuj89coagT5Yp4aoHMvI8qJ6RsKAwHGQk6NeBRoclOXNQ/w640-h386/11%20NOVEMBER%201%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare, Monadhliath</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNreEyJSoccL-WO48L9q2awe7isBQAQLCJxhzJhn_CzppIhKw0-xiRi8ME3S6dZu2m80sa9Ecpvan0r1JU2JM6RxDJkX3ir4jxTPnZU_SHvZEatbt7NJdZG0f98yYqy0ocLmEPp-0feeWm80Yv9bThhhz1d6kG0zbJD6Kfewl7_-9RuxCakIDd4oiT-cg/s5553/IP7A4763.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3702" data-original-width="5553" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNreEyJSoccL-WO48L9q2awe7isBQAQLCJxhzJhn_CzppIhKw0-xiRi8ME3S6dZu2m80sa9Ecpvan0r1JU2JM6RxDJkX3ir4jxTPnZU_SHvZEatbt7NJdZG0f98yYqy0ocLmEPp-0feeWm80Yv9bThhhz1d6kG0zbJD6Kfewl7_-9RuxCakIDd4oiT-cg/w640-h426/IP7A4763.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ptarmigan, Monadhliath</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>DECEMBER<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJIJn-A5EAk7Qm6cAXpegZKlT-c3OSLn7mxTgytgD1aIsMPMwRKGE98H3dtMVVragvRSLgg9-wnjWm__GASO5zvhsAW3RIQmELHpf4obsDcqij0423M9Sixy9SxZIAMlpiQb1AshS6_FrlwoQ8tOt3-bmWtfpI0IqGOxRS-CAjzpaK7ApPu_xLENuiuU/s6240/12%20DECEMBER%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJIJn-A5EAk7Qm6cAXpegZKlT-c3OSLn7mxTgytgD1aIsMPMwRKGE98H3dtMVVragvRSLgg9-wnjWm__GASO5zvhsAW3RIQmELHpf4obsDcqij0423M9Sixy9SxZIAMlpiQb1AshS6_FrlwoQ8tOt3-bmWtfpI0IqGOxRS-CAjzpaK7ApPu_xLENuiuU/w640-h426/12%20DECEMBER%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiacaill Coire an t-sneachda, Cairngorms<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRJtVlO9qM9pvXGF2HcelGOf7zIE6OUk0RzsqvjiiuWRCQ0HdUraTzGh9BpUf39lsHwhPSAv_8YWuNDcnzsx5QIPsCfcWimf9yWoezVEY4GS5Kn3XPZwTlFEe9a_sSg-Ze5vhaJTB-5kmxh0lhKPgUoYRFDMbMASBot5h5pgYDXhuUR2_fq87k7D_0l8/s6000/12%20DECEMBER.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRJtVlO9qM9pvXGF2HcelGOf7zIE6OUk0RzsqvjiiuWRCQ0HdUraTzGh9BpUf39lsHwhPSAv_8YWuNDcnzsx5QIPsCfcWimf9yWoezVEY4GS5Kn3XPZwTlFEe9a_sSg-Ze5vhaJTB-5kmxh0lhKPgUoYRFDMbMASBot5h5pgYDXhuUR2_fq87k7D_0l8/w640-h426/12%20DECEMBER.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare, Monadhliath<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNctrXNHrX9FtUWpu2xlulcDqN8IDOegsOE8xqNbemCyKr1Bksr-mWJEseG2AjkUmpBh7KzneQzZrl5DhsGc44lfd1H8LG_vx9igzWBk3iHXDz3YcEAjA2ryiBfSxZhDN9eNrM2g9Ho-n9klWdz7rjgnzBrb-DOjREWmHOcjea9t3ajqRWqsTKetvoig/s6000/IP7A5665.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNctrXNHrX9FtUWpu2xlulcDqN8IDOegsOE8xqNbemCyKr1Bksr-mWJEseG2AjkUmpBh7KzneQzZrl5DhsGc44lfd1H8LG_vx9igzWBk3iHXDz3YcEAjA2ryiBfSxZhDN9eNrM2g9Ho-n9klWdz7rjgnzBrb-DOjREWmHOcjea9t3ajqRWqsTKetvoig/w640-h426/IP7A5665.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seal pup, Inchkeith, Firth of Forth</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div><br /></div></div>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-14983761826707323612023-12-31T21:30:00.002+00:002024-01-01T15:13:40.519+00:00FINAL WINTER COURSE IN 2023<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_1_2jVNcZKiN0qCW-o9e0msdYzagrXv5D2xyZoPlHkWkqvwHv8U2CTpHvxPFmLY7XTR745GnZqw2WHVlNKs-yM7NNiSsapHuc5RpkzrIcI2uQiZDl6SeHfNUJcy2eZ1uQU3B5Z-a-azTX1ZMvofMuwo3b0hQRKi1yLbfRPoh8wGmuxSUf9imre2XJAc/s2048/414398451_7234376599931132_6019945332395409863_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_1_2jVNcZKiN0qCW-o9e0msdYzagrXv5D2xyZoPlHkWkqvwHv8U2CTpHvxPFmLY7XTR745GnZqw2WHVlNKs-yM7NNiSsapHuc5RpkzrIcI2uQiZDl6SeHfNUJcy2eZ1uQU3B5Z-a-azTX1ZMvofMuwo3b0hQRKi1yLbfRPoh8wGmuxSUf9imre2XJAc/w480-h640/414398451_7234376599931132_6019945332395409863_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will & Liz on their 4 day winter course</td></tr></tbody></table>I ran my final winter skills course this year between 28th - 21st December 2023. Liz & Will booked on one of my 4 day winter skills courses with me. Before their trip up to the Highlands they hadn't ventured into any winter hills, anywhere. Going on a multi day course gives lots of scope to learn and hone a big variety of essential skills.<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7dMekezEMaPP_YP1kCK546FANMK-UgIszB8h40bbj-KOWwHsimF1NkmROTwz2eQ4mho_dDc-UPZAqDP_n36EiQt45LnxdXdjJE5I97bGdxM9-jEJqwyLSTbIQ8fHkWfiVF5wuTmGZZj4tvHq9cHO4l8ccOF0gftOM_sF34Q9Dva6JzatSPohP_fLM8w/s2048/414426705_7230970796938379_2810739476745868420_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7dMekezEMaPP_YP1kCK546FANMK-UgIszB8h40bbj-KOWwHsimF1NkmROTwz2eQ4mho_dDc-UPZAqDP_n36EiQt45LnxdXdjJE5I97bGdxM9-jEJqwyLSTbIQ8fHkWfiVF5wuTmGZZj4tvHq9cHO4l8ccOF0gftOM_sF34Q9Dva6JzatSPohP_fLM8w/w640-h480/414426705_7230970796938379_2810739476745868420_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self belay</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiaVOPd6TyZD-6q8aG0eOeWRWZqgaFB0VbraT0O6bz9zJzL7s7aQHXyyKE0OrUYG-LphgrXqVPajfbZ2dvln8cgg4ZCIjNVQB9ScjBLVB7AULJuebOGiuT5rdasXgCAAO66rYyxVC_tqUMzoo7Moe32ubl16l9wid3ij8YPTlpm-HfaYB2rKvRboNCr4/s2048/415540401_7230970456938413_6399586683455581631_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiaVOPd6TyZD-6q8aG0eOeWRWZqgaFB0VbraT0O6bz9zJzL7s7aQHXyyKE0OrUYG-LphgrXqVPajfbZ2dvln8cgg4ZCIjNVQB9ScjBLVB7AULJuebOGiuT5rdasXgCAAO66rYyxVC_tqUMzoo7Moe32ubl16l9wid3ij8YPTlpm-HfaYB2rKvRboNCr4/w640-h480/415540401_7230970456938413_6399586683455581631_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail breaking, a theme of the entire courses</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTilCoMbKITGo5YsvihrYaJA7z3Mn_WTzFHRGbPSaYcReQhHHmz4WhZTjnKIRi_aNl_NO8kkl9HzdgJvkTaXfeE6wLHLM86jDUdhiA8foTa-aLqdDM9dH6sps2Sg_kffciTS-TencNMwhbAA2Gjo-lbVbd7HxsrJy2iqiKJL9Ks09pEt4CUfbFhRfhVo/s2048/414405934_7230974013604724_304256949407326403_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTilCoMbKITGo5YsvihrYaJA7z3Mn_WTzFHRGbPSaYcReQhHHmz4WhZTjnKIRi_aNl_NO8kkl9HzdgJvkTaXfeE6wLHLM86jDUdhiA8foTa-aLqdDM9dH6sps2Sg_kffciTS-TencNMwhbAA2Gjo-lbVbd7HxsrJy2iqiKJL9Ks09pEt4CUfbFhRfhVo/w640-h480/414405934_7230974013604724_304256949407326403_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rewarded with a view of the Northern Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> On our first day we were restricted to some lower terrain with the high Cairngorms receiving 60mph + winds. We found some sheltered areas on Meall a' Bhuachaille to run through the basics with axe and boot and coping in wind.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit464Lf1stgSyFENFCGpMEEaNKKzMzsXLL01tnfhOg8k0pANNn8un5lSL6qBllOhf-bs7M9WUmhCdmcuytPzxA0ZMtSM3-VIqiNPlMF4qXqdRMQ1fe_d1p8zhTnFEu3bDZUMo5egfIJ_pGtsjRTiHuPWo12LNqc1-ErNXEJRrckr8Z6K0cYEvYtwHKB7g/s2048/415377659_7234377646597694_8732350432042778557_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit464Lf1stgSyFENFCGpMEEaNKKzMzsXLL01tnfhOg8k0pANNn8un5lSL6qBllOhf-bs7M9WUmhCdmcuytPzxA0ZMtSM3-VIqiNPlMF4qXqdRMQ1fe_d1p8zhTnFEu3bDZUMo5egfIJ_pGtsjRTiHuPWo12LNqc1-ErNXEJRrckr8Z6K0cYEvYtwHKB7g/w480-h640/415377659_7234377646597694_8732350432042778557_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crampons and ice axe terrain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNkvzINM_cRiqnnDf1aQFZQJwGw560Ql1xlbsdwBkZwZniqbvPHXGlS-lJye1ElADCfKLxUcLXKxw4TSIJw2wlZYoO3PpOvoDgreIdITjwv6KU9ZJY_Z07HXzLvFmpGxX1xmFSOzMNRFIu8F70gmH1GzeLt9aRkhHWIyD11cMvgdCw-UPiAp0xxdCVvM/s2048/414433338_7234378533264272_4620036697877345852_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNkvzINM_cRiqnnDf1aQFZQJwGw560Ql1xlbsdwBkZwZniqbvPHXGlS-lJye1ElADCfKLxUcLXKxw4TSIJw2wlZYoO3PpOvoDgreIdITjwv6KU9ZJY_Z07HXzLvFmpGxX1xmFSOzMNRFIu8F70gmH1GzeLt9aRkhHWIyD11cMvgdCw-UPiAp0xxdCVvM/w640-h480/414433338_7234378533264272_4620036697877345852_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steeper ground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnyFojUtseEbr3g5kXHxV-xRrAz2v_pcZN2_a0ks3ewfsd5inRyj-we6EIXenbV4TupsO3r2FSjvdI1OecegNsNqn4SM-SBo49b1K7Z1JhsghDqNSqvrEbZ_l4bQBmwkznwoKk5swHzbx9hKoaW5HfcqUVaUsCfWSfk8CyVbV79YN5cXbClSyksKOZM8/s2048/414388320_7234379293264196_4793243796869379421_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnyFojUtseEbr3g5kXHxV-xRrAz2v_pcZN2_a0ks3ewfsd5inRyj-we6EIXenbV4TupsO3r2FSjvdI1OecegNsNqn4SM-SBo49b1K7Z1JhsghDqNSqvrEbZ_l4bQBmwkznwoKk5swHzbx9hKoaW5HfcqUVaUsCfWSfk8CyVbV79YN5cXbClSyksKOZM8/w640-h480/414388320_7234379293264196_4793243796869379421_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Cairngorm plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHcV1xyH8XFrFQlIY8TXZSPllM5RV4jRlh_m54oSTBuCrBcUEilkjUtypCvI6SU-lmIPd-rAAeekcMQy9j4eSHv1-qK4mwiHSvHVg4Gi-zBvaArsPY-LcnIHIpvdGMYCL6q_WSCBuMoqe23ntc9aEu6jjFXyqHDSx5-TYG8E5zVqXjbC9K6eO5fS57FM/s2048/415409241_7234376803264445_2533923107316573963_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHcV1xyH8XFrFQlIY8TXZSPllM5RV4jRlh_m54oSTBuCrBcUEilkjUtypCvI6SU-lmIPd-rAAeekcMQy9j4eSHv1-qK4mwiHSvHVg4Gi-zBvaArsPY-LcnIHIpvdGMYCL6q_WSCBuMoqe23ntc9aEu6jjFXyqHDSx5-TYG8E5zVqXjbC9K6eO5fS57FM/w480-h640/415409241_7234376803264445_2533923107316573963_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed ground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyulXTBrQVFEIFCcKFz_NYJnu23BcoIgymICnp7zl7JI4eOkjy74zK-KZwq5cc2A5H8LAuEeqDVu1_v8q6StP4oED-5I7FhDUasCmItjbGwAhUTRGABii8AnaVFQH03Pd0BRM5MRN_a_al7Nr315sqYM29tgngHuZAhLiLQ5BPqBGYMEnJlZUTJchtOU/s2048/414420288_7234378363264289_3056088857279049800_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyulXTBrQVFEIFCcKFz_NYJnu23BcoIgymICnp7zl7JI4eOkjy74zK-KZwq5cc2A5H8LAuEeqDVu1_v8q6StP4oED-5I7FhDUasCmItjbGwAhUTRGABii8AnaVFQH03Pd0BRM5MRN_a_al7Nr315sqYM29tgngHuZAhLiLQ5BPqBGYMEnJlZUTJchtOU/w640-h480/414420288_7234378363264289_3056088857279049800_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iced rocks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bBZLNTcevTJTa4tbcIEQcVr5t8s9MW-iuUCdl3v6BLoqBQ0F_SbEwMkX1zM29PsEZJ0tmKek3qhfk5ZoLzkoOCYOtLQ_5jAalW5dVVMio4VtO3NnlIMKihz3FxRA7394FJgd7Ib6q8V2_7hwDoo4vQjn-o3WU4HcpEa4w3UjdkaJc0MJ9GbQzrBR2P4/s2048/414398489_7234378169930975_4393372947650481854_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bBZLNTcevTJTa4tbcIEQcVr5t8s9MW-iuUCdl3v6BLoqBQ0F_SbEwMkX1zM29PsEZJ0tmKek3qhfk5ZoLzkoOCYOtLQ_5jAalW5dVVMio4VtO3NnlIMKihz3FxRA7394FJgd7Ib6q8V2_7hwDoo4vQjn-o3WU4HcpEa4w3UjdkaJc0MJ9GbQzrBR2P4/w640-h480/414398489_7234378169930975_4393372947650481854_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glimpses of stunning scenery</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Day 2 and the winds abated. We could get up high and get more done. A brilliant day using axe and crampons on a variety of winter terrain. Temperatures had fallen, it was below freezing at the Coire Cas carpark. A crusty snowpack lower down but fabulous mix of ice and firm snow up on the ridges.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLJ15gr8irVSNe1c0fB7W9YVbxiRAW56ZthNjKkJZuiIy86dB2GCYTfP7baaUBn7AWN_HQBr3NxqldnMTzGHEE7V9bjhO7o9WpYR3StHjqeNALle5BKrKm5mdj3mqhBlc0UDiWZaOn5faUOZuMa9sZF8FngHn59s3ndLW-rJWDnvwuItX2UPwQ1p6c1U/s2048/414431864_7237460206289438_3973525766079162263_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLJ15gr8irVSNe1c0fB7W9YVbxiRAW56ZthNjKkJZuiIy86dB2GCYTfP7baaUBn7AWN_HQBr3NxqldnMTzGHEE7V9bjhO7o9WpYR3StHjqeNALle5BKrKm5mdj3mqhBlc0UDiWZaOn5faUOZuMa9sZF8FngHn59s3ndLW-rJWDnvwuItX2UPwQ1p6c1U/w640-h480/414431864_7237460206289438_3973525766079162263_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind and whiteout</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy10NifdSi5DBG9o5lkEKZNMm1SpVbyP1KB8U4sY7LeW2FcAryrntKhe2lDe7tL_U_KKLKqYxpwUnuFB2aIFpkRB2T6JjTOmkOHgw67pn1p0x-q6X2MC18A9xCgspM3LMMBvx1_D-sc4iPOlDdUV8HiPpkJvOxPOKBib4t905STgqlyW5KDgPQm3AzZ0/s2048/415605824_7237459976289461_403629371337876993_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy10NifdSi5DBG9o5lkEKZNMm1SpVbyP1KB8U4sY7LeW2FcAryrntKhe2lDe7tL_U_KKLKqYxpwUnuFB2aIFpkRB2T6JjTOmkOHgw67pn1p0x-q6X2MC18A9xCgspM3LMMBvx1_D-sc4iPOlDdUV8HiPpkJvOxPOKBib4t905STgqlyW5KDgPQm3AzZ0/w640-h480/415605824_7237459976289461_403629371337876993_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending in 50mph winds</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Day 3 saw the high winds back. It was forecast to be 80mph + on the high Cairngorms. The morning was calm so we opted for some lower hills in the Glenfeshie mountains. By mid day the winds had dramatically increased. Good coping strategies in the difficult conditions. Will & Liz did a grand job. We covered more avalanche awareness, navigation and just staying upright!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HnGc2p-uHt9orQm0DJ-zmLzm1AAdmCnc-910vpxope5jAtFgZDPV287cacGagorGB_c6soYDaTe6ExyfwnamBZMGvncRS-n3_exhltV4xIgUrkt2vn06bkJYv-OS0_Dof3DSa-0L5RVXntl1P1KKOGbSk3y3u5khCqI1A3xxD_BdPORJ6sySbR5_p8o/s2048/415493054_7243838645651594_6994252783514490151_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HnGc2p-uHt9orQm0DJ-zmLzm1AAdmCnc-910vpxope5jAtFgZDPV287cacGagorGB_c6soYDaTe6ExyfwnamBZMGvncRS-n3_exhltV4xIgUrkt2vn06bkJYv-OS0_Dof3DSa-0L5RVXntl1P1KKOGbSk3y3u5khCqI1A3xxD_BdPORJ6sySbR5_p8o/w640-h480/415493054_7243838645651594_6994252783514490151_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braeriach - Carn Toul plateau from Ben Macdui</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-WMQhNqoL5vZ4Y5B0zo9UNzj0bYJswupurRg4BfU-Ewe_cp-mHi50iGmlrO9xbqHaVd4RAd-RgpBTkuMdI-Voq5J62Dm-VLy8k0ikcjoEhiVgAjZLc45y6aIsodaeDO-FOE1El_RVWS6PNVCIzZZPnNAAqP3nqpYku9brS0wTuKborQJ63nWW54oC9U/s2048/415548019_7241394165896042_7434723742461299492_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-WMQhNqoL5vZ4Y5B0zo9UNzj0bYJswupurRg4BfU-Ewe_cp-mHi50iGmlrO9xbqHaVd4RAd-RgpBTkuMdI-Voq5J62Dm-VLy8k0ikcjoEhiVgAjZLc45y6aIsodaeDO-FOE1El_RVWS6PNVCIzZZPnNAAqP3nqpYku9brS0wTuKborQJ63nWW54oC9U/w640-h480/415548019_7241394165896042_7434723742461299492_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great views today</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IA5fTp8nhiDrLCC4nYilPQrUZP6_v1qZM2d3KuSxhjrdc3BcS9w-4BdQoEM6pF0ZLI6ye2NZBBVop5AK3rVQbfVWOjdAFa3hwRom1PjnbS7v_RGNsJX2uXPm6b1MGVO5Y0f5Wi0Ix2gFoLOVmS_97JT2uOKNmcKb9ePmbv7FjeSy1CVRWxaHGa7tF6g/s1440/415590931_7243837962318329_321190625972381046_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IA5fTp8nhiDrLCC4nYilPQrUZP6_v1qZM2d3KuSxhjrdc3BcS9w-4BdQoEM6pF0ZLI6ye2NZBBVop5AK3rVQbfVWOjdAFa3hwRom1PjnbS7v_RGNsJX2uXPm6b1MGVO5Y0f5Wi0Ix2gFoLOVmS_97JT2uOKNmcKb9ePmbv7FjeSy1CVRWxaHGa7tF6g/w640-h480/415590931_7243837962318329_321190625972381046_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breaking through the cloud</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_2PhO17xZF9-eDaQWtCJ_EmXtg5uEqUHoZ40LILWrOuHzUecgaB79Yaovvi42ZbJw636IqoDnENlYViDqRCm9UvZ2nAhDEIRVeyvAJ2y1SufC3UushEo8SeQaw4fzup6k0rgTrMbBA20Pe5OOfKkdWzUHOpnV90JY6R3WEC-5-fHqaO9uEwCd3a2zwY/s2048/415539548_7243838338984958_7706219873537699410_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_2PhO17xZF9-eDaQWtCJ_EmXtg5uEqUHoZ40LILWrOuHzUecgaB79Yaovvi42ZbJw636IqoDnENlYViDqRCm9UvZ2nAhDEIRVeyvAJ2y1SufC3UushEo8SeQaw4fzup6k0rgTrMbBA20Pe5OOfKkdWzUHOpnV90JY6R3WEC-5-fHqaO9uEwCd3a2zwY/w640-h480/415539548_7243838338984958_7706219873537699410_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon light on the Cairngorm plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmlnZehf1W9sSDaxA61VJcdKkPp3b1Vwc-bGHcJPVHMz1c9G5BOZTPTNp_MxbVdIx_rbRE8aH87pAYMG6sTBkSuGOr8re6IbybOI7U5fsbWFtZf6np1isHM82imoMqpJu61EZD-mP703So_fKKjyONy2EDhHvlPX1R5D6hAztmshQ_HEp4sti1bU9Zvs/s1440/415583305_7243838025651656_1273371849451006828_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmlnZehf1W9sSDaxA61VJcdKkPp3b1Vwc-bGHcJPVHMz1c9G5BOZTPTNp_MxbVdIx_rbRE8aH87pAYMG6sTBkSuGOr8re6IbybOI7U5fsbWFtZf6np1isHM82imoMqpJu61EZD-mP703So_fKKjyONy2EDhHvlPX1R5D6hAztmshQ_HEp4sti1bU9Zvs/w640-h480/415583305_7243838025651656_1273371849451006828_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrations on the summit of Ben Macdui</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The final day on the couples's course. A brilliant end to the 4 days. We had a brilliant time on Ben Macdui. Full snow cover at all levels and unconsolidated snow. This meant hard work trail breaking, despite some footprints already on the route. The winds went from 30mph at the carpark to nil on the Cairngorm plateau. The clouds dispersed and superb views were enjoyed on the summit. A beautiful descent, we had the hill to ourselves for a big chunk of the day. Final hour was in darkness, headtorches are essential bits of kit. A top 4 days with great company. A great end to 2023.</p><p>Happy New Year!</p>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-51505074339854198902023-12-27T12:45:00.004+00:002023-12-27T13:41:03.910+00:00CHRISTMAS DAY & BOXING DAY<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2oSSQDW68Iy9rDwOTRkXakqRD11b2d_mfLwJW7EGcpHwipcwHmWkZnL2b2NmJoVehKrZA7Ykg4Jn7GOAucNcZFuxKG5v7z24N6e_T0QrfU5MLHmbrK2UDLpjO8E6_sPnDw2gl1wDtf1TUaJ2-neHoeYuhJwYAx48c0ADGngUv16v5kmEnXY9rCxFYqs/s2048/414071824_7223612724340853_2278653422520588703_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2oSSQDW68Iy9rDwOTRkXakqRD11b2d_mfLwJW7EGcpHwipcwHmWkZnL2b2NmJoVehKrZA7Ykg4Jn7GOAucNcZFuxKG5v7z24N6e_T0QrfU5MLHmbrK2UDLpjO8E6_sPnDw2gl1wDtf1TUaJ2-neHoeYuhJwYAx48c0ADGngUv16v5kmEnXY9rCxFYqs/w640-h480/414071824_7223612724340853_2278653422520588703_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boxing Day, blue skies, great snow cover, only a breeze </td></tr></tbody></table><br />Here at Tarmachan Towers we always have a Christmas break from work. Although a few years ago I did work on walking trips abroad and have actually worked Christmas Day on Ben Nevis back in 2010, when we had a stunning spell of conditions. Generally my wife and I head out on the hills together at the festive holidays. A good plod before stuffing ourselves with excess food. This year was no different. On Christmas Day we set off walking in the dark at 7am. Although it was chilly and the freezing level was around 700m, there was no snow on the Monadhliath. Lovely and peaceful. After a clear start the high level cloud soon obscured any hope of beautiful sunrise colours. We were back home before 11am.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqrJBB4fW4A-y0NQKanemLqVlxZG0yFvIJkdAqzg3eaKlEB0zWXynpYv-IlztArtTJE-n-wHic5SyC7ZOkre33F7x7_RiQSWTRYYrJVK5o7LzcPhtSqhdJDp1wtgfcmcdPzO-QLI4O2xgKPgx8xBr20pXEuPsY6C9kPK5_fSglmikJTYXgaeDuZBh9WU/s1824/414355167_7219639891404803_4905932136231486030_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1824" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqrJBB4fW4A-y0NQKanemLqVlxZG0yFvIJkdAqzg3eaKlEB0zWXynpYv-IlztArtTJE-n-wHic5SyC7ZOkre33F7x7_RiQSWTRYYrJVK5o7LzcPhtSqhdJDp1wtgfcmcdPzO-QLI4O2xgKPgx8xBr20pXEuPsY6C9kPK5_fSglmikJTYXgaeDuZBh9WU/w640-h442/414355167_7219639891404803_4905932136231486030_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Day morning. Early start in the dark</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReK25xv2OxDHVT0f1f1oosha8qzls_PLALrDYqtqqx8riYC0ObnGikCWAgZpuGjN2fU3jILzg-L2-R06g2unVDaxXXcG3953Q41EzzWY6QLsV8f7p0kr-usfb8dEIK_rWv_mjBKNKCChHZ5fg4nOAd0DQFNzjNpaGfCje0E8bTaXXPYl8a8UNJksvm0M/s1824/414361080_7219639701404822_3620434854089856619_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1824" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReK25xv2OxDHVT0f1f1oosha8qzls_PLALrDYqtqqx8riYC0ObnGikCWAgZpuGjN2fU3jILzg-L2-R06g2unVDaxXXcG3953Q41EzzWY6QLsV8f7p0kr-usfb8dEIK_rWv_mjBKNKCChHZ5fg4nOAd0DQFNzjNpaGfCje0E8bTaXXPYl8a8UNJksvm0M/w640-h408/414361080_7219639701404822_3620434854089856619_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best of the sunrise colours</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjn3eQMKgAPuVrZkUOkDs1M4q70cXYrBBkCjmIiFd-BG_NYZ_gNub4EiAwN0qPn4ZZDlguVjS4Cg5BK9RrAA736aKo_iNNOm3paWz7mODc6904yDlcc6tmyb6Vr_17rXgzac5mTyQ3gcH2yPcLXS0ttFbVi25ov_oK8mrPdik0HicV2blb6RC7CLhW3c/s2048/414331105_7219640078071451_4749518285636734930_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjn3eQMKgAPuVrZkUOkDs1M4q70cXYrBBkCjmIiFd-BG_NYZ_gNub4EiAwN0qPn4ZZDlguVjS4Cg5BK9RrAA736aKo_iNNOm3paWz7mODc6904yDlcc6tmyb6Vr_17rXgzac5mTyQ3gcH2yPcLXS0ttFbVi25ov_oK8mrPdik0HicV2blb6RC7CLhW3c/w640-h480/414331105_7219640078071451_4749518285636734930_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some ice but no snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>By lunchtime on Christmas day it started snowing in Aviemore. By dusk there was a decent snow covering in the garden. Through the night the steady fall of snow continued. With an excellent forecast on Boxing Day we set out again, on our regular hill as yesterdays walk. What a contrast in the conditions. From no snow at all yesterday to ankle deep snow in Aviemore on Boxing Day. Above 700m it was knee deep snow drifts. Yesterday it was a big clear path, less than 24 hours later deep snow. It was a stunning blue skies and sunshine day, glorious to be outdoors. Temperatures had dropped and although the breeze was only 20mph it felt cold once you stopped. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1lhCc2EcQ23f5tEFR89G3G8LyyJSgd1UsRAQWHmYUXeVZxW24cOLyBUQ1Q3DmMBZLuhNB7j83fHqiPRYcObkI01rm0UDaT8tgFLPt6S4ZnRESXrbEa5IybeCZmTv9iR2gZyzmlWHL64yx2YCxEL6pWT87inXi8dT3iJ5bR8qr0-8azH2u5CUJaNEsl8/s2048/414073688_7223613317674127_6388479944891624011_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1lhCc2EcQ23f5tEFR89G3G8LyyJSgd1UsRAQWHmYUXeVZxW24cOLyBUQ1Q3DmMBZLuhNB7j83fHqiPRYcObkI01rm0UDaT8tgFLPt6S4ZnRESXrbEa5IybeCZmTv9iR2gZyzmlWHL64yx2YCxEL6pWT87inXi8dT3iJ5bR8qr0-8azH2u5CUJaNEsl8/w480-h640/414073688_7223613317674127_6388479944891624011_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My walk up from Strathspey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQH9OL9V9_wY4rAY0gwHvM_alYfQ00NfJBuIXfMmi0Nyrn3dKujgJPlFKlmhmU3DnIa9OzTYvT4g0QY82FdHzl5mhHwUoY2ypwOtaiq6X9OauJiERjC4jXpqBjUh7m5l373AjSHogtzvPOj_kqNrvRH8dCiUTLTqvbjJSpgVSxSuZ4O_5Sj4VSFX-p-k/s2048/414040915_7223613517674107_4921964023790237681_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQH9OL9V9_wY4rAY0gwHvM_alYfQ00NfJBuIXfMmi0Nyrn3dKujgJPlFKlmhmU3DnIa9OzTYvT4g0QY82FdHzl5mhHwUoY2ypwOtaiq6X9OauJiERjC4jXpqBjUh7m5l373AjSHogtzvPOj_kqNrvRH8dCiUTLTqvbjJSpgVSxSuZ4O_5Sj4VSFX-p-k/w640-h480/414040915_7223613517674107_4921964023790237681_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The local Roe Deer in the Aviemore streets</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1dd3BvbMVny0iY9TNmSmbMYLl5SDgKBXE2LNOFOUt0IEa9qxDj35l1_AU3rzxcnH7wXhw78cYZOo5R7aFEAln4s8wK5wifppagKXaBwZ_HSeKF2yW0DyMwj9wbv2ZN63U3hu7U45Vh_VpAybw18choGAWsc2vEXEtg0HYjCFPB6SHlQzOKwztiYGwZI/s2048/414331791_7223612277674231_5799431812795504739_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1dd3BvbMVny0iY9TNmSmbMYLl5SDgKBXE2LNOFOUt0IEa9qxDj35l1_AU3rzxcnH7wXhw78cYZOo5R7aFEAln4s8wK5wifppagKXaBwZ_HSeKF2yW0DyMwj9wbv2ZN63U3hu7U45Vh_VpAybw18choGAWsc2vEXEtg0HYjCFPB6SHlQzOKwztiYGwZI/w640-h480/414331791_7223612277674231_5799431812795504739_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow drifts above 700m</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn6IylvQ1QRDzGnWu0VqvUov8j7CeEPVOQU8kV3351sjBZNGFwfz50ED4Vv_jLcyTRQkn9NLfvoUMMKBMd9rOKr9eKwG9FoHrAzaggSmy86RVJntvt_WZS_QLS6aFFapHycbsIF_rnK-vqBEKh4pDmHZ68CjH15bdtWG55Gc0oHkUV7GwsG7uqM79HrU/s2048/414322136_7223613094340816_2237436276925834329_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn6IylvQ1QRDzGnWu0VqvUov8j7CeEPVOQU8kV3351sjBZNGFwfz50ED4Vv_jLcyTRQkn9NLfvoUMMKBMd9rOKr9eKwG9FoHrAzaggSmy86RVJntvt_WZS_QLS6aFFapHycbsIF_rnK-vqBEKh4pDmHZ68CjH15bdtWG55Gc0oHkUV7GwsG7uqM79HrU/w480-h640/414322136_7223613094340816_2237436276925834329_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare tracks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZRlWkQOwWEvEdEfBJgGRLSET0mI8jgknC7XbV21jxLsuKLuFZ8hejExoUqfc-W_dUhM9lgSSGIwrpbaGwYTQzG4pIBsEAc_u8io25ixVW_oEHNU4IfWznqQ1rcVlE5xBOzMRY66XHx-m5pwyoyZAJipMKuZUj6mtwctGDO597W1WahQfdhj1Vy4HVjg/s2048/414353467_7223612547674204_3818049554490836196_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZRlWkQOwWEvEdEfBJgGRLSET0mI8jgknC7XbV21jxLsuKLuFZ8hejExoUqfc-W_dUhM9lgSSGIwrpbaGwYTQzG4pIBsEAc_u8io25ixVW_oEHNU4IfWznqQ1rcVlE5xBOzMRY66XHx-m5pwyoyZAJipMKuZUj6mtwctGDO597W1WahQfdhj1Vy4HVjg/w640-h480/414353467_7223612547674204_3818049554490836196_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knee deep drifts in places</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VGII9qvdE697HnYdpSjtUydyGCGflA5W7nYxfzov8BdTmWbVAeM2Fpy-UjJXaZvmW9QRb_GpnVnvi5Jl6SwH5aU0aujEGMeaMkbQux7NzZyno2Ib87TBIxJsU23CXc6PH5uHuKQTfLYMJrNEsUAJn9j3iIMIdN_Ta6SdMwk6euN1WouuQgw_nci6lkk/s2048/414346186_7223613714340754_4741046619962753815_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VGII9qvdE697HnYdpSjtUydyGCGflA5W7nYxfzov8BdTmWbVAeM2Fpy-UjJXaZvmW9QRb_GpnVnvi5Jl6SwH5aU0aujEGMeaMkbQux7NzZyno2Ib87TBIxJsU23CXc6PH5uHuKQTfLYMJrNEsUAJn9j3iIMIdN_Ta6SdMwk6euN1WouuQgw_nci6lkk/w640-h480/414346186_7223613714340754_4741046619962753815_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A complete contrast to yesterday!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9MNt9uv3AaoA-jhfIYw1P2C-H5ACLo9Ngi1zv2Ka-ElYEClE_3ue5u8BLaYvYrKlmnknA-tYj3lEihP2bRSr5su_zo2iLpWftAuSdHMjfo8mUVs1gT4Bqax5HoRsO47Jng9dz6LyvG4ZO8I4e5m0KPRnF55jjZOrzYFibXMDd_PpE5HQAm75grhdeEg/s4821/IP7A6703.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3214" data-original-width="4821" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9MNt9uv3AaoA-jhfIYw1P2C-H5ACLo9Ngi1zv2Ka-ElYEClE_3ue5u8BLaYvYrKlmnknA-tYj3lEihP2bRSr5su_zo2iLpWftAuSdHMjfo8mUVs1gT4Bqax5HoRsO47Jng9dz6LyvG4ZO8I4e5m0KPRnF55jjZOrzYFibXMDd_PpE5HQAm75grhdeEg/w640-h426/IP7A6703.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Grouse in the snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-f81eo1T_2NKb63-KEbesP46u2J3QlDNeNsVkg5opTXUi11qAJKs18YXsI-_9zL2CWY76IRUDTTqOiFqR7cn5V3Y_AfEGicovupCRMKq_71h0SDzAt7dDnhTLiPnT1aozLBe9W72DG33OSGAFJov781b1vhX0_TCFbKrOmrEAguUycGYeASCzjRh3rs/s6000/IP7A6748.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-f81eo1T_2NKb63-KEbesP46u2J3QlDNeNsVkg5opTXUi11qAJKs18YXsI-_9zL2CWY76IRUDTTqOiFqR7cn5V3Y_AfEGicovupCRMKq_71h0SDzAt7dDnhTLiPnT1aozLBe9W72DG33OSGAFJov781b1vhX0_TCFbKrOmrEAguUycGYeASCzjRh3rs/w640-h426/IP7A6748.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful end to the day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDp5hXQtKi_qIUxI22guqSMfMFYoWlWckVTgQMlB785JDZHYyE6nk9ZYRZJk_8ZLalg6d35zRG96gqgl4S3YOrlfnszHQgrbyBZmL4Xmgj112yLavbwlniHp5GeFGf_8Z5ZB2Vbv25o07pw_FK0conwJW01MgWO_5VVpH0pSbPpAfQueO8w0K9-bLfsSo/s6000/IP7A6739.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDp5hXQtKi_qIUxI22guqSMfMFYoWlWckVTgQMlB785JDZHYyE6nk9ZYRZJk_8ZLalg6d35zRG96gqgl4S3YOrlfnszHQgrbyBZmL4Xmgj112yLavbwlniHp5GeFGf_8Z5ZB2Vbv25o07pw_FK0conwJW01MgWO_5VVpH0pSbPpAfQueO8w0K9-bLfsSo/w640-h426/IP7A6739.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Northern Cairngorms & Strathspey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Pe_mAflzLMJOBbTxXdiktne-NOCDVpz3WGmZ1EkuYpOVuNI8WYbTPTPSKS6ZZ0UrGNRJGBw6hFbFG4ILRg_9DfmJ0lEA75KwEQ8nf55EU3fb1jf_fC7hSs2AaM8rtAMxBp735VI5-6Nhmqec08aVVSOuJAwbExyLdB-jRIZ5qFunJ-mGHpRf5bhjxRE/s2048/414088979_7223612904340835_4659536231474213645_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Pe_mAflzLMJOBbTxXdiktne-NOCDVpz3WGmZ1EkuYpOVuNI8WYbTPTPSKS6ZZ0UrGNRJGBw6hFbFG4ILRg_9DfmJ0lEA75KwEQ8nf55EU3fb1jf_fC7hSs2AaM8rtAMxBp735VI5-6Nhmqec08aVVSOuJAwbExyLdB-jRIZ5qFunJ-mGHpRf5bhjxRE/w640-h480/414088979_7223612904340835_4659536231474213645_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon descent and peaceful</td></tr></tbody></table>Today sees another change in the weather. High winds on the summit of Cairn Gorm, in excess of 100mph gusts. Down in Aviemore we have a mix of wet snow, sleet and rain. On the A9 it looks terrible conditions for travelling. Hopefully my clients will get through for their <a href="https://www.tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk/4-day-winter-skills-scotland.html" target="_blank">4 day winter skills course</a> with me starting tomorrow. <br /><p><br /></p>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-21375323867562679352023-12-23T14:35:00.003+00:002023-12-23T14:35:21.440+00:00USETTLED DECEMBER AFTER A GOOD START<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RCH6tCOgT3B0bnHDjkM08q3mFO7oJUAvcuzibRz4xTJYIAyuBVCd3JUPf8D2rF2B6kso1LHzn-4m_Tx9WuXACcGEohEjb-Lmx9-K6x-D2xnsYJRAo6UQbCPNQDcCqIIIPTuTIkVJnMrC4abAtIaj_2ErAZ2WGWPSki_uConvdlRld_wjDBNvdpWlok4/s5393/IP7A6599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3595" data-original-width="5393" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RCH6tCOgT3B0bnHDjkM08q3mFO7oJUAvcuzibRz4xTJYIAyuBVCd3JUPf8D2rF2B6kso1LHzn-4m_Tx9WuXACcGEohEjb-Lmx9-K6x-D2xnsYJRAo6UQbCPNQDcCqIIIPTuTIkVJnMrC4abAtIaj_2ErAZ2WGWPSki_uConvdlRld_wjDBNvdpWlok4/w640-h426/IP7A6599.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good day with the hares on 22nd December</td></tr></tbody></table>The second half of December has been quite unsettled with temperatures up and down like a yo-yo. The snow has had a similar theme, one day of good snow cover, next day almost wiped out. Wind is always a big feature in winter. It is interesting in all my years of guiding I will receive questions based on 'will there be snow when I come in......?' Yet I don't think any initial enquiries for winter courses folk ask me 'will there be a lot of wind?' Throughout the winter season I will always try and accommodate good weather with any particular booked date by my clients. I've swapped a few dates around recently for just this reason. In the case of mountain hare photography we need a calm spell, preferably with nice light. This was the case last week when return client Cheryl came out for another day to photograph our beautiful Mountain Hares.</p><p>I've had a few return groups recently It's great when folk want to come back for more!</p><p>Here's a selection of images over the last 10 days or so.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFaMGWCSrK6IxgDu30zGINpJHUwAcPDR7VWW9lJODj9lEuF58O1SraGrfc-qx87ft563lZ_Bl2B8YQKiDAZPs0-M19InaKs-jQgRbJAQuAafh44ZMuitKxI-knC__KaZGCVMx9v4x6rAXArIGm9SnLPHW4NCSIFDgVqK7Tmixn-T7CKFA1STEggs3zwk/s2048/409834955_7175820032453456_5735083985122257742_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1421" data-original-width="2048" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFaMGWCSrK6IxgDu30zGINpJHUwAcPDR7VWW9lJODj9lEuF58O1SraGrfc-qx87ft563lZ_Bl2B8YQKiDAZPs0-M19InaKs-jQgRbJAQuAafh44ZMuitKxI-knC__KaZGCVMx9v4x6rAXArIGm9SnLPHW4NCSIFDgVqK7Tmixn-T7CKFA1STEggs3zwk/w640-h444/409834955_7175820032453456_5735083985122257742_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheryl out on a Mountain Hare photography workshop, 13 December</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPXS9ptqr54DD6N613iXdDxRKDGUevCiNjPyTH5Sqth9gORZnBCol1pk-4ISbXOYF8VvRRqGfRciIDAcuRmFZpvzdZqtY-tuIdUO7XSReeA8EzlJzNKSc4ywbN5Ne6YTvYzC3v4e6JMEOiRGCQflVhx_tJ0rPQoTTmZ6-yeJpJHQDvB3O5SPvCBd8Tic/s2048/409808899_7175821092453350_5465530054821299864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPXS9ptqr54DD6N613iXdDxRKDGUevCiNjPyTH5Sqth9gORZnBCol1pk-4ISbXOYF8VvRRqGfRciIDAcuRmFZpvzdZqtY-tuIdUO7XSReeA8EzlJzNKSc4ywbN5Ne6YTvYzC3v4e6JMEOiRGCQflVhx_tJ0rPQoTTmZ6-yeJpJHQDvB3O5SPvCBd8Tic/w640-h480/409808899_7175821092453350_5465530054821299864_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temperature inversion</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmthVjvLhC19y30sztGilFfue1NeXFm2BI_TrIc6Kp6lKs3EzS1Gwe4uZ-rJJmGNhD8S-lRdzXtJjfL44-YglD5N972m0HsjIykFstKtoFkFbv0_7hP8t02nnsFslYZugukU8zlC7zmaRKbyXBpxFJqMTyKaJW5YlBgbT6Fn65i9F04T3Uv6rmH3WZzs/s2048/409833648_7175821722453287_2538487997239300103_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmthVjvLhC19y30sztGilFfue1NeXFm2BI_TrIc6Kp6lKs3EzS1Gwe4uZ-rJJmGNhD8S-lRdzXtJjfL44-YglD5N972m0HsjIykFstKtoFkFbv0_7hP8t02nnsFslYZugukU8zlC7zmaRKbyXBpxFJqMTyKaJW5YlBgbT6Fn65i9F04T3Uv6rmH3WZzs/w640-h480/409833648_7175821722453287_2538487997239300103_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fresh dusting of snow above 700m</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzn5k0cjCrGuIAvmIQ0W6ApDYpUTGG6VqjWXvXSIcBG2WgHcpHRTAPlndyI6d_6PpTyV0vF83PrDlK5H7CDGF8JjLYGLtv0LNCz1amqaORQZQzE1JmWfflyVTq4PeaHGPY_-fTkATwbHrfHviKYHlkn9c44N0xhCZkdFMkWTp0zXuUFzI2QiQd_tPkxc/s2048/409850799_7175820435786749_4130422615136648375_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzn5k0cjCrGuIAvmIQ0W6ApDYpUTGG6VqjWXvXSIcBG2WgHcpHRTAPlndyI6d_6PpTyV0vF83PrDlK5H7CDGF8JjLYGLtv0LNCz1amqaORQZQzE1JmWfflyVTq4PeaHGPY_-fTkATwbHrfHviKYHlkn9c44N0xhCZkdFMkWTp0zXuUFzI2QiQd_tPkxc/w640-h480/409850799_7175820435786749_4130422615136648375_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire an Lochain looking lovely</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Father and daughter team Colin and Suzy were out with me in January for two days. They booked another two days this December. I must be doing something right with all these return clients. Day 1 of their course we got into the sheltered coire. A forecast of winds increasing later in the afternoon. It was breezy high up but they did a great job and were still smiling. Good snow cover and below freezing high up. All change tomorrow!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjEfbEFkDtU2UlX8oktx9xsb5uyimEpjzoFnay4fKOl9m2y-VQx7JVqrSbqOushMGD12UAge8Tn_PnXqF-hgojDq4H69DilbKdNRhIPca5GnjuQ_ONkrCYWg-vOuwn_BR-R5Oj3jShiZNVxpII9L3m3uj5vj_ip-PtUdhCDgOuqI7GGbrGgLl2ASS3y8/s2048/409881252_7183495898352536_8901823092847290632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjEfbEFkDtU2UlX8oktx9xsb5uyimEpjzoFnay4fKOl9m2y-VQx7JVqrSbqOushMGD12UAge8Tn_PnXqF-hgojDq4H69DilbKdNRhIPca5GnjuQ_ONkrCYWg-vOuwn_BR-R5Oj3jShiZNVxpII9L3m3uj5vj_ip-PtUdhCDgOuqI7GGbrGgLl2ASS3y8/w640-h480/409881252_7183495898352536_8901823092847290632_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Father & Daughter team, Colin & Suzy, Sneachda 15 December</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_fvJU9A4BDtUU1v77apEcnLlwWzwuSoTDXquCOJ4FI-TRtaLp9AFz1fVpN7YIEEC_Ks_b7vqrot9IQILnQNEyxp335nUN5PYjScFgXF9Lt0qG9TYuVnr3UKXX-5zd9KYCcwQW72ujE0duMnQz_WN13azTDcpQKm3dHsWyA7KgudqM9A1gLRrsvl0dRs/s2048/409880764_7183495148352611_9154877767883966609_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_fvJU9A4BDtUU1v77apEcnLlwWzwuSoTDXquCOJ4FI-TRtaLp9AFz1fVpN7YIEEC_Ks_b7vqrot9IQILnQNEyxp335nUN5PYjScFgXF9Lt0qG9TYuVnr3UKXX-5zd9KYCcwQW72ujE0duMnQz_WN13azTDcpQKm3dHsWyA7KgudqM9A1gLRrsvl0dRs/w480-h640/409880764_7183495148352611_9154877767883966609_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheltered from the winds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw7DhB8d68-GOrk7Xaj_6HQa4q9_YiU0EKdvYsYpAb7u4G7dwxKDJOJxC6waj4Ocf2bEgvAcgFr8wDjzegJWrKIJuNQ9X6NJBVBVAOaATHpLqQeZnTOgn2uLwdqPrsGqwDOEwSRAkfaUHA1Q9ekSYImYcVXx6wIN3lxIYSWq-VYjwfG9JGJntcd95XC8/s2048/409874789_7183495298352596_8231068684627564758_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw7DhB8d68-GOrk7Xaj_6HQa4q9_YiU0EKdvYsYpAb7u4G7dwxKDJOJxC6waj4Ocf2bEgvAcgFr8wDjzegJWrKIJuNQ9X6NJBVBVAOaATHpLqQeZnTOgn2uLwdqPrsGqwDOEwSRAkfaUHA1Q9ekSYImYcVXx6wIN3lxIYSWq-VYjwfG9JGJntcd95XC8/w480-h640/409874789_7183495298352596_8231068684627564758_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice conditions</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD9Nwvh91idvTI7m9at5AVY3YlxUOQuuyLowGx9zopjNPLdjdGglybEyxoP6pQVzkCCJB7_wB-LhtckZAdqPpicQtyiYa3EwviqCJ61-orQ3haibnn4OHYFV932TphsQT3SNBYPt0T2AIVWsoKqizWq3k6CyLRhYcNHnFN8QxGuc2uPR_0BXa5V1llUU/s2048/409872379_7183496341685825_1522908217284862634_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD9Nwvh91idvTI7m9at5AVY3YlxUOQuuyLowGx9zopjNPLdjdGglybEyxoP6pQVzkCCJB7_wB-LhtckZAdqPpicQtyiYa3EwviqCJ61-orQ3haibnn4OHYFV932TphsQT3SNBYPt0T2AIVWsoKqizWq3k6CyLRhYcNHnFN8QxGuc2uPR_0BXa5V1llUU/w640-h480/409872379_7183496341685825_1522908217284862634_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire an t-sneachda unusually quiet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ntY4AGWdTk6VMM2slMUcxTDNdQ-JR91yJPYF3Z32i8q8Ty12KcHLlAnIitlrqMPbZPBSd05bkP7qv_iLCCfuAESgw8VMiqBwpOcMwzCA17fg8n7Xdqk9fSzpcGDM4WEV0lU4w-_Zaw6pyW4lBQjRo9-NYh86bB3e_BHQSfhvA-V-O5V935Y1Wtnbtdo/s2048/410196849_7183497068352419_1104601921493851723_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ntY4AGWdTk6VMM2slMUcxTDNdQ-JR91yJPYF3Z32i8q8Ty12KcHLlAnIitlrqMPbZPBSd05bkP7qv_iLCCfuAESgw8VMiqBwpOcMwzCA17fg8n7Xdqk9fSzpcGDM4WEV0lU4w-_Zaw6pyW4lBQjRo9-NYh86bB3e_BHQSfhvA-V-O5V935Y1Wtnbtdo/w480-h640/410196849_7183497068352419_1104601921493851723_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Below freezing above 900m</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSqJETgJs__tk8rL3-gxUBDBoAp-QUxFOIrMP8lPYHhUxRM-aDO31Bzuq6uQHL_VL6pUsClYktqEkr2NMXsrhVUXhur7q-JYjKsTsKdOfkcvcQtvGCdIZri81f_lDDWKHyYzv5XEhHFi-N7BR02eBd9rPG4Q9sSFakxn8xZ5_MZXtGcZ7AwFPCdQR87k/s2048/410202815_7183495751685884_1238512992397854182_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSqJETgJs__tk8rL3-gxUBDBoAp-QUxFOIrMP8lPYHhUxRM-aDO31Bzuq6uQHL_VL6pUsClYktqEkr2NMXsrhVUXhur7q-JYjKsTsKdOfkcvcQtvGCdIZri81f_lDDWKHyYzv5XEhHFi-N7BR02eBd9rPG4Q9sSFakxn8xZ5_MZXtGcZ7AwFPCdQR87k/w480-h640/410202815_7183495751685884_1238512992397854182_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaXiF6NRMbSmih4Xk6UMhHly3WMuOoRhy5IYoNaSbWosraJlTXu5ald4RLj_MkBqx08tUXGCkDS7hKsGIfe5zxx-Kss_2njHF_CzRdKfiwCRb1q-RDZWwW7nd1t1JK8PBiP_o1NOLmMjqXRtkCcHmHt7Yc1OhXch3WFgR9x7hojnexyBdKB0XfohWono/s2048/409883508_7183498021685657_1629012052319631144_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaXiF6NRMbSmih4Xk6UMhHly3WMuOoRhy5IYoNaSbWosraJlTXu5ald4RLj_MkBqx08tUXGCkDS7hKsGIfe5zxx-Kss_2njHF_CzRdKfiwCRb1q-RDZWwW7nd1t1JK8PBiP_o1NOLmMjqXRtkCcHmHt7Yc1OhXch3WFgR9x7hojnexyBdKB0XfohWono/w640-h480/409883508_7183498021685657_1629012052319631144_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back down after 70mph gusts</td></tr></tbody></table> With 80mph + winds were headed to the lower Monadhlith and had a day of essential navigation tuition. The no. 1 mountain 'skill'.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXeCXw_lTKsJuM5VLpt7TOiBfx42vj2UeHf9mwe2vqM4d5YCERxN2IPje_pmKx5dts_tIMc0phdUU707BcQTJ4_NoAJ-2hji_0GmESFU0NRJJ6bQ8Hzs6dLGhS_7yF0tcZRZPf9ezXN0xPIqGQU8PmOaFoeA-gzdsuyb0MouAERlBm0_NJ8uvmaq0ctY/s2048/410187740_7187568644611928_8826016760895789168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXeCXw_lTKsJuM5VLpt7TOiBfx42vj2UeHf9mwe2vqM4d5YCERxN2IPje_pmKx5dts_tIMc0phdUU707BcQTJ4_NoAJ-2hji_0GmESFU0NRJJ6bQ8Hzs6dLGhS_7yF0tcZRZPf9ezXN0xPIqGQU8PmOaFoeA-gzdsuyb0MouAERlBm0_NJ8uvmaq0ctY/w480-h640/410187740_7187568644611928_8826016760895789168_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essential map and compass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEBVtBIKHB_O2eg6kC6pGwxn-c0MjwJWR6vCedDOyVRwUyPy_vMO4w4m3FyjzcKawl2Nh5QROOmpdzeAfjJlbubeQDGIQlRyYcAThDlSVNwohCeyIYsZx58S-T3MsKZU_7n47wHxkrlCEeSvnNhS4oKLopRf1Qb71_qRJZ516q4OKuLLaTHJl_EcDEtY/s2048/412078311_7187568491278610_104057865668396591_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEBVtBIKHB_O2eg6kC6pGwxn-c0MjwJWR6vCedDOyVRwUyPy_vMO4w4m3FyjzcKawl2Nh5QROOmpdzeAfjJlbubeQDGIQlRyYcAThDlSVNwohCeyIYsZx58S-T3MsKZU_7n47wHxkrlCEeSvnNhS4oKLopRf1Qb71_qRJZ516q4OKuLLaTHJl_EcDEtY/w640-h480/412078311_7187568491278610_104057865668396591_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No snow at 700m but excellent, featureless terrain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsmP1XWJ78o-kG-HmRbK5Y_i0l2cHNyIjpw367XZPhUvE99-it6B4EhPKovIsrMcBRCxF0KfvMYVYviF8pCMe86Y9U5B6zLFGLXghyjFjjxcUJ5OGq4CvAi4tvhOJWv-iLwPxS9ZEdHrrooxvkzX_FwWkxEac55gJ58hymCarPMspBrLbuhaY6lJr7qg/s2048/410167378_7187569007945225_6867537748347139503_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsmP1XWJ78o-kG-HmRbK5Y_i0l2cHNyIjpw367XZPhUvE99-it6B4EhPKovIsrMcBRCxF0KfvMYVYviF8pCMe86Y9U5B6zLFGLXghyjFjjxcUJ5OGq4CvAi4tvhOJWv-iLwPxS9ZEdHrrooxvkzX_FwWkxEac55gJ58hymCarPMspBrLbuhaY6lJr7qg/w640-h480/410167378_7187569007945225_6867537748347139503_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and we could stand up straight</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>On Wednesday 20th December I was out with another two return clients. Brogan & Richard were out in the Cairngorms on a 1 day intro to winter course last December. They are the only workforce in their small architecture company based in Newcastle. Instead of a Christmas 'night out' they would rather have a Chrimbo 'Day out' on the mountains. Quite right! This years staff day out they fancied a guided day to see what the west coast mountains are like in winter. They were keen to have a crack at the fabulous CMD arete and Ben Nevis. Unfortunately the weather (as always) dictates what is achievable in the mountains this time of year. The west coast mountains have not had much in the way of proper winter conditions so far this season, unlike the Cairngorms where we have enjoyed many full winter condition days in November and December. With winds forecast 50-60mph on the summits it was a no brainer to try and tackle the arete. So we opted for a day to venture into The Ben's North Face where we would be sheltered from the SW winds and cover some essential skills. There was some snow above 900m overnight but this rapidly disappeared. Heavy rain and a strong wind made the day a miserable outing. But we were treated to a cuppa around the cosy<a href="https://www.smc.org.uk/hut/1" target="_blank"> CIC Hut</a>s' fire by the kind <a href="https://www.sais.gov.uk/lochaber/" target="_blank">SAIS avalanche folk</a> who were spending a couple of nights in the cosy hut whilst doing their avalanche forecasting on the Ben. It was very sociable, I've bumped into Di a couple of times and there was also a couple of climbers who joined in with the mid morning drinks, one of whom I also know from a 1st aid course I was on. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpZCP1KaV8jEZeeltwQzP7D_NRXCcxEBF0b4VVB2uJYa1eRCaVeJVOjPn1Xr0GTF0FnfgBhX8GQOuyFR7tDlsEHNvKJ-dtV35VSlzTVTj2mWUDs8hbn7DUt2Ma2y0A6BQmFod-8NuPBCSeZiUADlNfaczNTqXUZCk6Z4JVuHK_0NzMuYF86vWCzNzjB0/s2048/412001693_7202666269768832_1050728914106045821_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpZCP1KaV8jEZeeltwQzP7D_NRXCcxEBF0b4VVB2uJYa1eRCaVeJVOjPn1Xr0GTF0FnfgBhX8GQOuyFR7tDlsEHNvKJ-dtV35VSlzTVTj2mWUDs8hbn7DUt2Ma2y0A6BQmFod-8NuPBCSeZiUADlNfaczNTqXUZCk6Z4JVuHK_0NzMuYF86vWCzNzjB0/w480-h640/412001693_7202666269768832_1050728914106045821_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up for inspiration and snow!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnU3koljFUl1Gl4mxVJTKIqsLG-vN_gca0lyR8gRt2nJoEeKjOEfq1SOwJ9Gc8KEk-9jNswu899xIHYlNqUk4N35Nx3AQUN2Lv_Rlg0JxoPMk6SxlFOlxY5kM-M_66lCWb-LsvnMkd0BO9ddXLIRad4Q2D0txs8ciYUUdlK-E5wOeQn6vD92CCJ48LGQ/s2048/411984144_7202670819768377_2293640337112281346_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnU3koljFUl1Gl4mxVJTKIqsLG-vN_gca0lyR8gRt2nJoEeKjOEfq1SOwJ9Gc8KEk-9jNswu899xIHYlNqUk4N35Nx3AQUN2Lv_Rlg0JxoPMk6SxlFOlxY5kM-M_66lCWb-LsvnMkd0BO9ddXLIRad4Q2D0txs8ciYUUdlK-E5wOeQn6vD92CCJ48LGQ/w640-h480/411984144_7202670819768377_2293640337112281346_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of water</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQigHV-H7F7fdvIBS3_9wnpV8L7E962LfWf141pHH6OQqgzrsUJue0g3RdYZ2PcxFyNHhiBZn2y5egkTAVrTm7MXfoeMVQnvRMTWODixiFYwd2o8xrGv6qwVljRzzYH5jx2LJnGvA4xTG43ieg6jP8JxmQfXwwqWUH06NOoR9AKEZ9u9wyQk0IYV6neA/s2048/412071196_7202668636435262_3141327694129639237_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQigHV-H7F7fdvIBS3_9wnpV8L7E962LfWf141pHH6OQqgzrsUJue0g3RdYZ2PcxFyNHhiBZn2y5egkTAVrTm7MXfoeMVQnvRMTWODixiFYwd2o8xrGv6qwVljRzzYH5jx2LJnGvA4xTG43ieg6jP8JxmQfXwwqWUH06NOoR9AKEZ9u9wyQk0IYV6neA/w640-h480/412071196_7202668636435262_3141327694129639237_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuppa at the CIC hut and a roaring fire!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMOOCDCV3eBALAfbjhl6HzoVA8MM0B_V5izWkZXN9muOhcCOekRPRoMtOU38oBtpBcdfy_xfQ_WgRB3VcG2lBFfsnOpTwK-uKgfg9kouQbcLsFXq3CNFryQMbeqy5CAsK2V3c30nTSvhnSMMNO_9ThyphenhyphenD2rgpW3-0vsGp6h7RpUsIxL3LW6Qzi6jf9-Hw/s2048/411998624_7202671063101686_7532593620102418402_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMOOCDCV3eBALAfbjhl6HzoVA8MM0B_V5izWkZXN9muOhcCOekRPRoMtOU38oBtpBcdfy_xfQ_WgRB3VcG2lBFfsnOpTwK-uKgfg9kouQbcLsFXq3CNFryQMbeqy5CAsK2V3c30nTSvhnSMMNO_9ThyphenhyphenD2rgpW3-0vsGp6h7RpUsIxL3LW6Qzi6jf9-Hw/w640-h480/411998624_7202671063101686_7532593620102418402_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much snow in the Ciste Coire</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSI5FCC2iA7qnxAiGSNalA0y7hUE7nOZ5lbwHYV6ejBRBOpFogSIkcQrhko_4wOp64kU9tqMMBmXS93sOU6QP4F3S8BZ7fYjxqToBl8SSGk5s0uE2unqM_KAEjTza_XlLMzTO0kNFboJnBwsnvg8j3oKSqmlR7o2ZPCqQIGmARdTz6RlYoib4H6-YBrE8/s2048/412061381_7202667656435360_8367822066489953111_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSI5FCC2iA7qnxAiGSNalA0y7hUE7nOZ5lbwHYV6ejBRBOpFogSIkcQrhko_4wOp64kU9tqMMBmXS93sOU6QP4F3S8BZ7fYjxqToBl8SSGk5s0uE2unqM_KAEjTza_XlLMzTO0kNFboJnBwsnvg8j3oKSqmlR7o2ZPCqQIGmARdTz6RlYoib4H6-YBrE8/w640-h480/412061381_7202667656435360_8367822066489953111_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CIC hut below Carn Mor Dearg</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Back home in the Cairngorms and the temperature (and winds) on the rise. I had a last minute decision to head out up the hill and see what conditions were like for photography. I was glad I did. I found my wonderful Mo Charaid ( My Friend) again for the first time this season. This friendly wee mountain hare I ave had the pleasure to photograph the last two winter and Spring seasons. For some reason he only visit this part of the hill in winter. Why? I wish I could answer. Maybe he comes to find a lady friend? Instead he just sits with me for hours on end. I must have sat through endless amount of days and hours with this wee guy over the 2 year period. It was a very challenging day. I got soaked with rain on the bike ride from my house to the foot of the hill. The rain turned to snow at 500m, a welcome sight. The winds were strong above 600. With high winds, low temperatures and snow blowing into the lens it was definitely challenging. But it was worth every second of struggle for the two and a half hours I spent with Mo Charaid.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtmZwLOMkWmuLYlX_nsMTyoH19tSJC28x7oenFrHiPjBFJPa1KrkCmR6xGDd8OkZ87KwpLW3e5VNntspcOjhuFvo0rwPjkAOR7rhyhZgKeUgC_XfCWs5UXNxzd1JFhVlHUSO69DhCbJo6WDUds5Sd8H1ecvZH8OD26EhVc-o_ev2T5RgLvZHNBfLADuc/s4883/IP7A6598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3255" data-original-width="4883" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtmZwLOMkWmuLYlX_nsMTyoH19tSJC28x7oenFrHiPjBFJPa1KrkCmR6xGDd8OkZ87KwpLW3e5VNntspcOjhuFvo0rwPjkAOR7rhyhZgKeUgC_XfCWs5UXNxzd1JFhVlHUSO69DhCbJo6WDUds5Sd8H1ecvZH8OD26EhVc-o_ev2T5RgLvZHNBfLADuc/w640-h426/IP7A6598.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB2CswYvuaI6ONxgDiMpeE8lWcmgM0IoZJhNcRD8YYKNwUDcl0VIXx-a3bISk3y9xAecBEgQjcYAO5ShaT1hG0WyJWvoH-hkcsEpqvoJ9hYEO3dJ-hT7DdrjRUFTMeNMXK9Dip4nkbcVUICEAms7R5NdDaAQNum53LhzUVcH2g3Z6H1vq0I4KMV1ii1E/s5548/IP7A6633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3699" data-original-width="5548" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB2CswYvuaI6ONxgDiMpeE8lWcmgM0IoZJhNcRD8YYKNwUDcl0VIXx-a3bISk3y9xAecBEgQjcYAO5ShaT1hG0WyJWvoH-hkcsEpqvoJ9hYEO3dJ-hT7DdrjRUFTMeNMXK9Dip4nkbcVUICEAms7R5NdDaAQNum53LhzUVcH2g3Z6H1vq0I4KMV1ii1E/w640-h426/IP7A6633.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4j3bbHVmorlBBfLxLrh_X5yQ7LqLrBq_IlVtKYUvZxZAUZN3kceGNgKPrNc6_EdqGdXFFS1KpimTaFZiOYZYJ7s3ibajMAEmwKBOgpbkBvogWoJ_ysmsLTaEyUc_m3A2KsMJR4Pml9uIFxwqyspf96Wm6PhrbdycwLx5-SgB1Hcxi7HE8jLYB68TdCI/s5036/IP7A6578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3357" data-original-width="5036" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4j3bbHVmorlBBfLxLrh_X5yQ7LqLrBq_IlVtKYUvZxZAUZN3kceGNgKPrNc6_EdqGdXFFS1KpimTaFZiOYZYJ7s3ibajMAEmwKBOgpbkBvogWoJ_ysmsLTaEyUc_m3A2KsMJR4Pml9uIFxwqyspf96Wm6PhrbdycwLx5-SgB1Hcxi7HE8jLYB68TdCI/w640-h426/IP7A6578.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMogDMFe6yJEaCvYkawXChdd_vpkIrSSCH1bygJKtFDXDewIaFA5WVIcC5w6-_IGtQZDqxSghKOedXtC4t92rZXfXaiYuSx4GSKA22ye2ZSeS08AsEIB7Xso0kf2vsCmmD4vF4P89GzFywOgzv4qRv6UMhCBfz4xp1HIEJxGtzbZCB9kBQOnC0ycvxxw/s5274/IP7A6593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3516" data-original-width="5274" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMogDMFe6yJEaCvYkawXChdd_vpkIrSSCH1bygJKtFDXDewIaFA5WVIcC5w6-_IGtQZDqxSghKOedXtC4t92rZXfXaiYuSx4GSKA22ye2ZSeS08AsEIB7Xso0kf2vsCmmD4vF4P89GzFywOgzv4qRv6UMhCBfz4xp1HIEJxGtzbZCB9kBQOnC0ycvxxw/w640-h426/IP7A6593.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw02e_ijH0GUGZ6UPVY6skpeDKfR3qlFV65DOrnUc7u9DOAJZxX8UHzd2h27jpSVZS_rKyJ6WfDegLzJqLoER0JOQKBP-1s6CNAFsd97xdOaGDRW_Dt2omMXtbcnVkKThYjhlf13ZFlrh8qkyfnnQPvOmufCciyo4qsg3cFzoWL16AXVjiG1ZbuMqztg/s5406/IP7A6625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3604" data-original-width="5406" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw02e_ijH0GUGZ6UPVY6skpeDKfR3qlFV65DOrnUc7u9DOAJZxX8UHzd2h27jpSVZS_rKyJ6WfDegLzJqLoER0JOQKBP-1s6CNAFsd97xdOaGDRW_Dt2omMXtbcnVkKThYjhlf13ZFlrh8qkyfnnQPvOmufCciyo4qsg3cFzoWL16AXVjiG1ZbuMqztg/w640-h426/IP7A6625.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The snow has landed again here in Aviemore today. With rapidly rising temperatures it will be turning to rain. Here's hoping for some colder conditions over Christmas period. Along with calmer conditions!</p><p>A very Merry Christmas to all my clients and followers.</p>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-38847371910462538022023-12-09T15:09:00.002+00:002023-12-09T15:11:57.270+00:00COLD AND LOTS OF SNOW TO LOW LEVELS<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mS8FdJC6w12M44uxlreGii6Zadu6x7n-AqRb3RCod3MsX9gaI7SIyZwVb7SZA9ozygr4FNJGBFoPYXo4U7supnXAiFaMnEOJBIzOXC2gJ8P50bqrorEVxi5pVdVWCk87sl2DgVWD8-EYLL96Cz0GeBwRy2i3LhumhW1L5xok2BiCBKXyUmS9y6xl6tY/s6000/IP7A5945.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mS8FdJC6w12M44uxlreGii6Zadu6x7n-AqRb3RCod3MsX9gaI7SIyZwVb7SZA9ozygr4FNJGBFoPYXo4U7supnXAiFaMnEOJBIzOXC2gJ8P50bqrorEVxi5pVdVWCk87sl2DgVWD8-EYLL96Cz0GeBwRy2i3LhumhW1L5xok2BiCBKXyUmS9y6xl6tY/w640-h426/IP7A5945.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the mountain hare, 5 December</td></tr></tbody></table>It's been a very fine period of winter conditions over the last week or so. The start of December we had constant snow falling on the hills and down to lower levels. The first snows to land in the garden back toward the end of November. Some of the coldest days (and nights) so far this season was last weekend. The mercury going down to minus 11 C in the glens. We've had some temperature inversions, some completely windless and cloudless days and I managed to get a fabulous day out to Inchkeith in the Firth of Forth to monitor, record and photograph the beautiful Grey Seal Pups. Along the way I have been running Mountain Hare Photography days, winter guiding days and out in the wind. It was gusting to over 100mph on Cairn Gorm last Thirsday. The last couple of days the cloud and wind has returned along with a thaw at lower levels. But don't be fooled. It's still winter on the high Cairngorms. Goggles, map and compass essential yesterday. <p></p><p>Here's just a few of the images from 28th November - 8 December.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinx1F3yy4CxW5PHwjTgTa4xqF4f6fOY9m3drlarxo4u5bLPDCOam0U8JR-jkM9wdkI0qs96Rgx9-rJKhy-BpI4ecLlIpxwHiBWsqy0zvyDWMAO5st-MM0rmrpyRN-713JDL71OUSk2amlhiYsUkiaH3F_86uozxUXA3SNUw0dI2-mPSgbyQugVv6CVr8E/s2048/406915497_7127208707314589_2068078551830931500_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinx1F3yy4CxW5PHwjTgTa4xqF4f6fOY9m3drlarxo4u5bLPDCOam0U8JR-jkM9wdkI0qs96Rgx9-rJKhy-BpI4ecLlIpxwHiBWsqy0zvyDWMAO5st-MM0rmrpyRN-713JDL71OUSk2amlhiYsUkiaH3F_86uozxUXA3SNUw0dI2-mPSgbyQugVv6CVr8E/w640-h480/406915497_7127208707314589_2068078551830931500_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First snows down in Strathspey, end of November</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ldrTBd7XS12x0fbWectLmTBF4mcP1A5_Mmq-Co6CH3PSXBX4da9WfmShyZK5afJtvl74IWKBv0F3NQLVu_t7z8NlilyYGIQkl2E6rbP1TNVKXebsAp7KBnb2_rFj7YcwzUDYH5gX2OzlBMvBphBIe0yrAnE7spCquDC_5w-lpWV-JIVgWiPkPrGK1js/s2048/406558498_7127319090636884_3300320667882056832_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ldrTBd7XS12x0fbWectLmTBF4mcP1A5_Mmq-Co6CH3PSXBX4da9WfmShyZK5afJtvl74IWKBv0F3NQLVu_t7z8NlilyYGIQkl2E6rbP1TNVKXebsAp7KBnb2_rFj7YcwzUDYH5gX2OzlBMvBphBIe0yrAnE7spCquDC_5w-lpWV-JIVgWiPkPrGK1js/w640-h426/406558498_7127319090636884_3300320667882056832_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Robin on the snow this season in our garden</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiu09mitYIZovFRR9bByjYEHxIZrmR3Y69mqBDWCBT5WhfnqORsiUwA0fPc0o4cOznDsezmAIrqFsOmopQBVfYN3owsSUYbSRlKWRHnSG7LVMG0lCO_iKBVklWtnIhgS7ghDbM3Y77o-4l5r7c8t7Ttg0Z2Jlo-PFbOdT87eYfUWB6ChKVde4cp0ST7r0/s2048/406890699_7127208510647942_3553092389877253112_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiu09mitYIZovFRR9bByjYEHxIZrmR3Y69mqBDWCBT5WhfnqORsiUwA0fPc0o4cOznDsezmAIrqFsOmopQBVfYN3owsSUYbSRlKWRHnSG7LVMG0lCO_iKBVklWtnIhgS7ghDbM3Y77o-4l5r7c8t7Ttg0Z2Jlo-PFbOdT87eYfUWB6ChKVde4cp0ST7r0/w640-h480/406890699_7127208510647942_3553092389877253112_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty trees, Aviemore</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB16Vxnd84q4TaO6HlgstHRW8t1xG8t-LsDmMDnX-3rAZdnp7OZyI3o32PigLvu1NWHHWKVI66z4b5vV_nPbUA9sq4cjWl9WTwryGdygGfEKtBxZjSvqA2alcwmtQnJhx8p-EVH9rpwVmXdHyMOkAVkVi85Ab-7TxH4w8Xc6JhglEWAn94jBeH7R5i5Hk/s2048/408626468_7149896088379184_7477694580488609618_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB16Vxnd84q4TaO6HlgstHRW8t1xG8t-LsDmMDnX-3rAZdnp7OZyI3o32PigLvu1NWHHWKVI66z4b5vV_nPbUA9sq4cjWl9WTwryGdygGfEKtBxZjSvqA2alcwmtQnJhx8p-EVH9rpwVmXdHyMOkAVkVi85Ab-7TxH4w8Xc6JhglEWAn94jBeH7R5i5Hk/w640-h480/408626468_7149896088379184_7477694580488609618_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold and clear</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKB_i_1OUmCKXF3RdKZgzcINIn8lrKJNypfDqd4p7CUSjOaIbmtyUMpBELO20iuNRzyPpGB6MtP44FpuaQGaY8FWuMl-zZMOc68kOFJXfRIwXlUveyD70vAM7iPxcAcE0vsEAJz1l-3DJdr0b-VBc0RmhxDPlf6WeU3uG_VWhXZvy5EcnDRXVEQjHxek/s2048/406895473_7137748892927237_7243835178748764428_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKB_i_1OUmCKXF3RdKZgzcINIn8lrKJNypfDqd4p7CUSjOaIbmtyUMpBELO20iuNRzyPpGB6MtP44FpuaQGaY8FWuMl-zZMOc68kOFJXfRIwXlUveyD70vAM7iPxcAcE0vsEAJz1l-3DJdr0b-VBc0RmhxDPlf6WeU3uG_VWhXZvy5EcnDRXVEQjHxek/w640-h480/406895473_7137748892927237_7243835178748764428_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chartered boat out to Inchkeith</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uollvWqJ7hkiL4dmf1WeNQHKO2J5JMv0_t4FwO4VXqwOcnZ1rLyNn8slRrqOPI_gENytYkRgpTgtUv3bs4LfFlz9r1XZwLi2umkPslbMdVkolzkyL95M45TNUpMm8dfFerSn7Fu2dSgIdqaefoDkj8F-9Rni2f1fTSEpreuXBB0iuOKZ5_BI6Bs0gbY/s2048/407213987_7137747272927399_1024567457801910797_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uollvWqJ7hkiL4dmf1WeNQHKO2J5JMv0_t4FwO4VXqwOcnZ1rLyNn8slRrqOPI_gENytYkRgpTgtUv3bs4LfFlz9r1XZwLi2umkPslbMdVkolzkyL95M45TNUpMm8dfFerSn7Fu2dSgIdqaefoDkj8F-9Rni2f1fTSEpreuXBB0iuOKZ5_BI6Bs0gbY/w640-h480/407213987_7137747272927399_1024567457801910797_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only 20 humans on the island</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QVfe3rNa2bHlNJRV2nSPBOoNmptJPyj28hqNV6uRuTmqmix6VkRpeSNwYflK-9LLfsMfDFbX2qZXqO1hD6G-0mU0eLXKTPEpsz2pjSHPnzkkr6K2IhDG2JxR0cwBm2io17Va7xeXXypVU9R0sAgPVj4d2MWY-YJWxANXq5gwilqQF1ympAvhAUQdIXE/s2048/406894440_7137746999594093_8176666978078768778_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QVfe3rNa2bHlNJRV2nSPBOoNmptJPyj28hqNV6uRuTmqmix6VkRpeSNwYflK-9LLfsMfDFbX2qZXqO1hD6G-0mU0eLXKTPEpsz2pjSHPnzkkr6K2IhDG2JxR0cwBm2io17Va7xeXXypVU9R0sAgPVj4d2MWY-YJWxANXq5gwilqQF1ympAvhAUQdIXE/w640-h480/406894440_7137746999594093_8176666978078768778_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More seals than humans</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzGThzBH63MAgqr-3vFW-I0Ph0DGyRcJR-clyAmUCqHR9IHTy0VE0bEds_MfEJzmv-tHZKcV1BAmf50cC7GyHPDXYB5tvN1L4bvfKO7B-ZZ42LPrqCpiZjduhgPbLZ2NGDiX3CgHX9D0V439b8GrBs0Q0AfwnY7wzxc3uiF_OOpxp6UsEIjpgup3k2AM/s6000/IP7A5523.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzGThzBH63MAgqr-3vFW-I0Ph0DGyRcJR-clyAmUCqHR9IHTy0VE0bEds_MfEJzmv-tHZKcV1BAmf50cC7GyHPDXYB5tvN1L4bvfKO7B-ZZ42LPrqCpiZjduhgPbLZ2NGDiX3CgHX9D0V439b8GrBs0Q0AfwnY7wzxc3uiF_OOpxp6UsEIjpgup3k2AM/w640-h426/IP7A5523.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Seal Pup, Inchkeith</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGiA9aBgWhOAofiSkAP9vMQPKtRKdGcwomgu8RQ69tFmwwBT7W7gAi_CFRsyLDdWa2rg0_fQvdwpEtxuPm5GReP4YvN0l1sioA8lx4czLH1YqdqQ9MoPaxGSXEHWe_zFD2zO-EGEQlSf6A3S81hwqqPyHvjYPXkxrlOAY3UOky2XWDuq1E_8mAw0HIFE/s6000/IP7A5068.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGiA9aBgWhOAofiSkAP9vMQPKtRKdGcwomgu8RQ69tFmwwBT7W7gAi_CFRsyLDdWa2rg0_fQvdwpEtxuPm5GReP4YvN0l1sioA8lx4czLH1YqdqQ9MoPaxGSXEHWe_zFD2zO-EGEQlSf6A3S81hwqqPyHvjYPXkxrlOAY3UOky2XWDuq1E_8mAw0HIFE/w640-h426/IP7A5068.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those eyes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOf_7CB6MeQfAyZnU9w28qazGof35SDdTlv83ewATbHoYT-evp9P6PD9JWkpWnSsJL9skCW_w070K5-5amkC-rGvIVYIteDPa5jewJjvrqsck_158SjZQFMxOPLIHXeUlbwW4o87UIx7RXe4yBmrJhPa5AkYgcthfQRfx95qF_crDYkCHELe6J7C6EBw/s6000/IP7A5768.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOf_7CB6MeQfAyZnU9w28qazGof35SDdTlv83ewATbHoYT-evp9P6PD9JWkpWnSsJL9skCW_w070K5-5amkC-rGvIVYIteDPa5jewJjvrqsck_158SjZQFMxOPLIHXeUlbwW4o87UIx7RXe4yBmrJhPa5AkYgcthfQRfx95qF_crDYkCHELe6J7C6EBw/w640-h426/IP7A5768.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSx-fST2YLdVGWMd8etzLRjiErj9V2tH5nlrzbPrdQj7b-rkEiZ3wFXnonYPBxk4TpH5xIoBQgvgJK8D11vr8yvtKICz50V_FKKSY0L6lq2fCH2OPv85TB46nIlPYeBtWrThtUOLmmZS2FPQzxvG4Qtu5g0Is5MXWZX2cIE4sLCe74iW0E5vCPJXcCvvk/s6000/IP7A5703.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSx-fST2YLdVGWMd8etzLRjiErj9V2tH5nlrzbPrdQj7b-rkEiZ3wFXnonYPBxk4TpH5xIoBQgvgJK8D11vr8yvtKICz50V_FKKSY0L6lq2fCH2OPv85TB46nIlPYeBtWrThtUOLmmZS2FPQzxvG4Qtu5g0Is5MXWZX2cIE4sLCe74iW0E5vCPJXcCvvk/w640-h426/IP7A5703.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zT8E3gtEGw73XcNkTwrKuXXg1rJWa0E3kze2o06OZ0nrhSFBpbO4_n5CGqR8_NUYogii9c03UgUelHJWpnD_LapXrlIDZ6c-KJMp2hdDFsJSy9OplW1QoOeQVpnA3pxuNENckki8gPyxNQcn9rLVlIVCFRrj02ieT_D2L8eYLyvJkLJzo4ifYHPTKNE/s5469/IP7A5608.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3646" data-original-width="5469" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zT8E3gtEGw73XcNkTwrKuXXg1rJWa0E3kze2o06OZ0nrhSFBpbO4_n5CGqR8_NUYogii9c03UgUelHJWpnD_LapXrlIDZ6c-KJMp2hdDFsJSy9OplW1QoOeQVpnA3pxuNENckki8gPyxNQcn9rLVlIVCFRrj02ieT_D2L8eYLyvJkLJzo4ifYHPTKNE/w640-h426/IP7A5608.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAWs56AoxYIvomWi4B6hbiyQNWnyU7AC0JBXGPu_vdZmE5rwzBwt1EJqeoApYG6ZxKLB_y3eF9z_hyblKhoAN3nKjAwNJ1ZHtWfeztvHJSuRFLveiznNtgHe-6GfR8wEHzWOxPdsIrryEDaY-FhwwNXA1oT-1mVstvE4NehlhuNgFr23TDoVIWicVjn4/s5364/IP7A5782.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3576" data-original-width="5364" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAWs56AoxYIvomWi4B6hbiyQNWnyU7AC0JBXGPu_vdZmE5rwzBwt1EJqeoApYG6ZxKLB_y3eF9z_hyblKhoAN3nKjAwNJ1ZHtWfeztvHJSuRFLveiznNtgHe-6GfR8wEHzWOxPdsIrryEDaY-FhwwNXA1oT-1mVstvE4NehlhuNgFr23TDoVIWicVjn4/w640-h426/IP7A5782.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubWQz1lGOq8l-HeyCCHEe3RTm6vq-Uzm6j-UnQNXoaUy6QR6zqPTfKRtUqC_lf2He57Jbno_b8ceHDp9jZjjOGJx1JwPiqIvkruU9p5tlZiMOhg0KjWML23aRJrgu0aHbcCwnjA-N_voWUNgj8TMM7YpfubZIkThVZVOqIUKSpt2jLrTFycfgElwIy8A/s6000/IP7A5788.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubWQz1lGOq8l-HeyCCHEe3RTm6vq-Uzm6j-UnQNXoaUy6QR6zqPTfKRtUqC_lf2He57Jbno_b8ceHDp9jZjjOGJx1JwPiqIvkruU9p5tlZiMOhg0KjWML23aRJrgu0aHbcCwnjA-N_voWUNgj8TMM7YpfubZIkThVZVOqIUKSpt2jLrTFycfgElwIy8A/w640-h426/IP7A5788.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EOWmjvZyoN-jjawp5K01hdfjaPubqYM_kn40uw0TOKvMyLFMnum4plhKTgtkaKyMvTmNq8Z4o7u4ed2hURRaJiCHUn6tKWUHeE48qyxp9U4UJu0OohorkFxTKV6RRqabKIRdRIO1-BFUblkn68t-TOQgwaPFCsYCFVfvUMEIe1oXUT_8tp2UmIlOhOM/s2048/392790843_7149614495074010_961158799224841728_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EOWmjvZyoN-jjawp5K01hdfjaPubqYM_kn40uw0TOKvMyLFMnum4plhKTgtkaKyMvTmNq8Z4o7u4ed2hURRaJiCHUn6tKWUHeE48qyxp9U4UJu0OohorkFxTKV6RRqabKIRdRIO1-BFUblkn68t-TOQgwaPFCsYCFVfvUMEIe1oXUT_8tp2UmIlOhOM/w480-h640/392790843_7149614495074010_961158799224841728_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hare footprints in the drifting snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMo40q4gBoPtynSQ3YcxwJKJ0SCznxE5LCUdVtifJWtq0LLKaGyRcWMOk8DH2eryETWRR4CpI4GEaDN1_pRKfT_BopMU7bFNwFoSKogpjJfYoIKVm6M0UpxvU8iZMZNSo8wTyfNWI_YyxyUrWsjTOxkIz0dG87l2B2SDr3kRuvSagT_6LakK6MNj1ABVM/s2048/406982060_7146225782079548_6636219590991324603_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMo40q4gBoPtynSQ3YcxwJKJ0SCznxE5LCUdVtifJWtq0LLKaGyRcWMOk8DH2eryETWRR4CpI4GEaDN1_pRKfT_BopMU7bFNwFoSKogpjJfYoIKVm6M0UpxvU8iZMZNSo8wTyfNWI_YyxyUrWsjTOxkIz0dG87l2B2SDr3kRuvSagT_6LakK6MNj1ABVM/w480-h640/406982060_7146225782079548_6636219590991324603_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hare footprints in no wind</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQoy_eJ-Sv-AjG0Y81TGYHNzS5C26D5xn3wXfOqo1JDUpP4GVo_a29XPhGqNnlccmJhx0KToqQLFpdJ5TC25d3wiWqEZF1bEHCi8qf7HZVRlbeJI1H9WuNo5rHy06-A6R2kyE0Eu6MxF8kkZO98smwGMjkyo_bRPknFIi440FXJ2UcbajUdGus4MeZsE/s2048/406986600_7146224468746346_2603816650967560155_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQoy_eJ-Sv-AjG0Y81TGYHNzS5C26D5xn3wXfOqo1JDUpP4GVo_a29XPhGqNnlccmJhx0KToqQLFpdJ5TC25d3wiWqEZF1bEHCi8qf7HZVRlbeJI1H9WuNo5rHy06-A6R2kyE0Eu6MxF8kkZO98smwGMjkyo_bRPknFIi440FXJ2UcbajUdGus4MeZsE/w480-h640/406986600_7146224468746346_2603816650967560155_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenny out with me on a Wildlife photography day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnX5tm0TFIigAtzLrh7eEqSugINHX0on9w1MJC4NvguveqbPD7-poL-FwkboHOAEZQM5CrYYRan0mszF_1gHYocNvjUmp6WSnvMH2DfX1-XG3Iaz4QjhhFWdo030tu9cO3uaD0UXqsyKM3VbbSufFlGq5frMufpvhpmW7U3lQB7gZyxbFWr-AZG42ZWjw/s2048/406907138_7142122802489846_5049539291261592610_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnX5tm0TFIigAtzLrh7eEqSugINHX0on9w1MJC4NvguveqbPD7-poL-FwkboHOAEZQM5CrYYRan0mszF_1gHYocNvjUmp6WSnvMH2DfX1-XG3Iaz4QjhhFWdo030tu9cO3uaD0UXqsyKM3VbbSufFlGq5frMufpvhpmW7U3lQB7gZyxbFWr-AZG42ZWjw/w640-h480/406907138_7142122802489846_5049539291261592610_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful afternoon with no one around</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWqJAt9_euLl4APbgEq-OuYeY0GGIwnZq4WUrtZpU-IFQ4AxeXbsUVe7MYDo3hyMBttRpsU8VWrfaafp5cOCItjkyaG_wYdPvTM1Nbk5WEzLhpLJ9lc-PlLNf7cKPuKf4vtXHehg5ZWCAkhZxeycDudXVfwsl21j-90qijkR4_QNC8Vqc4kpkX-QnrcU/s2048/408739013_7149607131741413_4722719757754437498_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWqJAt9_euLl4APbgEq-OuYeY0GGIwnZq4WUrtZpU-IFQ4AxeXbsUVe7MYDo3hyMBttRpsU8VWrfaafp5cOCItjkyaG_wYdPvTM1Nbk5WEzLhpLJ9lc-PlLNf7cKPuKf4vtXHehg5ZWCAkhZxeycDudXVfwsl21j-90qijkR4_QNC8Vqc4kpkX-QnrcU/w640-h480/408739013_7149607131741413_4722719757754437498_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rime ice and drifting</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2jMsSERCKhglN71vAGNCNh71goTbQkg5dEKYAmVyZSHK3lBtbENDitQja6wdvAs5EwAItHg9Kcn7A_JCBK_sV4PnrRJYEnqCHZy5JdoEZyGchyphenhyphennkU2-cBIVag8h3g_htMNWhJ_RyzfF_jreGXCCEb-9F7y-5uNJRHXTEWqQUUQv_BaJEqcP4Ad0j17Y/s2048/406986096_7146225605412899_1417888396486799744_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2jMsSERCKhglN71vAGNCNh71goTbQkg5dEKYAmVyZSHK3lBtbENDitQja6wdvAs5EwAItHg9Kcn7A_JCBK_sV4PnrRJYEnqCHZy5JdoEZyGchyphenhyphennkU2-cBIVag8h3g_htMNWhJ_RyzfF_jreGXCCEb-9F7y-5uNJRHXTEWqQUUQv_BaJEqcP4Ad0j17Y/w640-h480/406986096_7146225605412899_1417888396486799744_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard walking with big cameras and deep snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijD8zrUmV-Fxew9-kL2m-iuaQmPQSg4JWjrAt1rEqGJMgUe60Bqq_sHpmeSnpUpalHUHc1z0CLVaHsVLtGE5laZ2lPfN6_mFYB0ntIB0yWuOpoCizxGMNmiMZ3J8GcWsFJuSs00eMNWxKL0eJImNMhP2pjG5Mmy5Ercd7GfhXbj_L0kazc8ZCEujfij5E/s4854/IP7A6008.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3236" data-original-width="4854" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijD8zrUmV-Fxew9-kL2m-iuaQmPQSg4JWjrAt1rEqGJMgUe60Bqq_sHpmeSnpUpalHUHc1z0CLVaHsVLtGE5laZ2lPfN6_mFYB0ntIB0yWuOpoCizxGMNmiMZ3J8GcWsFJuSs00eMNWxKL0eJImNMhP2pjG5Mmy5Ercd7GfhXbj_L0kazc8ZCEujfij5E/w640-h426/IP7A6008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But worth it for this</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61N33sHc_5lzWMuGXbS0QJJgMFKd4yUF8e_AP5MS3LrTWS5kUCLphtvEQNtspWAjOHwm8Cj0GegZQwl_4botEzkgKj98Bn7ArglpED5rEqueTWKOBNPozIm7kCinYivYejyIylwR0yNs9kFd1Ga1wlsdVJi31E1L8wa5xcghGbMy1qzaBaa2TcMbUJpc/s6000/IP7A5918.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61N33sHc_5lzWMuGXbS0QJJgMFKd4yUF8e_AP5MS3LrTWS5kUCLphtvEQNtspWAjOHwm8Cj0GegZQwl_4botEzkgKj98Bn7ArglpED5rEqueTWKOBNPozIm7kCinYivYejyIylwR0yNs9kFd1Ga1wlsdVJi31E1L8wa5xcghGbMy1qzaBaa2TcMbUJpc/w640-h426/IP7A5918.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_pZCG7oPD_zRn77MQ1jm6I3SNHJ4mDshGo4-bMbyH_KgPCK-8NRNXaBmqWXVxHrIuRfml4G5jDR3rYbuOU3xuAgbOAxJkAaZPVAfmug-5mMOhQA0K9ZQdOTeqUvlB_JqtQEFj6VxW-KGnoL3PeFnQrqoXLDDmaCVLgA164h4k3r3kFdsx_jWbKyyulw/s6000/IP7A6063.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_pZCG7oPD_zRn77MQ1jm6I3SNHJ4mDshGo4-bMbyH_KgPCK-8NRNXaBmqWXVxHrIuRfml4G5jDR3rYbuOU3xuAgbOAxJkAaZPVAfmug-5mMOhQA0K9ZQdOTeqUvlB_JqtQEFj6VxW-KGnoL3PeFnQrqoXLDDmaCVLgA164h4k3r3kFdsx_jWbKyyulw/w640-h426/IP7A6063.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn Gorm, 5th December</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTuWcoSTyS7znwYq3PP3UoWs6PbqLaSspqnHAFP4yBPwOXyWCTK0nLONvXPr4inz8cas_Sz0hn3z7WDr_JBD5ZfBhZz2LUwA7uvbzI5tkS_vM9mvQ44JQtWwx9sk0jwP4p8KfE3RV4xRv9U0ivJCZbueRkW0Rd12QsVDo8Z20zmzh51ggKiwfXTRM1c0/s5758/IP7A5975.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3839" data-original-width="5758" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTuWcoSTyS7znwYq3PP3UoWs6PbqLaSspqnHAFP4yBPwOXyWCTK0nLONvXPr4inz8cas_Sz0hn3z7WDr_JBD5ZfBhZz2LUwA7uvbzI5tkS_vM9mvQ44JQtWwx9sk0jwP4p8KfE3RV4xRv9U0ivJCZbueRkW0Rd12QsVDo8Z20zmzh51ggKiwfXTRM1c0/w640-h426/IP7A5975.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiacaill Coire Sneachda ridge, 5th December</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZvxHpN9QKUSfBFGpEfB9KcSIy3M5GUc2ctJrgpM-oR9BP1YEmYGXWSf4guMYpJjLndZtVVfKOMJdJgBeCdZUdb0Hb1q524qKPpuZymRUYR9M2vL1asHbTyTJk9woQeuTjzZtETuHUO6OqLINrL6gKrruLXbQ1WLbp2TmLw8R7QpHn0wsRm0L_RyXwpI/s2048/408714345_7157357837633009_19062617332645122_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZvxHpN9QKUSfBFGpEfB9KcSIy3M5GUc2ctJrgpM-oR9BP1YEmYGXWSf4guMYpJjLndZtVVfKOMJdJgBeCdZUdb0Hb1q524qKPpuZymRUYR9M2vL1asHbTyTJk9woQeuTjzZtETuHUO6OqLINrL6gKrruLXbQ1WLbp2TmLw8R7QpHn0wsRm0L_RyXwpI/w480-h640/408714345_7157357837633009_19062617332645122_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday 8th December, we needed this</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguCUjyMmthNmvD6rwDRXaqHz6mPnhH9kaD7QKsXlujqJeyb-q3Ag5_tdcBEDV0I6DI2tPIMCmz4x5wwBS0wrspeU-lVUB9Zrsual_kjuxrCopIRie5kTEpy1IA1EQoFcM6ZIk38_83sh4fI5atu6yx_pFF6ud1E0evtXCAyB1qOWUGvFU57RFRs3-_dU/s2048/408666095_7157357290966397_6094706111124848684_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguCUjyMmthNmvD6rwDRXaqHz6mPnhH9kaD7QKsXlujqJeyb-q3Ag5_tdcBEDV0I6DI2tPIMCmz4x5wwBS0wrspeU-lVUB9Zrsual_kjuxrCopIRie5kTEpy1IA1EQoFcM6ZIk38_83sh4fI5atu6yx_pFF6ud1E0evtXCAyB1qOWUGvFU57RFRs3-_dU/w640-h480/408666095_7157357290966397_6094706111124848684_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For this, Cairngorm Plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-9437311972215867642023-11-29T12:05:00.003+00:002023-12-09T14:38:41.022+00:00LOW SNOW, LOW TEMPERATURES<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g0rVCFqUbIO4tqQ_Vz-MCLUmgIwGPeWgDb4wJlKwNN8UJiHWXEExtp8JSjYbXtiMijQym3d4sI_30mUBb9dWBNQKSgSgDoSBptMIchxfPTntvUYJwBaiZ5We8DwEQMzssprXMOR4-cd5NR7dZyJw2yOOheiK6PGva8uP9huEDE5_44gl861p5m85zjM/s2048/405815763_7113009878734472_117355516497744497_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g0rVCFqUbIO4tqQ_Vz-MCLUmgIwGPeWgDb4wJlKwNN8UJiHWXEExtp8JSjYbXtiMijQym3d4sI_30mUBb9dWBNQKSgSgDoSBptMIchxfPTntvUYJwBaiZ5We8DwEQMzssprXMOR4-cd5NR7dZyJw2yOOheiK6PGva8uP9huEDE5_44gl861p5m85zjM/w640-h480/405815763_7113009878734472_117355516497744497_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cliffs of Coire an Lochain on Saturday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Out of the office window I am watching the first falls of snow down to Aviemore level this season. It has been a great November, up on the mountains. We've enjoyed many days of winter conditions. Now the temperatures are dropping and snow falling to lower levels. We've also had some cloud, wind and warmer spells in the hills, all quite normal in November. Overall, a brilliant start to the winter season. Snow and low temperatures forecast down in England and Wales usually gets folk thinking of winter courses. On Monday I had 5 winter course enquiries in the space of 12 hours! Thank you, thank you for choosing Tarmachan Mountaineering! A winter course in the Scottish Highlands will offer far more reliable conditions than south of the border, of course.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjXo08nu3jH8-5mpT-rhrU2Q4QPXPjqQuCQHk1GZE5Fs9vk4U8pcyiJFkcK4IGx53_VRaMJhKzpEOK7HDbxsjJj4knherbhq7PraZvs5hfWEGBSMi9fWL1nBsJ8FrmApfyVFq1UGqA4t_fn2ohBxB4b8yEg-ih3g8SBb55Yl4sVr9W3GWEzYclaO_5oM/s2048/405851114_7109634502405343_8248550605209262518_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjXo08nu3jH8-5mpT-rhrU2Q4QPXPjqQuCQHk1GZE5Fs9vk4U8pcyiJFkcK4IGx53_VRaMJhKzpEOK7HDbxsjJj4knherbhq7PraZvs5hfWEGBSMi9fWL1nBsJ8FrmApfyVFq1UGqA4t_fn2ohBxB4b8yEg-ih3g8SBb55Yl4sVr9W3GWEzYclaO_5oM/w640-h480/405851114_7109634502405343_8248550605209262518_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice covering of snow at 750m, Monadhliath</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_Ayvrl7ZCGMKOKx_B912gbFZmC0vyBDE-ucsJO6juIA76OR_gUeNtmz33QUbyMQHIQZZkwzTTBLQIdAYlYciG_pew-FVuA-BDY75_Z2i4FAjIJ81oz2I0XAs-bsEQzokrThLCJi2ypt-Pwq-usZR9ANpQkyG7YnynxSR7-T1tn4AOjLrZnY3EYUIRyc/s2048/405820282_7109633295738797_476531343093076597_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_Ayvrl7ZCGMKOKx_B912gbFZmC0vyBDE-ucsJO6juIA76OR_gUeNtmz33QUbyMQHIQZZkwzTTBLQIdAYlYciG_pew-FVuA-BDY75_Z2i4FAjIJ81oz2I0XAs-bsEQzokrThLCJi2ypt-Pwq-usZR9ANpQkyG7YnynxSR7-T1tn4AOjLrZnY3EYUIRyc/w480-h640/405820282_7109633295738797_476531343093076597_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain hare tracks, following there usual run in summer</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-ReZEAeBCYPM-7_0GEt1roFWxMcAju_ziolSQZyAtroH7sQ4AK49xQmxgneKOfo8ONZ4D35hVZZxNvu37p4k3NMly9d4H3yo2gAKiGf2UlztGWjkoWErfqA1emv-r_n2nORBKaFl-ow8tS8lhpURgNSZIt0hJpcmnyKEebJcmu2GKDF3cVoZATrykVc/s2048/404017936_7109634055738721_2570117691194860324_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-ReZEAeBCYPM-7_0GEt1roFWxMcAju_ziolSQZyAtroH7sQ4AK49xQmxgneKOfo8ONZ4D35hVZZxNvu37p4k3NMly9d4H3yo2gAKiGf2UlztGWjkoWErfqA1emv-r_n2nORBKaFl-ow8tS8lhpURgNSZIt0hJpcmnyKEebJcmu2GKDF3cVoZATrykVc/w640-h480/404017936_7109634055738721_2570117691194860324_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold, snowy and frosty at 700m</td></tr></tbody></table>On Saturday I went up to my usual place in the Monadhlith to see how the lovely mountain hares were getting on. Above 500m there was snow lying and some icy, frozen bare ground to lower levels too. The cloud hung about until mid day before some lovely winter sunshine peeped up above the clouds. I was over thr moon to spot 2 pairs of Ptarmigan at 820m. In the 10 years I have been to this particular hill and area I have never once seen Ptarmigan. Absolutely wonderful.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-3KCKlCF-NxJL30Z01BPJ__ZvhtlKAB-XXBx0HvQ77DAgCF84lvpj6Um6VlRk9PJMpkPXkDGG_WeEmyixzMi7HAXY1Q-YzhVPod0ROuDlFXJ37hDLYqm6DUzI8xTtVTO9TdQ3jIXdMtcOUI2FkisMO4VSBPHn__7sQlNo3b7A9y2OwhfY6JsKnqn97U/s5553/IP7A4763.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3702" data-original-width="5553" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-3KCKlCF-NxJL30Z01BPJ__ZvhtlKAB-XXBx0HvQ77DAgCF84lvpj6Um6VlRk9PJMpkPXkDGG_WeEmyixzMi7HAXY1Q-YzhVPod0ROuDlFXJ37hDLYqm6DUzI8xTtVTO9TdQ3jIXdMtcOUI2FkisMO4VSBPHn__7sQlNo3b7A9y2OwhfY6JsKnqn97U/w640-h426/IP7A4763.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tc3tMNS0yNCPSfHxuU8lDkAEpqiNYx2iQrBZ1CxvjBHH7qneuZwFfka5k-IivftJjFajb-gFgIx9LTJFqYI1rsq9rYaZqQuJFIAbgeAoJwrWuFsa_LdbqDGflsxLqRxujwR627hpJM-xDtHJoU7_rrO9iwxs5q5VRmyiC5mciS6nIHzPjeY5YQEiVZY/s6000/IP7A4774.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tc3tMNS0yNCPSfHxuU8lDkAEpqiNYx2iQrBZ1CxvjBHH7qneuZwFfka5k-IivftJjFajb-gFgIx9LTJFqYI1rsq9rYaZqQuJFIAbgeAoJwrWuFsa_LdbqDGflsxLqRxujwR627hpJM-xDtHJoU7_rrO9iwxs5q5VRmyiC5mciS6nIHzPjeY5YQEiVZY/w640-h426/IP7A4774.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOr-_-SJYAayekzoaicQjFTNtqxbKUOP94fd0e5F42T-2r85Urq68SGLXYhkJclITlYVE1sRAQODMkPnpTwmUqiV4Pab7tYtm27MstBQQr8NPP1BacRkly6QP9gOrUnwwoLZTSFqSa7Eod5zxaqXot8ZanWc3HO68Ww-nfLj7XdvJrSEOdH9tmpQYIdg/s5562/IP7A4752.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3708" data-original-width="5562" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOr-_-SJYAayekzoaicQjFTNtqxbKUOP94fd0e5F42T-2r85Urq68SGLXYhkJclITlYVE1sRAQODMkPnpTwmUqiV4Pab7tYtm27MstBQQr8NPP1BacRkly6QP9gOrUnwwoLZTSFqSa7Eod5zxaqXot8ZanWc3HO68Ww-nfLj7XdvJrSEOdH9tmpQYIdg/w640-h426/IP7A4752.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This area isn't ideal for ptarmigan as it is largely made up of heather moorland with only a few small places where there are rocks. So it was a real treat that they had landed here. I know every contour, peat hag and mounds of rock on this particular hillside. Definitely a first, unless they hid from me on a few occasions :) .</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpL4bVQDgzQEAsM8dx3wNBk6M6FwQmo38OoXsa-rN8jggh29ZTxNVSogXAvMC1YcWVGCmdwTqFv0CpHLbC02fnuVceEjh7ndxLluRFrKggHdTlJ_m2wCZfyyR6Vo9027WkJWhe6-TKz1vvkwFdhnN2SpZKSAg5zNjvpqju0q6Z8-6f32HLboWfTnkdySM/s4947/IP7A4766.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3298" data-original-width="4947" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpL4bVQDgzQEAsM8dx3wNBk6M6FwQmo38OoXsa-rN8jggh29ZTxNVSogXAvMC1YcWVGCmdwTqFv0CpHLbC02fnuVceEjh7ndxLluRFrKggHdTlJ_m2wCZfyyR6Vo9027WkJWhe6-TKz1vvkwFdhnN2SpZKSAg5zNjvpqju0q6Z8-6f32HLboWfTnkdySM/w640-h426/IP7A4766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIVevNuFzmzKenpyNl-m-Mk33LwkcpVccEldiJ3BNEccUThtB81PTZZwuOno299J8z3cFzQMCPFKpbivSLy-WdtmipwBrgPi5rCzMX6v8TBhFFYEnDbr3HgRdZaUv0prUdyPB6Y-TNw3DYXwBLbJDiyGY0piAAtHHLcSpU1tokhQ2B-6KOZehOsXT-I8/s5208/IP7A4760.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3472" data-original-width="5208" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIVevNuFzmzKenpyNl-m-Mk33LwkcpVccEldiJ3BNEccUThtB81PTZZwuOno299J8z3cFzQMCPFKpbivSLy-WdtmipwBrgPi5rCzMX6v8TBhFFYEnDbr3HgRdZaUv0prUdyPB6Y-TNw3DYXwBLbJDiyGY0piAAtHHLcSpU1tokhQ2B-6KOZehOsXT-I8/w640-h426/IP7A4760.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I spent a good 30 minutes with these 4 ptarmigan, just has the best of the days bright light made an appearance. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUx-qRPciz-pIDOfkDjrKGpHy2cPObJTFvpJo7tazeA1ZIriwe1sixNdQnF7PPK63tnok3GIRAcL5g45afP3g2qUls7xdiZUtxs2b-PyKkhtxUs7clxQP2yoPE-hwKDS8cGSrJYLT6SM_RKDtLAx5YCMhh6nyavHpGzv3EbSEPLEPfpidpCzZjt4IgfM/s6000/IP7A4653.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUx-qRPciz-pIDOfkDjrKGpHy2cPObJTFvpJo7tazeA1ZIriwe1sixNdQnF7PPK63tnok3GIRAcL5g45afP3g2qUls7xdiZUtxs2b-PyKkhtxUs7clxQP2yoPE-hwKDS8cGSrJYLT6SM_RKDtLAx5YCMhh6nyavHpGzv3EbSEPLEPfpidpCzZjt4IgfM/w640-h426/IP7A4653.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>On Sunday I headed up high to the Northern Cairngorms. A cracking day with beautiful clear skies. There were plenty of climbers enjoying the conditions on the crags of Coire an Lochain & Coire an t-sneachda.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcq6LDzYg1DHYE5A9ER0mk9WyYomW3e-uZ27uZurBDJNd3EDp7O57LMqk2bKUpq_WXu9q80XKz680gSttcH3Vm_AAIWA9HZ_0JK35kmRPIRrDVq5QDeJxvJXIA94EiSfhfZEVmK_3sswXLQayFtSXBGBo2o_c6NJOrXEwMSX-BTU_XTrhvKMZ9L4Lb7y4/s2048/405823489_7113010105401116_588418124424082189_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcq6LDzYg1DHYE5A9ER0mk9WyYomW3e-uZ27uZurBDJNd3EDp7O57LMqk2bKUpq_WXu9q80XKz680gSttcH3Vm_AAIWA9HZ_0JK35kmRPIRrDVq5QDeJxvJXIA94EiSfhfZEVmK_3sswXLQayFtSXBGBo2o_c6NJOrXEwMSX-BTU_XTrhvKMZ9L4Lb7y4/w640-h480/405823489_7113010105401116_588418124424082189_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rime iced rocks, looking over to Braeriach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwM0oGjm6oT1xKpQqXRhyphenhyphenF7OCZXC58H-1UPHe1-px6UHQyzpXzXiiIQoAfrnXoygnCkzCiB1aFnLvUXhvVqWorzS0vjjUUZmA3DR7S90Vr3UX7lmq0omlGQgsN5Qb_Hf5iZpl28h4D3oRIYDvXM8Gp4paSLj-kLjP1msAv7VwQ_ixNl4qKnL4RIl9Iv8/s2048/405830461_7113013775400749_3505624746979845739_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwM0oGjm6oT1xKpQqXRhyphenhyphenF7OCZXC58H-1UPHe1-px6UHQyzpXzXiiIQoAfrnXoygnCkzCiB1aFnLvUXhvVqWorzS0vjjUUZmA3DR7S90Vr3UX7lmq0omlGQgsN5Qb_Hf5iZpl28h4D3oRIYDvXM8Gp4paSLj-kLjP1msAv7VwQ_ixNl4qKnL4RIl9Iv8/w640-h480/405830461_7113013775400749_3505624746979845739_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top of The Couloir, Coire an Lochain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7O8qjp624QgIM5h9-RSncpN0dxOGY2Hh_9ADoIanV-vwBi6Gq-qdB_ljdYXqPkpQoFiUedV794OuCFA4mmgRoQbUzjb7Qws4H9VBztMvuIGUX_nDfQnRD98HKSVCjPVfO3x64wAP6FwxEBq4aAtgcIPeRw11KPPeXw9RKeR_-KylDDFfIQHsFNv2nRZ0/s2048/405833173_7113013982067395_3643209413133920993_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7O8qjp624QgIM5h9-RSncpN0dxOGY2Hh_9ADoIanV-vwBi6Gq-qdB_ljdYXqPkpQoFiUedV794OuCFA4mmgRoQbUzjb7Qws4H9VBztMvuIGUX_nDfQnRD98HKSVCjPVfO3x64wAP6FwxEBq4aAtgcIPeRw11KPPeXw9RKeR_-KylDDFfIQHsFNv2nRZ0/w640-h480/405833173_7113013982067395_3643209413133920993_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Macdui plateau with a good covering</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWa3yDqUy2OErREW7RXYDMCbzFZSxgO4rwww7pOryRCF34sbFn3xGwgba30KSewcBsPC6Rs64Q-VHRo1gqSYLy5Go3BQTL5jSdsN-ap43tXRNkVH7mX9Fs_qguNDsk0q1MIKOIj9iFgP93f1XgjRd8_Q-isnye2Qz0P-5wmqT1-JuQc6etjmVl4dWR_qs/s2048/405910972_7113012115400915_5557511305699136827_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWa3yDqUy2OErREW7RXYDMCbzFZSxgO4rwww7pOryRCF34sbFn3xGwgba30KSewcBsPC6Rs64Q-VHRo1gqSYLy5Go3BQTL5jSdsN-ap43tXRNkVH7mX9Fs_qguNDsk0q1MIKOIj9iFgP93f1XgjRd8_Q-isnye2Qz0P-5wmqT1-JuQc6etjmVl4dWR_qs/w640-h480/405910972_7113012115400915_5557511305699136827_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud rolling in from the west by noon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The next weather front was making its appearance out in the west. By 1pm the high tops were shrouded in cloud and poor visibility. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9Bd0HMnZfjvmp7ksiNp70aNyTq_6yMMpQnfECRTCb6mEksmEXEG_yQg-g-5Q1-0pPRFAIsxgJ61bikyswrL5-XiYcvSOQYoGU4zINw3KP7RY5DP41OVv6Qyfupu_cL8iJ6R4wzIGT6UNQKUFFKOCdrvc8R6MyqEhp6RxNkpiu9rsq3vcDkcNs3PbCA4/s2048/405859555_7113012712067522_7741451474870925968_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9Bd0HMnZfjvmp7ksiNp70aNyTq_6yMMpQnfECRTCb6mEksmEXEG_yQg-g-5Q1-0pPRFAIsxgJ61bikyswrL5-XiYcvSOQYoGU4zINw3KP7RY5DP41OVv6Qyfupu_cL8iJ6R4wzIGT6UNQKUFFKOCdrvc8R6MyqEhp6RxNkpiu9rsq3vcDkcNs3PbCA4/w640-h480/405859555_7113012712067522_7741451474870925968_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEH3vEJoG95j6ziO7PRIqrVaud1HB-Zk63NKQHfYj1REwX3swBo21Df2XTleMCvpb6XG7vL-Q4fghsXRnPh7aQxwlThs1rtwmJTwv4eFr5mnd_CX9krBW36HMKnrrraDu7MHaiVzzLD4scLTxIPaMnQ3shyZFgSdkuGI1B-WKyOU91woucnmNRaUSmWWA/s2048/405933949_7113012862067507_8734405866298026682_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEH3vEJoG95j6ziO7PRIqrVaud1HB-Zk63NKQHfYj1REwX3swBo21Df2XTleMCvpb6XG7vL-Q4fghsXRnPh7aQxwlThs1rtwmJTwv4eFr5mnd_CX9krBW36HMKnrrraDu7MHaiVzzLD4scLTxIPaMnQ3shyZFgSdkuGI1B-WKyOU91woucnmNRaUSmWWA/w640-h480/405933949_7113012862067507_8734405866298026682_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud about to cover Beinn Mheadhoin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Staying very cold on the high tops all this week and into next week. Summit temperatures of minus 8 C. Down in Aviemore today it is just about freezing point.</div><div>Winter is here!</div><div><br /></div><div>For details of all my <a href="https://www.tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk/winter-courses-scotland.html" target="_blank">winter courses check out my website for details</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many weekends are now fully booked and first half of January is full. Plenty of midweek dates left in December and Christmas dates are still available.....for now :)</div><div><br /></div><div>The snow falling is getting heavier outside :)<br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-26796809775295500052023-11-22T14:55:00.000+00:002023-11-23T14:56:14.835+00:00FIRST MOUNTAIN HARE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP THIS SEASON<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVl1cAXQF8qaOGO1JO00b8ucS97GM8Hp1XKk6cT0qaCCvsmRDKAjZX0wE62XdUAFSx7s-BhDk0yRRhz7f9OKklb7C7YstDNt7vhKS-fIdRsIfVm3rcmWmEGsk4p_68s93XhK14hw8VAGK4N6-C5nWxR_Q9_U98UJ33uhZUpr8C8lqN_XbrM8XreXUjZg/s2048/403222672_7095903143778479_6297851199855938540_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVl1cAXQF8qaOGO1JO00b8ucS97GM8Hp1XKk6cT0qaCCvsmRDKAjZX0wE62XdUAFSx7s-BhDk0yRRhz7f9OKklb7C7YstDNt7vhKS-fIdRsIfVm3rcmWmEGsk4p_68s93XhK14hw8VAGK4N6-C5nWxR_Q9_U98UJ33uhZUpr8C8lqN_XbrM8XreXUjZg/w640-h480/403222672_7095903143778479_6297851199855938540_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice and remote area for Lizzie's 2nd day out</td></tr></tbody></table>On Monday and Tuesday this week I was joined by Lizzie for her 2 days of mountain hare photography with Gary Hodgson Photography. She had made the huge trip al the way from the south coast of England, just to see and photograph the beautiful Scottish Mountain Hares. On Monday it definitely wasn't optimal conditions. We headed to a lower are in the Monadhliath to get away from the low cloud and rain. We didn't get a break! It was poor visibility, 35mph + winds and light rain/drizzle all day long. <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7X3CzfxOQsQos0tmZjRLHHVZFuFnuXwSwDR2AZV0_g7gMII91V8Vkz-QS5koM4SGPpF2g6VoXadc-Ri-uJ6i1GmFAcvWoteVPmFDBoNpMdU0G_Xo-jUqFLCOhZvYngY6nhPGqqjV_Z8zBhlVeIZAsv0trAbv5rvdsYbDGofJD8aAh_RQvQFWgbxMLwgM/s2048/403189250_7095905667111560_3181085529662185216_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7X3CzfxOQsQos0tmZjRLHHVZFuFnuXwSwDR2AZV0_g7gMII91V8Vkz-QS5koM4SGPpF2g6VoXadc-Ri-uJ6i1GmFAcvWoteVPmFDBoNpMdU0G_Xo-jUqFLCOhZvYngY6nhPGqqjV_Z8zBhlVeIZAsv0trAbv5rvdsYbDGofJD8aAh_RQvQFWgbxMLwgM/w640-h480/403189250_7095905667111560_3181085529662185216_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fine day in the Northern Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We saw 3 hares, one very close to us but with such poor visibility the hare saw us last seconds, no way were we going to expect him sitting there for us.</p><p>Going on a 2 day workshop will give a better chance of one day at least being good conditions. On Tuesday we got a fine day, thankfully.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IF60RZ2JlmPvUcY5SMsu8u6rPYJTvhn5bm5peE74zfs8MiibB7h-jWkVJPeFUqw0HyRqg2-o83SrpXJPI0lNnrqcZO_0DRkUbueFqRguqgAfK-UV09ZOskPUuBVIOxSHrAOKq5elplVEdQ8K03XsqKA70ZM6piZg8oCHnNNdsVcoQZq0j3lYAPZrHS0/s2048/403171140_7095904467111680_6334856605865992839_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IF60RZ2JlmPvUcY5SMsu8u6rPYJTvhn5bm5peE74zfs8MiibB7h-jWkVJPeFUqw0HyRqg2-o83SrpXJPI0lNnrqcZO_0DRkUbueFqRguqgAfK-UV09ZOskPUuBVIOxSHrAOKq5elplVEdQ8K03XsqKA70ZM6piZg8oCHnNNdsVcoQZq0j3lYAPZrHS0/w640-h480/403171140_7095904467111680_6334856605865992839_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7a4-chSCNBNiSHdl6T4MU0mGL0D1CvqF9tm6K8V5XFxkmEfkMc7J-KyqQasRy9QgKTbGuMujmybjnqSaLp4llRvYMd6QS1exZuH38c4q6bUQI8Yexx-_bcwNE-_K0ls2bBkJZmWzXITR9IJH_g-BO6_jDE8DBzHrw91LlKvbI8-uba95MvBNlDeP6Qzs/s2048/403168559_7095904640444996_255946643550682515_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7a4-chSCNBNiSHdl6T4MU0mGL0D1CvqF9tm6K8V5XFxkmEfkMc7J-KyqQasRy9QgKTbGuMujmybjnqSaLp4llRvYMd6QS1exZuH38c4q6bUQI8Yexx-_bcwNE-_K0ls2bBkJZmWzXITR9IJH_g-BO6_jDE8DBzHrw91LlKvbI8-uba95MvBNlDeP6Qzs/w480-h640/403168559_7095904640444996_255946643550682515_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was much cooler overnight on Monday, with snow falling down to about 800m. Tuesday morning dawned fine and bright. There was very little wind on the high Cairngorms and great visibility. So we headed high up. We weren't disappointed!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb8weIcHpDArsOjZlH_G8T9EiEE9PbphyphenhyphenPzogrBgNmQpOq55LGeLQCRs08Nira96nkhSr2TFelPsg7pQ1HlFAJrWwTCxzt6a6f5c730CWX5DdSCilbXtHSSOF91uE9l0yjqcWbqakFjQE3Aoeb9zMhyphenhyphenO32_3aajWSrGM0A3EA-amMnyl9wjVLK-tOgAw/s2048/403164509_7095905510444909_5384373459673751207_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb8weIcHpDArsOjZlH_G8T9EiEE9PbphyphenhyphenPzogrBgNmQpOq55LGeLQCRs08Nira96nkhSr2TFelPsg7pQ1HlFAJrWwTCxzt6a6f5c730CWX5DdSCilbXtHSSOF91uE9l0yjqcWbqakFjQE3Aoeb9zMhyphenhyphenO32_3aajWSrGM0A3EA-amMnyl9wjVLK-tOgAw/w640-h480/403164509_7095905510444909_5384373459673751207_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeyXP2WLbrRioUa9ETxtKTLSjIW8z00frcLjB9neotx53l00Y44T7Y-dHrV3AEebudARyAUHNbYvM-adpgX6zFNWtMMwxLPiikYBt80dytVuGD1XmwbFxGl2m2ixLis4VywLrhrCSM0CfgNXvsB_mWOC0jKVjJJfUK4Xe7MgSuCcZouK7khBDspoNC5k/s4513/A%20BUNNY%20I%20LIKE.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3385" data-original-width="4513" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeyXP2WLbrRioUa9ETxtKTLSjIW8z00frcLjB9neotx53l00Y44T7Y-dHrV3AEebudARyAUHNbYvM-adpgX6zFNWtMMwxLPiikYBt80dytVuGD1XmwbFxGl2m2ixLis4VywLrhrCSM0CfgNXvsB_mWOC0jKVjJJfUK4Xe7MgSuCcZouK7khBDspoNC5k/w640-h480/A%20BUNNY%20I%20LIKE.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely hare in a remote spot</td></tr></tbody></table>After 2 hours of walking I eventually spotted a lovely hare at an altitude of 1100m, in a remote corner of the plateau. Lizzie was over the moon and we spent a good 30 minutes with this wee fella.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fIxs6cI0NMRguX3cqEOvIdt3CT_DplUuV3lidqST84x6p4ITesSxAJuePw1TSzozMcjJKLgdrotgg5hl_SBNPR0UyScaEHDuXcf7WKh0QUmBABoRrkhmuwXZXcHC5fLSVlHrPLQv_xyznop5WazBjL6IAI95OjJ6nWGCf7vlIiTmZkr771ylKNHyDhg/s2048/403970933_7095903750445085_1727820302741883115_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fIxs6cI0NMRguX3cqEOvIdt3CT_DplUuV3lidqST84x6p4ITesSxAJuePw1TSzozMcjJKLgdrotgg5hl_SBNPR0UyScaEHDuXcf7WKh0QUmBABoRrkhmuwXZXcHC5fLSVlHrPLQv_xyznop5WazBjL6IAI95OjJ6nWGCf7vlIiTmZkr771ylKNHyDhg/w640-h480/403970933_7095903750445085_1727820302741883115_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A nice, fresh dusting of snow on top of an icy, old snowpack. More snowfall and much lower temperatures on Friday. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8VPQyLax38OwveJE2CqSu4vzKI-okxE2emjrFYD52ICWwYCvIlEhv5qVtHrRs_FA_OGT9TcjtTi-drEq7tsW6zwyjhxeW0dARwcxxQYnZItkKfkgiAlWkQAuMIKze29CYcESDG4bGLtBwG4268CR6KwmfPkBdhXM7xTX_FDhuukEctxc7BrpoRsFhyphenhyphen0/s2048/403113125_7095905357111591_5721032504512255437_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8VPQyLax38OwveJE2CqSu4vzKI-okxE2emjrFYD52ICWwYCvIlEhv5qVtHrRs_FA_OGT9TcjtTi-drEq7tsW6zwyjhxeW0dARwcxxQYnZItkKfkgiAlWkQAuMIKze29CYcESDG4bGLtBwG4268CR6KwmfPkBdhXM7xTX_FDhuukEctxc7BrpoRsFhyphenhyphen0/w640-h480/403113125_7095905357111591_5721032504512255437_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back down, Lizzie more than happy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNUetta0oJP_AuArmGq_7jVPF5A9c5HgSrsRUa126aiXFdJmKNni4e6KB8SfoYR5M6UvF_NNPO3RSDtptIP4kfZTE4Ue-dgeKYhp8DH34JQ_gT47I6pHvWno-c8CF8evycqebkHF94KphqrDTFCa0FhU3CdD8yOX1MX0vkPHlXIHMr2nEoA7gjsUW1jQ/s6000/IP7A4441.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNUetta0oJP_AuArmGq_7jVPF5A9c5HgSrsRUa126aiXFdJmKNni4e6KB8SfoYR5M6UvF_NNPO3RSDtptIP4kfZTE4Ue-dgeKYhp8DH34JQ_gT47I6pHvWno-c8CF8evycqebkHF94KphqrDTFCa0FhU3CdD8yOX1MX0vkPHlXIHMr2nEoA7gjsUW1jQ/w640-h426/IP7A4441.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent skies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><br />Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-76813386277358789352023-11-18T15:29:00.004+00:002023-11-18T15:29:49.327+00:00DEEP SNOW, TEMPERTAURE INVERSIONS & FOG BOWS<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB34U4dkSDrr-7t_rSr0DAabBRS06ta4cvLQxjoAMzeoLJfM69gjL8U5LVgkf_CPYN_EGgG3RpPV9r-WefcEGzKwBxFV4IZ-pxcHYl53F4zLfDWsmLLYHRpTvKTvvoWz-RqgXpSFmDunhHWobm6hlmAN3glwXEUd7QejQURMKtFyfwsbXO908JmKbYxRk/s6240/DSCF1241.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB34U4dkSDrr-7t_rSr0DAabBRS06ta4cvLQxjoAMzeoLJfM69gjL8U5LVgkf_CPYN_EGgG3RpPV9r-WefcEGzKwBxFV4IZ-pxcHYl53F4zLfDWsmLLYHRpTvKTvvoWz-RqgXpSFmDunhHWobm6hlmAN3glwXEUd7QejQURMKtFyfwsbXO908JmKbYxRk/w640-h426/DSCF1241.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sgor and Lochain Uaine & Brearich above a temperature inversion, Thursday 16 Nov</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Anopther wonderful cold spell on the Cairngorms this week. On Monday and Tuesday it was well below freezing and snow falling on the high ground. It doesn't take long before the mountains come into full winter conditions. On Thursday the winds had eased to viryually nothing miles per hour on the tops. A day of sun and possibly temperature inversions was on the cards. A good day to get up high with the proper camera. Karen and I decided on a good leg stretch up Ben Macdui to see how much snow was on the hills. <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW7Z_GS05FLOyhP4GtDWZb8jYn4Bls-ZhzextKB3Jog8SjfLKVyGvhL60Rs2KZZB3Cn1IE1iL1QXRgsQIDGx7L9zIddAzvpCSL6PKOiFUi9t_4ZE9Egf84mT6rg9qY5QSDRGpWlBHLqK7r8hVJAZPTWSktolnbD8KEjh01lWAIAXcb5emQM2hBnw7j-U/s6240/DSCF1148.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW7Z_GS05FLOyhP4GtDWZb8jYn4Bls-ZhzextKB3Jog8SjfLKVyGvhL60Rs2KZZB3Cn1IE1iL1QXRgsQIDGx7L9zIddAzvpCSL6PKOiFUi9t_4ZE9Egf84mT6rg9qY5QSDRGpWlBHLqK7r8hVJAZPTWSktolnbD8KEjh01lWAIAXcb5emQM2hBnw7j-U/w640-h426/DSCF1148.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meall a' Bhuachaille amidst swirling clouds first thing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGk62WWq4MYK_Plzr8AIUvyuqSZ4sNA6xgf5goqBDX5mElEFpT2qVi4ZDTxaLfCy2aebbPgrCPH2OpV_k5eNr3p8hZEltdLHCMPYQK7jxJ84lEUKuyu6A-A2rVCRuPniiA1gpXTR6abpc1X6E2ALUJUMBUuz7weadjsfis9pCn7f3qgaSQOruoGPXv0Q/s6240/DSCF1157.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGk62WWq4MYK_Plzr8AIUvyuqSZ4sNA6xgf5goqBDX5mElEFpT2qVi4ZDTxaLfCy2aebbPgrCPH2OpV_k5eNr3p8hZEltdLHCMPYQK7jxJ84lEUKuyu6A-A2rVCRuPniiA1gpXTR6abpc1X6E2ALUJUMBUuz7weadjsfis9pCn7f3qgaSQOruoGPXv0Q/w640-h426/DSCF1157.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowline at 850m</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We've not yet had any snow down to Strathspey level this season, but I am sure it won't be far away. We have had some good dumps up high though. At the moment the snowline is around 850m. We set off with some wonderful atmospheric cloud at lower levels with bright skies on the mountains.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UDu5JlLLNPGAtLfZRRQVT87aEnH1K4kFU9TOpP9aRwazhHD64KSHGV65cvMsEJ3wEqHFkgGiOBrQatBy5VT7gc5jGak2qjGofV5QJzBMIcqqvyfJ51cepvVv_BSU6aSO4SQm3wfTNTImDN559mm1mHbST9TfpumBbiAnXIeMlTGvr-CszbTJ2VEwvss/s6240/DSCF1173.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UDu5JlLLNPGAtLfZRRQVT87aEnH1K4kFU9TOpP9aRwazhHD64KSHGV65cvMsEJ3wEqHFkgGiOBrQatBy5VT7gc5jGak2qjGofV5QJzBMIcqqvyfJ51cepvVv_BSU6aSO4SQm3wfTNTImDN559mm1mHbST9TfpumBbiAnXIeMlTGvr-CszbTJ2VEwvss/w640-h426/DSCF1173.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright sun and drifting clouds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM4oQUdlaOMZLsXKh_peCoRtHFnWlXrT5SF4QnPK4Jm7y2juiSEQuG-3ZS_pcqVtgCpWIpJ95tNyNrlDdNQBfiQPsSCvgbEPfIkF4Px4ZrZoE_G2oOHVGA3zjzwPV-_OOFdf85EeAdACXz4IF3l5GXrWLCknqgzPIGbpeTx_kd_4P9Lep_Fwl_FWWYIA/s6240/DSCF1169.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM4oQUdlaOMZLsXKh_peCoRtHFnWlXrT5SF4QnPK4Jm7y2juiSEQuG-3ZS_pcqVtgCpWIpJ95tNyNrlDdNQBfiQPsSCvgbEPfIkF4Px4ZrZoE_G2oOHVGA3zjzwPV-_OOFdf85EeAdACXz4IF3l5GXrWLCknqgzPIGbpeTx_kd_4P9Lep_Fwl_FWWYIA/w640-h426/DSCF1169.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiacaill Coire Sneachda & Cairn Gorm</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We gained the Cairngorm - Ben Macdui plateau and the bright skies was transformed with drifting clouds from the south. Very atmospheric as we made our way across the plateau in ankle deep snow. At the lochans we had some wonderful <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/optical-effects/rainbows/fogbow" target="_blank">Fog Bows </a>being created in these brilliant conditions.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirC-ETFr0azbvD-tmwvhbqQ-p9q0UtAcoT1SV6RsAzKzIQ5e6rXp96f-hfF7_7fl3-vb1qmeJbWBf91DhB9LMuO4kq44bOjfTwO3a5mjdvofiGElJnad19jkDRSJv5fferYAhnE9CBOfRlvXeaMXjKO2KnLmNLxU-btwxmOYeNwqjHuK2dAB1VqgRm_5M/s6240/DSCF1186.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirC-ETFr0azbvD-tmwvhbqQ-p9q0UtAcoT1SV6RsAzKzIQ5e6rXp96f-hfF7_7fl3-vb1qmeJbWBf91DhB9LMuO4kq44bOjfTwO3a5mjdvofiGElJnad19jkDRSJv5fferYAhnE9CBOfRlvXeaMXjKO2KnLmNLxU-btwxmOYeNwqjHuK2dAB1VqgRm_5M/w640-h426/DSCF1186.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep snow, sun & clouds at 1100m</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9aHZbGiGEggGvfTDKUcC9sLvCVkZ7jvcT7LkhrvOwA6YK9uYzFs-kQiUJPBMb_N_-95yzLVd8fghAMbnyA1js6ZNq6kKXaTxWAmKGk6YFLAepGg_qPgCJKHwbqwOzesc9q9zcVV4UP0WzwMXwpH_4V6V4h2vHcfD6VSpvPHVfSgKa2xpTC61v9iAvmo/s6240/DSCF1204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9aHZbGiGEggGvfTDKUcC9sLvCVkZ7jvcT7LkhrvOwA6YK9uYzFs-kQiUJPBMb_N_-95yzLVd8fghAMbnyA1js6ZNq6kKXaTxWAmKGk6YFLAepGg_qPgCJKHwbqwOzesc9q9zcVV4UP0WzwMXwpH_4V6V4h2vHcfD6VSpvPHVfSgKa2xpTC61v9iAvmo/w640-h426/DSCF1204.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fog bow at lunchtime</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGtnLz2QvQxoAKL_7cI2OQV30vIX8BZHBkhDUQlEjHh2qDNASoMk45k9hyjrr23uWsP5z5uypxqFJrCCrHtvDuxn8pZJbzx9bJwvGu4oe3z0NPW3gvWfeArC_Nu3jRHyhxicegjYP0frgionVf9nAWVmTwx5g622Ey6STXBLPBtZEmtPB5LzwwkmgE5g/s6240/DSCF1212.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGtnLz2QvQxoAKL_7cI2OQV30vIX8BZHBkhDUQlEjHh2qDNASoMk45k9hyjrr23uWsP5z5uypxqFJrCCrHtvDuxn8pZJbzx9bJwvGu4oe3z0NPW3gvWfeArC_Nu3jRHyhxicegjYP0frgionVf9nAWVmTwx5g622Ey6STXBLPBtZEmtPB5LzwwkmgE5g/w640-h426/DSCF1212.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite a few of these today</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The route up to Ben Macdui was in constant changing overhead conditions. Bright sun, fog bows, glimpses of distant mountains. If there wasn't already a track of foot prints in the snow today then the map and compass would most certainly been deployed in these conditions.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Yq4eULxgVayKZ3COkb-axa-9LFGBcYL9pEUTtcAHD7tm3KSH0MX24VZKG3CWrfXnT55AQ1N3PQ3xfxsXnPqKmxoskas4hvw9zSge8TPieyNhCnd3U_T8Xl7C3Qu4VDETE_7OPMe5evkMgZrpKRBQQ4VzK8aaiZ8jfxn80zUXiSTR2PUdgvlwW4YpXsU/s6240/DSCF1220.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Yq4eULxgVayKZ3COkb-axa-9LFGBcYL9pEUTtcAHD7tm3KSH0MX24VZKG3CWrfXnT55AQ1N3PQ3xfxsXnPqKmxoskas4hvw9zSge8TPieyNhCnd3U_T8Xl7C3Qu4VDETE_7OPMe5evkMgZrpKRBQQ4VzK8aaiZ8jfxn80zUXiSTR2PUdgvlwW4YpXsU/w640-h426/DSCF1220.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will the sun break through?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZJBjeBS4rmO7bF_1znnGPp0X_w05YYHsg1EAXCW6A2LxL3eE8auKHEeuXpt1cZ8GPYsE1_qnehxA25h8HxNYCX7T3PGfJUWyB2QfHdYM5n0WloJrXMmLAXowZ9ewnnqbjnAak7_pAS2aIbGSHGZrhUm-VzDpU3XRP0wiDh7YOna6GQ0ebw5WJJpORKA/s6122/DSCF1224.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4082" data-original-width="6122" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZJBjeBS4rmO7bF_1znnGPp0X_w05YYHsg1EAXCW6A2LxL3eE8auKHEeuXpt1cZ8GPYsE1_qnehxA25h8HxNYCX7T3PGfJUWyB2QfHdYM5n0WloJrXMmLAXowZ9ewnnqbjnAak7_pAS2aIbGSHGZrhUm-VzDpU3XRP0wiDh7YOna6GQ0ebw5WJJpORKA/w640-h426/DSCF1224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8v77kmJO4pf84N7kp0CoCx689yDm0W_NBYQq1elbyaMD970vK7re4XVHKUSTIl63ymZpKjsSJblneFtzwbp5DIRs_6Zgx0hdpToGMfORLQEEu_UOdYoyIaEFkxApXxyXsTKuAADvvf-rF3VtBpvsKp0XzPfqBcyEQuMTw2yyimFnyJQw8lXpp_ADWBk/s6240/DSCF1232.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8v77kmJO4pf84N7kp0CoCx689yDm0W_NBYQq1elbyaMD970vK7re4XVHKUSTIl63ymZpKjsSJblneFtzwbp5DIRs_6Zgx0hdpToGMfORLQEEu_UOdYoyIaEFkxApXxyXsTKuAADvvf-rF3VtBpvsKp0XzPfqBcyEQuMTw2yyimFnyJQw8lXpp_ADWBk/w640-h426/DSCF1232.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braeriach above a temperature inversion in the Lairig Ghru</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We were just gaining Ben Macdui's North Top when we broke out of the cloud and into bright sunshine and blue skies! Absolutely fabulous. One of the finest weather conditions any hillwalker or mountaineer will experience in their life is a<a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/types-of-weather/temperature/temperature-inversion" target="_blank"> temperature inversion</a>. The high tops were poking into clear skies above the cloud. Fine views across the cloud filled Lairig Ghru towards Sgor an Lochain Uaine and Braeriach.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QPaSFe0EDf26sTxwdQKsxEX3SpXn4OLg3BDg75n6TYBmyLlhXqZgNNlIh6bkQIHLtju5v-MZWg4eZ7_GqrmcGBwDFpdvvp5owEp_hsATMt0VwG0Lfms4wB17QIwZw63hewUdUaSt7Vsje-VwHqIV-V0ulKFBj4Q8ooNuw62-umC2n2b98-JtTb4X0RQ/s6240/DSCF1238.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QPaSFe0EDf26sTxwdQKsxEX3SpXn4OLg3BDg75n6TYBmyLlhXqZgNNlIh6bkQIHLtju5v-MZWg4eZ7_GqrmcGBwDFpdvvp5owEp_hsATMt0VwG0Lfms4wB17QIwZw63hewUdUaSt7Vsje-VwHqIV-V0ulKFBj4Q8ooNuw62-umC2n2b98-JtTb4X0RQ/w640-h426/DSCF1238.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braeriach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIn8PCxntjgsXLPIVVvFMTpJKJTWZdBEu5_z-SX1NNOAK3hFZu2ncKeswUOtJdZSl4hGyw2z_dqeJ5kfmCw7kT_W8sJXL74pdRMbuFQ5uZL7AR0agW_pE8m5S3PhjdPLKAN_l707vn_CtebaYO0TwnvZ5hMmnIRfu7TEC0LvtW58IRe81b0Opud72V8A/s6122/DSCF1239.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4082" data-original-width="6122" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIn8PCxntjgsXLPIVVvFMTpJKJTWZdBEu5_z-SX1NNOAK3hFZu2ncKeswUOtJdZSl4hGyw2z_dqeJ5kfmCw7kT_W8sJXL74pdRMbuFQ5uZL7AR0agW_pE8m5S3PhjdPLKAN_l707vn_CtebaYO0TwnvZ5hMmnIRfu7TEC0LvtW58IRe81b0Opud72V8A/w640-h426/DSCF1239.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back down to the plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONsFdvemToV8ifE6vzfE7UHWdvDBeN-9ddiG-cpgwLO9EvlkVOo8kJKSyCGA8_F88AXZPMkELpjj8f1cV6uBmc9LKC8JtvHWZvO_JHn5m6MJw05ukQziUuz-fjlY94RfInXNTClarH5tq_ldqGgzktwosY8Hzexhv-YzzoxcGKuO-OLCqGQAYKl-px18/s6240/DSCF1240.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONsFdvemToV8ifE6vzfE7UHWdvDBeN-9ddiG-cpgwLO9EvlkVOo8kJKSyCGA8_F88AXZPMkELpjj8f1cV6uBmc9LKC8JtvHWZvO_JHn5m6MJw05ukQziUuz-fjlY94RfInXNTClarH5tq_ldqGgzktwosY8Hzexhv-YzzoxcGKuO-OLCqGQAYKl-px18/w640-h426/DSCF1240.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn Gorm & Bynack More clear</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We enjoyed 20 minutes of fine views in the sunshine but the final few minutes to the summit of Ben Macdui the cloud drifted over again and the views disappeared.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kjioP8AhVx-7W1_QYQECPBC6MLnKxVzF3ZYW2qlxot6g3BEdcGDoODsc9Q_yozZfsL-3Ra3CshmXpopwhJXpFRU6xc-l_utyYNgPnfczzb7MQ_B7zjbgXWS43QiI8HKqRKSLL3mfHb7dzcQ-IAO8kZd0-MUgGNV09rJWbjjF49r6yZNvoYrrDP3g2SE/s6122/DSCF1247.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4082" data-original-width="6122" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kjioP8AhVx-7W1_QYQECPBC6MLnKxVzF3ZYW2qlxot6g3BEdcGDoODsc9Q_yozZfsL-3Ra3CshmXpopwhJXpFRU6xc-l_utyYNgPnfczzb7MQ_B7zjbgXWS43QiI8HKqRKSLL3mfHb7dzcQ-IAO8kZd0-MUgGNV09rJWbjjF49r6yZNvoYrrDP3g2SE/w640-h426/DSCF1247.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20 minutes from here to the top of Ben Macdui</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLDJGErPvr7NaGE8nL5UZ2TOfV2vWQHDB8u_PWLpue3A26Aw4WQb6fKQGJGQrgW5NLOHBWgeNwHCrWPpzOmh5XgD9xJl9jxcCcieyL-lDJKP2JAsl5NIJZv-fN7FEe3vZMwnZ6GfKsNz8DTOHdUV1AfAKIHzlwAaX_GluJhrN00zYK2RatHoKBnVZ6tY/s6240/DSCF1249.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLDJGErPvr7NaGE8nL5UZ2TOfV2vWQHDB8u_PWLpue3A26Aw4WQb6fKQGJGQrgW5NLOHBWgeNwHCrWPpzOmh5XgD9xJl9jxcCcieyL-lDJKP2JAsl5NIJZv-fN7FEe3vZMwnZ6GfKsNz8DTOHdUV1AfAKIHzlwAaX_GluJhrN00zYK2RatHoKBnVZ6tY/w640-h426/DSCF1249.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but the cloud drifting over the summit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6hgfvR3kvRBjh_9E72dQmrXSextY8KndP6sQShmRkGMtp1OPR6IT-cnWTBdhyphenhyphenn8UZNMReWIf47sFSXGjv2Pq9QHHP73FXf51hlOWl8IGjJqVXqCkaFZC8jyZXAZBtlf3agfDwMvVzihmn97Z1m9AbyekAOghePmpgehsY-uhzYBDxn-kXRKYy4zzzLk/s2048/400835713_7078356548866472_4669935928989354249_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6hgfvR3kvRBjh_9E72dQmrXSextY8KndP6sQShmRkGMtp1OPR6IT-cnWTBdhyphenhyphenn8UZNMReWIf47sFSXGjv2Pq9QHHP73FXf51hlOWl8IGjJqVXqCkaFZC8jyZXAZBtlf3agfDwMvVzihmn97Z1m9AbyekAOghePmpgehsY-uhzYBDxn-kXRKYy4zzzLk/w640-h480/400835713_7078356548866472_4669935928989354249_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Macdui summit in cloud</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>All the way back from Ben Macdui's summit, across the plateau and over to the Northern Corries we had zero views and very poor visibility. We saw no one for 3 hrs! Only when we descended the Fiacaill Coire Cas ridge did we come back out of the cloud. </p><p>A top day out, one of many stunning winter days this season I am certain.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pU2bsNXKsPPoGRiwcsviHE2lWdFif7JaQTndyM0_y7rWhc45N1_enwNm_lVLtz7L0cTkh1moVAZ6udYmK6HBQ99vuJixv8ZNOEGumV23I-w8cOm17NLWhIZaNOFubnp4EmipBGpjZ158mG9Qjdw932RRnM_rl44hS3A3-Wjd2uPTXj_BdmGUOrci6sE/s2048/400848164_7078356902199770_2148094278203514758_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pU2bsNXKsPPoGRiwcsviHE2lWdFif7JaQTndyM0_y7rWhc45N1_enwNm_lVLtz7L0cTkh1moVAZ6udYmK6HBQ99vuJixv8ZNOEGumV23I-w8cOm17NLWhIZaNOFubnp4EmipBGpjZ158mG9Qjdw932RRnM_rl44hS3A3-Wjd2uPTXj_BdmGUOrci6sE/w640-h480/400848164_7078356902199770_2148094278203514758_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally out of the cloud</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbiaFTlmucMia_vVPIswD27Qvw_D7d3xV9hNHI0U-rCrvD0g9paeJQISVEt3V0535m3F6VdYE9cVLljV6BcGOei3OZisH7_11qzpePCGhqgCcgS_A9WMOxraPkqkrF4TqkLXLjuGTUZ9rX0BiYiEN1KFlva1l9ISRGO3OWTB4zNYSILsCu-lTQuAqIkM/s6010/DSCF1370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4007" data-original-width="6010" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbiaFTlmucMia_vVPIswD27Qvw_D7d3xV9hNHI0U-rCrvD0g9paeJQISVEt3V0535m3F6VdYE9cVLljV6BcGOei3OZisH7_11qzpePCGhqgCcgS_A9WMOxraPkqkrF4TqkLXLjuGTUZ9rX0BiYiEN1KFlva1l9ISRGO3OWTB4zNYSILsCu-lTQuAqIkM/w640-h426/DSCF1370.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning mid afternoon on Cairn Gorm</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>On Friday the fine spell of high pressure continued. Hardly a breath of wind again on the high Cairngorms. All the snow is still there and another glorious sunny day up high. There was a bank of cloud stuck in Strathspey all day. Above 350m it was completely clears skies until early afternoon. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOdUQsY_I_5gPGnzPoJcQejkk0-JKvkHycaUxdv0QHYTkmO3GLEcuR3xYLnPF2w1f2uq92VAvG8KC_BLK4AasbsyriWYeuvi1w01Zrl2DKfQzy8gxRIa00V93Ef-4cS2kJmyh5CYzHo0ui-gP4eNFWdZhXYU9TBKljn3Yb7qCmuVpXwXSa9oktvDgFuo/s6240/DSCF1257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOdUQsY_I_5gPGnzPoJcQejkk0-JKvkHycaUxdv0QHYTkmO3GLEcuR3xYLnPF2w1f2uq92VAvG8KC_BLK4AasbsyriWYeuvi1w01Zrl2DKfQzy8gxRIa00V93Ef-4cS2kJmyh5CYzHo0ui-gP4eNFWdZhXYU9TBKljn3Yb7qCmuVpXwXSa9oktvDgFuo/w640-h426/DSCF1257.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, undisturbed snow above Strathspey</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKghLIx363pvlZ_20_EC56GNSkY8eKfyDZzPEsWQXC_ucKXg6VGWTHjeA5xYpgtLxS_dA1R65IhKv0Ul5Be1ibY6tfkiU8omQGAyLN4DMlCsGUDhhNEqzqePvVG-X1Rf0ukTVMi_nlZiPbiCTbM4AcXpwsG60aRHN7fhyEpp8yRCgOnAl_qnOJ3CP6q60/s6010/DSCF1258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4007" data-original-width="6010" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKghLIx363pvlZ_20_EC56GNSkY8eKfyDZzPEsWQXC_ucKXg6VGWTHjeA5xYpgtLxS_dA1R65IhKv0Ul5Be1ibY6tfkiU8omQGAyLN4DMlCsGUDhhNEqzqePvVG-X1Rf0ukTVMi_nlZiPbiCTbM4AcXpwsG60aRHN7fhyEpp8yRCgOnAl_qnOJ3CP6q60/w640-h426/DSCF1258.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bynack More</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I had a day of photography and some wildlife watching. A lot of ski-tourers around, scaring off all the Mountain Hares. I saw plenty of footprints and wee snow shelters where they had been resting up overnight. No sign of ptarmigan, the snow quite deep so they've probably moved off to a better area with less snow cover.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYagtdNBV1aUOMegZ20zqZT7bVtZwUhKRuV2HWC2Pu_unDERMHMFerv0LSjaD2ia_pb5sjmH2p3liddiTOo4u57s_QSPysK1ve19EOH988LbjUiBQ-trnAv6CmMX1qXhsBzK551b6gsbYmjHuKPKByKMRnqLYJ2vAoeR2bdx9oHyb2WE9T4ghM6UkGMo/s6240/DSCF1282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYagtdNBV1aUOMegZ20zqZT7bVtZwUhKRuV2HWC2Pu_unDERMHMFerv0LSjaD2ia_pb5sjmH2p3liddiTOo4u57s_QSPysK1ve19EOH988LbjUiBQ-trnAv6CmMX1qXhsBzK551b6gsbYmjHuKPKByKMRnqLYJ2vAoeR2bdx9oHyb2WE9T4ghM6UkGMo/w640-h426/DSCF1282.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking over to Beinn A'an & Ben a' Bheither</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9toMEyl8FKEwlqhrDq4nibKI6sGTxUaFphvFgGxKXx1YLqWoN1dHetqb9Ia6dRSmB599WOsDSecMIs6j1wVt1H-Np2OCSbw3x9HbrLJE6yRHHx4S6CvwDzpXUW4mj2fKoQGJ8EoKRc5qzj3dQUaJz-IfPWT-G5MFwZ4miLmHYofMaTmddNTtSj2JjnI/s6122/DSCF1261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4082" data-original-width="6122" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9toMEyl8FKEwlqhrDq4nibKI6sGTxUaFphvFgGxKXx1YLqWoN1dHetqb9Ia6dRSmB599WOsDSecMIs6j1wVt1H-Np2OCSbw3x9HbrLJE6yRHHx4S6CvwDzpXUW4mj2fKoQGJ8EoKRc5qzj3dQUaJz-IfPWT-G5MFwZ4miLmHYofMaTmddNTtSj2JjnI/w640-h426/DSCF1261.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glorious surface hoar crystals</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s78ksSWLr0b63lx4t0AMCo483Ckfjuc0nIOkr6xJYhTlE7ZVJ739QtgnkRJJaM8O4nvKemhZtnikkhl1pggrJo_XVilM2kqT9rvxp8cYPYiMIHco13j5lg9AGgwy_wQqy1AxKyWLcrRw0a9c4p_0sX9JWuzDjnO3DkSEPlVbjM3ha8cvHCFcGtcupPc/s6240/DSCF1269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s78ksSWLr0b63lx4t0AMCo483Ckfjuc0nIOkr6xJYhTlE7ZVJ739QtgnkRJJaM8O4nvKemhZtnikkhl1pggrJo_XVilM2kqT9rvxp8cYPYiMIHco13j5lg9AGgwy_wQqy1AxKyWLcrRw0a9c4p_0sX9JWuzDjnO3DkSEPlVbjM3ha8cvHCFcGtcupPc/w640-h426/DSCF1269.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untrodden snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I wandered up to the summit of Cairn Gorm after midday. There was some cloud rolling in from the SW which made for lovely images. Clear skies are not what photographers are looking for. Cloud and light make more interesting images.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrQ9WFVPuZMb7P8emfZtXHIiah7nD8n98tSor5_BKaUvT6YfeRJENgfEovmmArKfKNtu2jj5aAPHFkRyl84Vo-FHD2ytfSP5Gy53y6ZgQet4mnS96XFxYh_I7fzfyHwWczGVFQCrd8av6akAov11tJlcKVrYF7cndLZyCx-v_VoKS1-o6fI45BJqvPak/s6240/DSCF1329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrQ9WFVPuZMb7P8emfZtXHIiah7nD8n98tSor5_BKaUvT6YfeRJENgfEovmmArKfKNtu2jj5aAPHFkRyl84Vo-FHD2ytfSP5Gy53y6ZgQet4mnS96XFxYh_I7fzfyHwWczGVFQCrd8av6akAov11tJlcKVrYF7cndLZyCx-v_VoKS1-o6fI45BJqvPak/w640-h426/DSCF1329.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beinn Mheadhoin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUcQVlwNlG9qDMauu3CrrjEMFhLhwhGSBBnRXd9bcSWMiK9OszU8u6wzWT5Mp5rqvYk86qXWZnXYoCg-BsudM9DRs5SrsvP-JRBaPw1roWKT2yvAvjudkpLK25og6XbE80BURJDWV7uwv-dNY5CnxL_ht_rGDcPqpVtNsmKAu0PPedVXaDMP-YhI4Onw/s6240/DSCF1349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUcQVlwNlG9qDMauu3CrrjEMFhLhwhGSBBnRXd9bcSWMiK9OszU8u6wzWT5Mp5rqvYk86qXWZnXYoCg-BsudM9DRs5SrsvP-JRBaPw1roWKT2yvAvjudkpLK25og6XbE80BURJDWV7uwv-dNY5CnxL_ht_rGDcPqpVtNsmKAu0PPedVXaDMP-YhI4Onw/w640-h426/DSCF1349.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rime ice</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNwkmJoBojoJtPCiocAUbFPbgd3EWLH1GZXmyq_QJqaACx2AbRZx3B68Mls8Cxo9kRZIyqgUqK0CgesNaF7XMwoQtY5RJKZZ2SIqx6nLsTOAt_3qUEblW8abdeduGegzqdqg9LDYvdjYtXTAfdLlSpdKNIMevJPADtzfaaAVhMkpboCs7-e82e1MfL3E/s6240/DSCF1334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNwkmJoBojoJtPCiocAUbFPbgd3EWLH1GZXmyq_QJqaACx2AbRZx3B68Mls8Cxo9kRZIyqgUqK0CgesNaF7XMwoQtY5RJKZZ2SIqx6nLsTOAt_3qUEblW8abdeduGegzqdqg9LDYvdjYtXTAfdLlSpdKNIMevJPADtzfaaAVhMkpboCs7-e82e1MfL3E/w640-h426/DSCF1334.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stathspey in fog all day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DsbzgJRm_CEZUldRG5P-K6Wa33_LA2imE9eydqTc68Wxl2Myu7tx4XrqzMV5oOy_esBrH-eV19XRlux4sUfswltsVeawsHTUe8IioaGASJ1aDDg44iXX_T2-Pzy11Xlls5AHP7ooTwzAHlX-TKU5yXHF79K072XcI5TNwsx2kbJtDnchKn1Vpw0-B7Y/s6010/DSCF1355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4007" data-original-width="6010" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DsbzgJRm_CEZUldRG5P-K6Wa33_LA2imE9eydqTc68Wxl2Myu7tx4XrqzMV5oOy_esBrH-eV19XRlux4sUfswltsVeawsHTUe8IioaGASJ1aDDg44iXX_T2-Pzy11Xlls5AHP7ooTwzAHlX-TKU5yXHF79K072XcI5TNwsx2kbJtDnchKn1Vpw0-B7Y/w640-h426/DSCF1355.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot where the mountain hare was resting</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihx4ECz-QbgnSYXsSD9DkdR4ZXat0deiQGRpib-Ap18Tgh3RhUFw_sWyXHZ0Tm225offCCagZHg1kc8veW51k3kYYD2hhYvBwYj8KCXG5BKBiEa3PKnoMzPhLV3j78IdBD_kZAriTyke4lFJfdHHxNZgvY5b0fFgMQdRQxRKhJRaKIOw4kORHDGZ3jl_c/s6240/DSCF1382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihx4ECz-QbgnSYXsSD9DkdR4ZXat0deiQGRpib-Ap18Tgh3RhUFw_sWyXHZ0Tm225offCCagZHg1kc8veW51k3kYYD2hhYvBwYj8KCXG5BKBiEa3PKnoMzPhLV3j78IdBD_kZAriTyke4lFJfdHHxNZgvY5b0fFgMQdRQxRKhJRaKIOw4kORHDGZ3jl_c/w640-h426/DSCF1382.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mid afternoon, last of the sun light</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW9VI0Ph85FyniVuUdQCokVr2yRDr7ajNFDD83E9uvkcJ6D9NlG8MuTZRTHjKGhSeDqErSJ6ZiI35l4KKWJhyf8mLbSe3T71m8hRwijiJ_rAxVBIouiz119eMKoVj4TYJwLG2FSwIu0bEXGtc15HX9yJt10rM8xVv1kIlRzgDXHPcqWG4KuQcEKMFYso/s6122/DSCF1385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4082" data-original-width="6122" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW9VI0Ph85FyniVuUdQCokVr2yRDr7ajNFDD83E9uvkcJ6D9NlG8MuTZRTHjKGhSeDqErSJ6ZiI35l4KKWJhyf8mLbSe3T71m8hRwijiJ_rAxVBIouiz119eMKoVj4TYJwLG2FSwIu0bEXGtc15HX9yJt10rM8xVv1kIlRzgDXHPcqWG4KuQcEKMFYso/w640-h426/DSCF1385.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent snow cover</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWOTkRs4vSPs-OzE58CfXfB9oJgA5RFWoDHuntNx53PGz7D1DGftD87OJUfC9dm9CpoBGnyfDJ1hIbbqJEmsJM6nksYDJXf7kzJNO8EFVTbtLaC2LpY-cIiXBDS7CqaTkat2sPttgeLFW4hYa8RpPau9dRBBJk1zPtex4rTG37JVVIYJEFpYJqTkqPhY/s6122/DSCF1383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4082" data-original-width="6122" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWOTkRs4vSPs-OzE58CfXfB9oJgA5RFWoDHuntNx53PGz7D1DGftD87OJUfC9dm9CpoBGnyfDJ1hIbbqJEmsJM6nksYDJXf7kzJNO8EFVTbtLaC2LpY-cIiXBDS7CqaTkat2sPttgeLFW4hYa8RpPau9dRBBJk1zPtex4rTG37JVVIYJEFpYJqTkqPhY/w640-h426/DSCF1383.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contrast of low angled light and clouds drifting in<br /><p><br style="text-align: left;" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table>Windier, wetter and cloudier on Saturday. You need to catch the glorious winter days when they come along.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5ZR7qQ1pKwCl_HpVZ9c8q15an9FkiWzKtPmEKnitpsl4Y5l1DAZGFQEDQWKSok1IlDg0j5fgBHxyq4m857LI-y23NG9H-L5aKRxP43cI2adDoGbfZtOWRAI9OVseWD0u0bzqyGmqZO7_koA_g2wath8fGyWPZ6PSps0QHZd1WH6cDhE2lPizmetyDOc/s6240/DSCF1394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3513" data-original-width="6240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5ZR7qQ1pKwCl_HpVZ9c8q15an9FkiWzKtPmEKnitpsl4Y5l1DAZGFQEDQWKSok1IlDg0j5fgBHxyq4m857LI-y23NG9H-L5aKRxP43cI2adDoGbfZtOWRAI9OVseWD0u0bzqyGmqZO7_koA_g2wath8fGyWPZ6PSps0QHZd1WH6cDhE2lPizmetyDOc/w640-h360/DSCF1394.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud moving in over the Fiacaill Ridge at dusk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-40868208035684424272023-11-10T11:08:00.001+00:002023-11-10T11:08:06.238+00:00SNOW RETURNS AGAIN TO THE CAIRNGORMS<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWaAzQhuIsjw-UCEBG_6KcxfXi_BtooJzHZR0mTyFH7-nV0kvAvAAp7-JjNmJ0sDqHCDwmxHfCmW3vFtN0s0Id73GPFimABAz2NnDHYThdHaA65VugsMMIh1UU2yLyQ0k4y2Vquy4kbNe5iJDLq44aApqevS_Cy1km7pBfnLGItQ6hUM_gedLGsEVLlg/s2048/399576392_7050965034938957_3997314186060959002_n%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWaAzQhuIsjw-UCEBG_6KcxfXi_BtooJzHZR0mTyFH7-nV0kvAvAAp7-JjNmJ0sDqHCDwmxHfCmW3vFtN0s0Id73GPFimABAz2NnDHYThdHaA65VugsMMIh1UU2yLyQ0k4y2Vquy4kbNe5iJDLq44aApqevS_Cy1km7pBfnLGItQ6hUM_gedLGsEVLlg/w640-h480/399576392_7050965034938957_3997314186060959002_n%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiacaill Coire Sneachda on Thursday</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>The colder temperatures and snowfall on Wednesday has brought snow back to the Cairngorms. It was good to get out for a romp around the Fiacaill Coire Sneachda on Thursday. This is a firm favourite route of mine, I've climbed it more than 200 times in winter and lost count how many traverses in summer. It was the first time out with the ironmongery this season.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhG0K7hRbJtCAGtMQOKFwEVIDORVSCFeBIqk1ng6YsMNgNFmhSU8SKdSz3hdFdREq1s6ewKhQYEoBxQzi-Ot5Li3SaWuB6baJ3PElSvnqgjKpJ3ymnVwM-l_EHwD5RJA1CxNmf0JjgSS72wUNuCVfpV1ZCtg3TRA6ztvSSmr9suZGmcWCz7R-FNYoqr8/s2048/399241250_7050969224938538_4782985156781714698_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhG0K7hRbJtCAGtMQOKFwEVIDORVSCFeBIqk1ng6YsMNgNFmhSU8SKdSz3hdFdREq1s6ewKhQYEoBxQzi-Ot5Li3SaWuB6baJ3PElSvnqgjKpJ3ymnVwM-l_EHwD5RJA1CxNmf0JjgSS72wUNuCVfpV1ZCtg3TRA6ztvSSmr9suZGmcWCz7R-FNYoqr8/w640-h480/399241250_7050969224938538_4782985156781714698_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fingers Ridge in the sun</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhm7cIVKk1_MNZHOx0m__IqTGhPgHQIqnD7l6mxo17BPRN3VL_oWjIFoL3RN9WcuJmFTTh_i3hEdpxM3HRZgYNxiMhZqtLNQh6qDADo_cTVZSMmV-PDtWN5Tl3iNMuJgBU8KEFWLFLQj-y6XrbZJuev2Zxx25qMyR9xY960D5OygHUHVCnMIRUOryQ4Q/s2048/400389738_7050968561605271_876027579270637003_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhm7cIVKk1_MNZHOx0m__IqTGhPgHQIqnD7l6mxo17BPRN3VL_oWjIFoL3RN9WcuJmFTTh_i3hEdpxM3HRZgYNxiMhZqtLNQh6qDADo_cTVZSMmV-PDtWN5Tl3iNMuJgBU8KEFWLFLQj-y6XrbZJuev2Zxx25qMyR9xY960D5OygHUHVCnMIRUOryQ4Q/w640-h480/400389738_7050968561605271_876027579270637003_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiacaill in profile</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Every ascent is different. I like to walk into Coire an Sneachda and ascend onto the ridge from there. There were a few climbers out getting some early routes in. I also spotted a few ptarmigan. On the walk in to the coire I also passed 2 groups of folk who didn't even looked dressed for summer, never mind winter. I'm always amazed to se two folk with only 1 rucksack between them. Why is this? Email me the answer please :)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6oU9Hp1lzTncZ6rtma_KKmQ4A_Crcu94YV5Lnye543BgqV_AYD0tcJhHKwwhnhUWfFQMbCfLy1sCNMwkKigSHSmnxOyhHsEdO0F7OIBvb_r7Xra_o4XR27ig2h1v30d2syxYgxBAIv-R8at0Vk1GBNSiYgubdXiSNfTVR-OFxEHsQHk8fLJ_ErdvJCg/s2048/400537275_7050967108272083_6693729330500947017_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6oU9Hp1lzTncZ6rtma_KKmQ4A_Crcu94YV5Lnye543BgqV_AYD0tcJhHKwwhnhUWfFQMbCfLy1sCNMwkKigSHSmnxOyhHsEdO0F7OIBvb_r7Xra_o4XR27ig2h1v30d2syxYgxBAIv-R8at0Vk1GBNSiYgubdXiSNfTVR-OFxEHsQHk8fLJ_ErdvJCg/w640-h480/400537275_7050967108272083_6693729330500947017_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cold minus 4 C on the tops</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY6IvSnyLLM9alUVPR_4-Cq9W3zjPmen4qxV3VuNwI4j464btqxgKpICPIdOdhkYah83l1AhFH1L-IJubh7kltR0oRCGQViV8hjb6Y4z1RPy_BTk3nXa3P9GcMynjaSl4T_fewlmPFlrFwOsgLSRNIbrgZ0KLvcvOMRq5cNliEtKdOVEhCZcnoGv95jI/s2048/399541442_7050972454938215_3432956613497765823_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY6IvSnyLLM9alUVPR_4-Cq9W3zjPmen4qxV3VuNwI4j464btqxgKpICPIdOdhkYah83l1AhFH1L-IJubh7kltR0oRCGQViV8hjb6Y4z1RPy_BTk3nXa3P9GcMynjaSl4T_fewlmPFlrFwOsgLSRNIbrgZ0KLvcvOMRq5cNliEtKdOVEhCZcnoGv95jI/w640-h480/399541442_7050972454938215_3432956613497765823_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice afternoon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It was a cloudy start but the sun kept coming and going and made for some wonderful conditions. A few light snow flurries and some windblown snow throughout the day. There were some wonderful bright spells too. Forecast was minus 4 C on Cairn Gorm today, with a 30mph windchill. It is winter! There is a thin layer of snow above 800m. No rime ice and a lot of rocks poking through, making awkward but fun climbing on the ridge. Some water ice and some frozen turf. Obviously conditions change day to day in the Scottish mountains, but it is winter. Lets hope some of the folk wandering about dressed like its summer realise this!</p><p><br /></p><p>On Monday I was out photographing Ptarmigan. A bright start with only a bit of snow above 1100m. Nice to count bout 20 ptarmigan in one location and then another pair in a different area,</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGy8KM1ZDMnTu9-svicPkYGGwXaecCMNvHvX5gcJndMCOp0g1VZZuLoRxflpq3mh_5RNYkyA_v-nCnQ4L2si8h9YupdE-u-eYdqt5NZs4ogL4vf05R-iSkrA-UMeX187KGr6PfEYKhPtnma8Z1kAy4rtmCrpaeQY8URWSUOJyabPbqyAHz78k46l_CopY/s4402/IP7A3845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2970" data-original-width="4402" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGy8KM1ZDMnTu9-svicPkYGGwXaecCMNvHvX5gcJndMCOp0g1VZZuLoRxflpq3mh_5RNYkyA_v-nCnQ4L2si8h9YupdE-u-eYdqt5NZs4ogL4vf05R-iSkrA-UMeX187KGr6PfEYKhPtnma8Z1kAy4rtmCrpaeQY8URWSUOJyabPbqyAHz78k46l_CopY/w640-h432/IP7A3845.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ptarmigan well camouflaged at 1150m</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5ikMlK7E-XQspxq4mJDT0SeuMlGkbRIesQ_g1EzY5fOReKoWIRvqCLmjrWqPclJNVXenMAiKzDAF3d9eySKGWS6TeaN-CQQzx3ilJrJprBCH_RGuTLLNazH1PHv_ZLg8flWVt19qYbufaFCXtzKnztQoqbkGIW1HHiyc51FkhwhA0Ck033CGdUyPqg8/s4917/IP7A3901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3121" data-original-width="4917" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5ikMlK7E-XQspxq4mJDT0SeuMlGkbRIesQ_g1EzY5fOReKoWIRvqCLmjrWqPclJNVXenMAiKzDAF3d9eySKGWS6TeaN-CQQzx3ilJrJprBCH_RGuTLLNazH1PHv_ZLg8flWVt19qYbufaFCXtzKnztQoqbkGIW1HHiyc51FkhwhA0Ck033CGdUyPqg8/w640-h406/IP7A3901.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit lower down and no snow cover</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-27836208867499372142023-11-05T16:59:00.001+00:002023-11-08T17:11:39.881+00:00TEMPERATURE INVERSIONS<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijapgO-P9GtSifIBUBSv5gzpqkRKYjrkMa1zHk-m2R0Wc31rcd0_WtzVa2jo50GU3m94w8y2LgyW7RXPUHkdDNch1pS6uWIXg2CpA5V7YbqUDAQZgqSGnVeg1kqj_SnXHsZSW5Qa9K9_YaVFBILrdsRtpIYNmO8MT409WCVs0Vf3fqVJfl-y3Dm2P8ozE/s6240/DSCF1083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijapgO-P9GtSifIBUBSv5gzpqkRKYjrkMa1zHk-m2R0Wc31rcd0_WtzVa2jo50GU3m94w8y2LgyW7RXPUHkdDNch1pS6uWIXg2CpA5V7YbqUDAQZgqSGnVeg1kqj_SnXHsZSW5Qa9K9_YaVFBILrdsRtpIYNmO8MT409WCVs0Vf3fqVJfl-y3Dm2P8ozE/w640-h426/DSCF1083.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning light through the clouds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>November has got off to cracking start. A dusting of occasional snow and ice on the tops, light winds and we still have the Autumn colours hanging on in the Strath. On Sunday I had a terrific day photographing the beautiful and atmospheric cloud conditions.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62el-26Ux-N9H5IzNzlRuTvIIexXiTdkf2lgmsCxWjA_Lgh4Z7Bx9DIXo_ucZ0hIWVrgPZat2sKfGGHZ7ZkqDQShQ8UZJYBYMmX2wkf9at9XJmnjye1KZsx8hPJmnuljrGUHya1_fjDqSCPSKDIdbpCARF3ZXndW4sSKRRkDvtjb8e8OQs8khJVZahSk/s6240/DSCF1074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62el-26Ux-N9H5IzNzlRuTvIIexXiTdkf2lgmsCxWjA_Lgh4Z7Bx9DIXo_ucZ0hIWVrgPZat2sKfGGHZ7ZkqDQShQ8UZJYBYMmX2wkf9at9XJmnjye1KZsx8hPJmnuljrGUHya1_fjDqSCPSKDIdbpCARF3ZXndW4sSKRRkDvtjb8e8OQs8khJVZahSk/w640-h426/DSCF1074.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn colours still vibrant</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It was another morning of low cloud and fog in the strath. Good chances of the hills poking into clear skies. I only had to walk up to 500m before I was in warm sunshine. But on the way up there was mesmerising light, colour, cloud conditions.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiSnO6ixySZTN5lLgHLxOlLWWmf1sJfU4qo8z5FVtgf1ysRhh0DOVuNBPsaFI8JGLK4jQ6vwObrP5ELxcVLECuVZQk-9DS8pu09D6VApOolXrciwQplw4vGt5RTTpf-X0XURdA0GtsTEOXjkyHXGoQr1dj2_ohoF3ccjr5GlCnPNs7oCGkR7JTkfH3OE/s6240/DSCF1075%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiSnO6ixySZTN5lLgHLxOlLWWmf1sJfU4qo8z5FVtgf1ysRhh0DOVuNBPsaFI8JGLK4jQ6vwObrP5ELxcVLECuVZQk-9DS8pu09D6VApOolXrciwQplw4vGt5RTTpf-X0XURdA0GtsTEOXjkyHXGoQr1dj2_ohoF3ccjr5GlCnPNs7oCGkR7JTkfH3OE/w640-h426/DSCF1075%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud dispersing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW7rQvmCDk7tnxhO6Ys8QrFgrTRweTK2gbu4KnbPtp1U_n7sg2K_mjjzdMqgSwZPuMD1SEyvbbLNPm5jeL88Opwld_8dOYzLOF4ct1Hqv96t3jsC4YKYrbP0gZyzRKoR8A4y3pmIq9vEY1nq_SOQBkGNen9Ds47iwPSNEv6nfaSXfIAy5UBWbTA-7Ppw/s6240/DSCF1079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW7rQvmCDk7tnxhO6Ys8QrFgrTRweTK2gbu4KnbPtp1U_n7sg2K_mjjzdMqgSwZPuMD1SEyvbbLNPm5jeL88Opwld_8dOYzLOF4ct1Hqv96t3jsC4YKYrbP0gZyzRKoR8A4y3pmIq9vEY1nq_SOQBkGNen9Ds47iwPSNEv6nfaSXfIAy5UBWbTA-7Ppw/w640-h426/DSCF1079.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mesmerising</td></tr></tbody></table>The light and sun was changing within seconds, not minutes. Camera always in hand to capture it.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdg2bjh8PyhqXnQmo4fw2WJrp7effrI_bqtZoY4X6IhaM0jbltzHhdgi-zd9SqggHNKoPWoMQqfDFHGr9idkEviUrBxsL0W6YPwjHuhqre_kCG57QkTU8GVO64RepSWD1cOIFZZf766k8ap7XBgwVtPp-M37g5APQhBCjYnBjCEEiGh0hC1bgo-GYkcCE/s6240/DSCF1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdg2bjh8PyhqXnQmo4fw2WJrp7effrI_bqtZoY4X6IhaM0jbltzHhdgi-zd9SqggHNKoPWoMQqfDFHGr9idkEviUrBxsL0W6YPwjHuhqre_kCG57QkTU8GVO64RepSWD1cOIFZZf766k8ap7XBgwVtPp-M37g5APQhBCjYnBjCEEiGh0hC1bgo-GYkcCE/w640-h426/DSCF1096.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVl8jWWwfW2j5x722ba0sT3hwuXIZrHTD-Y5_gSTzUXA2T2DPLA35LppgkHzH1jl3xAwjiaKc8GXaRzqlZPQyU9lz4G_MOErdyCoUJ8TorAPubaqh0YvJAGAcuk03N2YMA-v_bHGBmppSLGRotgfAdZc5ImKCevjz6T_zSO0Gr9-jtd_FK1ueOD0ht4U/s6240/DSCF1085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVl8jWWwfW2j5x722ba0sT3hwuXIZrHTD-Y5_gSTzUXA2T2DPLA35LppgkHzH1jl3xAwjiaKc8GXaRzqlZPQyU9lz4G_MOErdyCoUJ8TorAPubaqh0YvJAGAcuk03N2YMA-v_bHGBmppSLGRotgfAdZc5ImKCevjz6T_zSO0Gr9-jtd_FK1ueOD0ht4U/w640-h426/DSCF1085.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Finally I emerged into the sun and looking back the cloud was dissolving by mid day. The magic was starting to disappear.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkAMrAOUEPGpMq9alCwQsP0_nV_vciufjh7EQcM7KEWNqZuaFfXRXMKN23qDlNrbMpo0j-2hAYCWFCBcT4n3kO7EjjgJIzzEuYGhAKcKylmNTl9bI6XJtjXozBI844srIpIyr9wpGek_rmiqP-zTHFHsYoDHuFOQNvhpujf9ja0KJceEUuvx766fUv3U/s6010/DSCF1134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4007" data-original-width="6010" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkAMrAOUEPGpMq9alCwQsP0_nV_vciufjh7EQcM7KEWNqZuaFfXRXMKN23qDlNrbMpo0j-2hAYCWFCBcT4n3kO7EjjgJIzzEuYGhAKcKylmNTl9bI6XJtjXozBI844srIpIyr9wpGek_rmiqP-zTHFHsYoDHuFOQNvhpujf9ja0KJceEUuvx766fUv3U/w640-h426/DSCF1134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4uEz9ZvafZTSg-ye0v_XzdmHFcLoknJSv6E5epd-tX6jOAgCS1SpTd1NEB_PcwJ18AbBCYGvgozYF9NvhbjiBIv2Z7cGX2wO-FsUcPT2K5BmUjozMoq5kbkvnFqfU4WsoF_qsIKmrtG8CddD9H-aPHYQaVcRBJiQRLfGPBXOG4GGwh8qKN0VD3lZdO8/s6010/DSCF1115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4007" data-original-width="6010" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4uEz9ZvafZTSg-ye0v_XzdmHFcLoknJSv6E5epd-tX6jOAgCS1SpTd1NEB_PcwJ18AbBCYGvgozYF9NvhbjiBIv2Z7cGX2wO-FsUcPT2K5BmUjozMoq5kbkvnFqfU4WsoF_qsIKmrtG8CddD9H-aPHYQaVcRBJiQRLfGPBXOG4GGwh8qKN0VD3lZdO8/w640-h426/DSCF1115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The finale to the day, spending over an hour with this beautiful wee mountain hare. I've been seeing and photographing him since late summer. He is just coming into his winter pelage. Another 10-14 days and I think he will be fully white and ready for his first winter season.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZRKgmZNKRPRuN40lf0V98FhWpDADSbilZ-QqvVk1Aps2PSB9EyiJav-dpieP4EDLP0W25Wdv2sB0SGUr9Dv2zfqz2IaoakNPg2FbFNuyz6GQG3otkBiS0BrXl8Keca7YuI22Q8_6JBCiRTNHKY2_Ejv5BQwCGk5AO4PvOE3IXasHO62ZkWu7V2eo_Uw/s5106/IP7A3827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3303" data-original-width="5106" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZRKgmZNKRPRuN40lf0V98FhWpDADSbilZ-QqvVk1Aps2PSB9EyiJav-dpieP4EDLP0W25Wdv2sB0SGUr9Dv2zfqz2IaoakNPg2FbFNuyz6GQG3otkBiS0BrXl8Keca7YuI22Q8_6JBCiRTNHKY2_Ejv5BQwCGk5AO4PvOE3IXasHO62ZkWu7V2eo_Uw/w640-h414/IP7A3827.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wee guys first change into winter pelage</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-80265265054736691712023-11-04T16:08:00.001+00:002023-11-08T16:58:47.531+00:00GUIDED WALKING IN ASSYNT<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebQvsTsxM5ihSqn9C75Rsb8tdPGfye-Ke34s2LirmWOVO1vWB1AF2Z6zct4MpCgBJC8eKBn1fbCQMYFAxwkHUiQLrFtlW8Nsljirj0LqczZKp2cbcJh5khQVTD6zto-3NpO71b3qAfc1IBQNSW02eNX-m_-P7p_-jFGAcPEyEbXcHK4VXuyqi70xNM1U/s6240/DSCF1003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebQvsTsxM5ihSqn9C75Rsb8tdPGfye-Ke34s2LirmWOVO1vWB1AF2Z6zct4MpCgBJC8eKBn1fbCQMYFAxwkHUiQLrFtlW8Nsljirj0LqczZKp2cbcJh5khQVTD6zto-3NpO71b3qAfc1IBQNSW02eNX-m_-P7p_-jFGAcPEyEbXcHK4VXuyqi70xNM1U/w640-h426/DSCF1003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stunning view of Suilven</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>On Saturday I was guiding Flora up in the beautiful area of Assynt. She booked a last minute guided walk with me, just by chance it coincided with a stunning weather day!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhrcuEspyCHdNrgtR0W0HoAzslykH68Xg5CtSkU2AdlOs5s438tCCk4wOZobYYpfhj5-C8JAjl8LgaMa2aD_pqIQy_jBDCoTRbsLakR-HEVCncjhqwOExNLWh1bCnBo6tvwYfJ9O-HN0agHs6r7WkVfqpIMknvpvtjPpJQtyNohw9AFTd34Eq9Q1l7mU/s6010/DSCF0990%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4007" data-original-width="6010" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhrcuEspyCHdNrgtR0W0HoAzslykH68Xg5CtSkU2AdlOs5s438tCCk4wOZobYYpfhj5-C8JAjl8LgaMa2aD_pqIQy_jBDCoTRbsLakR-HEVCncjhqwOExNLWh1bCnBo6tvwYfJ9O-HN0agHs6r7WkVfqpIMknvpvtjPpJQtyNohw9AFTd34Eq9Q1l7mU/w640-h426/DSCF0990%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful weather on our way up Cul Mor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Flora had been on Stac Pollaidh a couple of years ago and was transfixed with the beautiful scenery and mountains in this area. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFeVfLcRX3ssjALnICba_dfkHHMzsU1nbbr30giYPPpBW2zplhthBOZEXEpLjGsvVLaZhOBZHwnXG0peZaoHOLBVFly7bJdl9plBaF9x47Mn_qwxzFzetqNXjBCKFWkWRH5TTABc3JvCXuGPO10_ur-ZxB_93BxF1SJ-vBns9GTNrQJyVt5JoXfYVqrw/s6240/DSCF0986.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFeVfLcRX3ssjALnICba_dfkHHMzsU1nbbr30giYPPpBW2zplhthBOZEXEpLjGsvVLaZhOBZHwnXG0peZaoHOLBVFly7bJdl9plBaF9x47Mn_qwxzFzetqNXjBCKFWkWRH5TTABc3JvCXuGPO10_ur-ZxB_93BxF1SJ-vBns9GTNrQJyVt5JoXfYVqrw/w640-h426/DSCF0986.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVDvEflxy__aTj4mhnyUKdskFCemxLTaZBhzsK5IXCJIE5KRVVC57hws7XSV5MyVHHhJXk9rXaxmkUJTyvg5dToKrZ8Jua86FNVxN0hNnAdEaP9IQNv5mrrD08xcVI16WVsLvjbhs6YqPQuh8fBdwzFJoMoa0Y3RAIW39EQXekhzsrid1F0cqYUraNI8/s6240/DSCF1018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVDvEflxy__aTj4mhnyUKdskFCemxLTaZBhzsK5IXCJIE5KRVVC57hws7XSV5MyVHHhJXk9rXaxmkUJTyvg5dToKrZ8Jua86FNVxN0hNnAdEaP9IQNv5mrrD08xcVI16WVsLvjbhs6YqPQuh8fBdwzFJoMoa0Y3RAIW39EQXekhzsrid1F0cqYUraNI8/w640-h426/DSCF1018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkD-g0u-wJGYpLtXjL8Lndk_1ZoWdFEfy4qoQ990h6L8rdZDg3icGxp2LlQnnnTtdoXVsrUQM9Ciec-8G8dw3ZCFHIunUcs_emQRBQdHdTuGF1FkIgKC33IKy-CWsTA4gHnrxrJlT6wfurMZMgKf_-SfLwKayJ5OH3nH9q-Z6VdEgnJnCu0AQoAkOAggc/s6240/DSCF1025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkD-g0u-wJGYpLtXjL8Lndk_1ZoWdFEfy4qoQ990h6L8rdZDg3icGxp2LlQnnnTtdoXVsrUQM9Ciec-8G8dw3ZCFHIunUcs_emQRBQdHdTuGF1FkIgKC33IKy-CWsTA4gHnrxrJlT6wfurMZMgKf_-SfLwKayJ5OH3nH9q-Z6VdEgnJnCu0AQoAkOAggc/w640-h426/DSCF1025.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I'll let the photos do the talking!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBAWfNcaJSifSXBWXPL0H8gfqjcCfgWnEa-1mo5Aa0kYXHtlW0RngVxtcZzMnAg3XoN14H38q1-4g_uGdWhnsNOKxetX-XCRBF3XyGb__recX6jCKFhiFOxf0y1q3IMB2OmWJRUFSuKleZCmvfooQbXKGfG4xsO1c9b27kycOQrthRTkzrzKGr4Tkt8A/s6122/DSCF1021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4082" data-original-width="6122" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBAWfNcaJSifSXBWXPL0H8gfqjcCfgWnEa-1mo5Aa0kYXHtlW0RngVxtcZzMnAg3XoN14H38q1-4g_uGdWhnsNOKxetX-XCRBF3XyGb__recX6jCKFhiFOxf0y1q3IMB2OmWJRUFSuKleZCmvfooQbXKGfG4xsO1c9b27kycOQrthRTkzrzKGr4Tkt8A/w640-h426/DSCF1021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaC5d39mPFp5DbD-Qtqjic0M-7jd0CEw9IVUIRIHgV0_6HtDPTWqRvOocSIwGfyML9L2jw3Z6mzjY90ZPETOfnPp_r1QV2UEXoLEGQ5XQytax4bQ0HrYaNTooJS_ushvaizrXDb8tOcZE6bVFENSaohxoqthe0ThMylqBxP58nlhLE9J343xWXKUIR7U/s6240/DSCF1027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaC5d39mPFp5DbD-Qtqjic0M-7jd0CEw9IVUIRIHgV0_6HtDPTWqRvOocSIwGfyML9L2jw3Z6mzjY90ZPETOfnPp_r1QV2UEXoLEGQ5XQytax4bQ0HrYaNTooJS_ushvaizrXDb8tOcZE6bVFENSaohxoqthe0ThMylqBxP58nlhLE9J343xWXKUIR7U/w640-h426/DSCF1027.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIVfJ3Npaq6NEFfz-_HTCYo4Jute51bnK7iR91uerVhNPhA06ICA3QPGZa72G_7B18HhdETA1EZe_Xfa3NZ1H-7bhw5zoZ4Oh-wzDB5yXYmxdByMB2fZzagSJLxI6qVUAx4DZzPtl7TbqgHoeD6QEuQiztSg41mH6Tzr0jGuIcX4lpt-hLkfLYjS69FU/s6240/DSCF1041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIVfJ3Npaq6NEFfz-_HTCYo4Jute51bnK7iR91uerVhNPhA06ICA3QPGZa72G_7B18HhdETA1EZe_Xfa3NZ1H-7bhw5zoZ4Oh-wzDB5yXYmxdByMB2fZzagSJLxI6qVUAx4DZzPtl7TbqgHoeD6QEuQiztSg41mH6Tzr0jGuIcX4lpt-hLkfLYjS69FU/w640-h426/DSCF1041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJwrs-Y4pGkN9x3qlBjWPMnNzukCuZYmlpena1imAGGPMSXHVl8y-CfBrmlE-MMG0Mobpehn4OnIeAIcC-IpQUUNDDHA2-nHSzrHncUlIOJA1Yu4P35hO4LBtX3vYsXivlGDt01-nMVW1X-6_FfkgqNKZR39ckGeaRiRBD6yRwCiAIhjAW6_zUU1qLio/s6240/DSCF1031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJwrs-Y4pGkN9x3qlBjWPMnNzukCuZYmlpena1imAGGPMSXHVl8y-CfBrmlE-MMG0Mobpehn4OnIeAIcC-IpQUUNDDHA2-nHSzrHncUlIOJA1Yu4P35hO4LBtX3vYsXivlGDt01-nMVW1X-6_FfkgqNKZR39ckGeaRiRBD6yRwCiAIhjAW6_zUU1qLio/w640-h426/DSCF1031.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Flora was gobsmacked by the incredible scenery. She's already talking about a <a href="https://www.tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk/2-day-winter-skills-scotland.html" target="_blank">winter course with Tarmachan Mountaineering</a> this coming season.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiEhFhyphenhyphenAGi33DlG4nVF2T56r2bvKBRkXxWLzFXnc2ROipdPf6raF3yCauv2Q8cU0-U1yZ723XhYo9w4JlprBUx4jkbsgbDCf8LuDH7guf5cSwMkpBJe0-PkD8CFl51ogRTAJtOmHnnIIGDkAcxM7xgt2yD-FS_EzYefB0ZkpAIOqyYTBh5H6Qz17jLDk/s6240/DSCF1053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiEhFhyphenhyphenAGi33DlG4nVF2T56r2bvKBRkXxWLzFXnc2ROipdPf6raF3yCauv2Q8cU0-U1yZ723XhYo9w4JlprBUx4jkbsgbDCf8LuDH7guf5cSwMkpBJe0-PkD8CFl51ogRTAJtOmHnnIIGDkAcxM7xgt2yD-FS_EzYefB0ZkpAIOqyYTBh5H6Qz17jLDk/w640-h426/DSCF1053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5V_uDXkv5WSLc0JYpSVsbAxG86ugRz9LmlLx9wgeDdC-bwA-tDvI7RREDam3Y5d2IM8HpI47vCwKr_b6Cpho7-fSaDXgQf-bMyQtgpkr06zVgoZR0Lw-uADG-9AfR4XKoq181Qw8wSLqGJnz2oNJf52gu-VLoaMzsCm-KPmIFlcDxS3Lhf-MYqokXhSg/s6155/DSCF1055%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3364" data-original-width="6155" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5V_uDXkv5WSLc0JYpSVsbAxG86ugRz9LmlLx9wgeDdC-bwA-tDvI7RREDam3Y5d2IM8HpI47vCwKr_b6Cpho7-fSaDXgQf-bMyQtgpkr06zVgoZR0Lw-uADG-9AfR4XKoq181Qw8wSLqGJnz2oNJf52gu-VLoaMzsCm-KPmIFlcDxS3Lhf-MYqokXhSg/w640-h350/DSCF1055%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cHZ51JQTk8LWLOtDgA6rTXon0-_49Fza4vLmt8ch22AA43Vp4_stC8RVSaQZSr2-T9A57UoUiuVujrC-xT6KCNiOo3_R44wN874vvL32BPChS81E0aqXwswX1TJJxnbL18zK7dHxo56wCWhiOJDn7oIN7l04fNm-SVsMMCf5eJFDpt6tNbmuPA2-FfE/s6105/DSCF1064.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3558" data-original-width="6105" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cHZ51JQTk8LWLOtDgA6rTXon0-_49Fza4vLmt8ch22AA43Vp4_stC8RVSaQZSr2-T9A57UoUiuVujrC-xT6KCNiOo3_R44wN874vvL32BPChS81E0aqXwswX1TJJxnbL18zK7dHxo56wCWhiOJDn7oIN7l04fNm-SVsMMCf5eJFDpt6tNbmuPA2-FfE/w640-h372/DSCF1064.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-74206755220748476182023-11-01T13:32:00.001+00:002023-11-01T13:32:08.394+00:00WINTER SEASON BEGINS<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdZF0wpVneC6_JJUYvNl9ZD38WNNsxQtF9RHPtCbbPM77rjSCX5IidGVrIgmkl06bJej_h5m56EUJmexJ5KasYGZx5H87q7RmloL_KO7x4bqRWk2pWXIE9FP4j5tRmDJTOThfRr22c5DeflWhgcXeWVk4eULkzKt6_gnc9ME5bWjX0yrGjiQXfGBL0t4/s2048/396936569_7018277294874398_4271910406974573504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdZF0wpVneC6_JJUYvNl9ZD38WNNsxQtF9RHPtCbbPM77rjSCX5IidGVrIgmkl06bJej_h5m56EUJmexJ5KasYGZx5H87q7RmloL_KO7x4bqRWk2pWXIE9FP4j5tRmDJTOThfRr22c5DeflWhgcXeWVk4eULkzKt6_gnc9ME5bWjX0yrGjiQXfGBL0t4/w480-h640/396936569_7018277294874398_4271910406974573504_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairngorm plateau, Tuesday</td></tr></tbody></table>The first day of November is (in my eyes) the start of the winter season. Short daylight, colder temperatures, more chance of snow with colder air. We've already enjoyed some fine days in snowy conditions. On Monday and Tuesday this week the temperatures lowered again to around minus 3-4 C on the Cairngorm summits. We had a sprinkling of snow above 1000m and the ground was frozen. The next few days it is forecast to snow and as I write this there is wet snow and sleet falling outside in Aviemore.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M4cS-CEmavyRvA5sVQ_ERuJAPk8tm-2kaMrHvN_K90TnFjyDRDIMro8UFL_bYUtOM0jHjAdwg8zopF9p-LXlpOHZWL01IsK-aOuaaQ8lGCgRlGylYSlaNcrgb-JGj2iM82Ily1wDUReTLhSW1ONxe2h51gwW01xlj8c3Sv5aBpmdPiAObmdw_o665yI/s2048/397054232_7014429425259185_3698512181968251964_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M4cS-CEmavyRvA5sVQ_ERuJAPk8tm-2kaMrHvN_K90TnFjyDRDIMro8UFL_bYUtOM0jHjAdwg8zopF9p-LXlpOHZWL01IsK-aOuaaQ8lGCgRlGylYSlaNcrgb-JGj2iM82Ily1wDUReTLhSW1ONxe2h51gwW01xlj8c3Sv5aBpmdPiAObmdw_o665yI/w640-h480/397054232_7014429425259185_3698512181968251964_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn Gorm summit, Monday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli9-QPihd9267ObcpeRXyASjYUxWkmsFY1f0eCLmsn7z-9qKrHB3eEIN63q0wmKxymlSDe8LXXyGV2MQogYApE_O-2s_dpcjNBmKde2-7oxjgiIiyJauKtUt0Zy1do7E4HSjeMBC1yB7GlJWFxN-yzGh_PY6nBsp4BXhYMAJsujeIQ9E31g_bxuwnL6I/s2048/396900521_7018278748207586_2177169282800932903_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli9-QPihd9267ObcpeRXyASjYUxWkmsFY1f0eCLmsn7z-9qKrHB3eEIN63q0wmKxymlSDe8LXXyGV2MQogYApE_O-2s_dpcjNBmKde2-7oxjgiIiyJauKtUt0Zy1do7E4HSjeMBC1yB7GlJWFxN-yzGh_PY6nBsp4BXhYMAJsujeIQ9E31g_bxuwnL6I/w640-h480/396900521_7018278748207586_2177169282800932903_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen turf and rimed up grass above 900m, Tuesday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Tuesday was a glorious day and I was out photographing the Ptarmigan. It took me over 4 hours to reach this wee guy up at 1100m on the Cairngorm plateau. They are now well into their winter plumgae.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdsUqBsluBffLe6ZloIHB3XQ95RkYFszlnaxInXnkOv2_bggZyCqfmNZuBweNQ0DYAWdoFLNa9-pi0r3tKQsh0hySEDv9rvDoSRFMWv0mxqo_L6YR_yEGEXYjy24uQwiKV4pl3NH0Gm9JJUhvK2CLXahS7yPc4mxlZCIHtNFWa6h58ra6TDPqioE061c/s5000/IP7A3308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3076" data-original-width="5000" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdsUqBsluBffLe6ZloIHB3XQ95RkYFszlnaxInXnkOv2_bggZyCqfmNZuBweNQ0DYAWdoFLNa9-pi0r3tKQsh0hySEDv9rvDoSRFMWv0mxqo_L6YR_yEGEXYjy24uQwiKV4pl3NH0Gm9JJUhvK2CLXahS7yPc4mxlZCIHtNFWa6h58ra6TDPqioE061c/w640-h394/IP7A3308.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ptarmigan, Tuesday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>My winter courses are now available. Don't leave it too late to book, especially weekend dates. You can see <a href="https://www.tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk/2-day-winter-skills-scotland.html" target="_blank">details of all my courses in winter here</a>.</p><p>A few more photos fro my last couple of days. Wrap up warm and get the big boots on .</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaNhuhtTms_ZmwCW2WU6brsqHDjLfkgEVmfSn-hC8NvQ2F1jNMdQqzWDB6wSRuQXXTr6a9bFMBbtWQ6-ci6dE94gj7ANVJc-w0X6mga-EGRjVD_eR7l3H4IH3furJyE4SQ896c2oqL1KJOWZC0DWCs0KnqxkG4hEoZjYC6P64bMOPw0_OPH-WuEnI5qc/s640/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaNhuhtTms_ZmwCW2WU6brsqHDjLfkgEVmfSn-hC8NvQ2F1jNMdQqzWDB6wSRuQXXTr6a9bFMBbtWQ6-ci6dE94gj7ANVJc-w0X6mga-EGRjVD_eR7l3H4IH3furJyE4SQ896c2oqL1KJOWZC0DWCs0KnqxkG4hEoZjYC6P64bMOPw0_OPH-WuEnI5qc/w640-h480/025.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learn to navigate, paths are vanishing in snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjFGc2z7O3517W0xiL1luckejwQP0RQRnBt6Zoor_MkFm8HNC2UYmNxMxiPN_6FnbwKc0agFJzFWiV-tCISjDM1WqbBZ4hG4wxLdhyWN5zkKVYk87l-b3SLoR4weWbZg-BFRN1lDHvzo66YHGwUyauHu0NZmwWZr1oP-v5sSXvINAp5Cs_M_C6AJlqE0/s2048/396697136_7018277671541027_3450916250290717411_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjFGc2z7O3517W0xiL1luckejwQP0RQRnBt6Zoor_MkFm8HNC2UYmNxMxiPN_6FnbwKc0agFJzFWiV-tCISjDM1WqbBZ4hG4wxLdhyWN5zkKVYk87l-b3SLoR4weWbZg-BFRN1lDHvzo66YHGwUyauHu0NZmwWZr1oP-v5sSXvINAp5Cs_M_C6AJlqE0/w640-h480/396697136_7018277671541027_3450916250290717411_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn Lochan, Tuesday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0F-KpJlIN7imifPRTPtTFtEjmriCENqxBDra0VeMo4F5Ox8L79ie29afdM6OK6XgnMdyDbreq9kDSNqwbbcdJeqw0fBHFVAPDpAi1T1zUxKa8oqKFpl3yd1pKEIfFIk7icghGfCzDPbsbi2zQT0lO9wj6QIX5nX7JkXrQAvxriyrvBs0ea3lzVWi4jk/s2048/396711098_7018279831540811_8314381568654702497_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0F-KpJlIN7imifPRTPtTFtEjmriCENqxBDra0VeMo4F5Ox8L79ie29afdM6OK6XgnMdyDbreq9kDSNqwbbcdJeqw0fBHFVAPDpAi1T1zUxKa8oqKFpl3yd1pKEIfFIk7icghGfCzDPbsbi2zQT0lO9wj6QIX5nX7JkXrQAvxriyrvBs0ea3lzVWi4jk/w640-h480/396711098_7018279831540811_8314381568654702497_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely sunshine, Tuesday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke65G5I2_X684QfZi78u8Rk8lzPHifDhQnqMImiX-DBBIJ8NVF3olpkCXqKdtoYFmuPbAIdJxJflyoCdxKhTTJpnYnJpjUoOKNn9MucZfRJQdPcsTR7KVt0XLzPFz3-3uC3_VS2Y7vS-1ebhJklWVtNQLJRPnahE0QuOYnJG3iPuu6YXAQgU4PqzLUZA/s2048/396706849_7014432205258907_5847854284005398644_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke65G5I2_X684QfZi78u8Rk8lzPHifDhQnqMImiX-DBBIJ8NVF3olpkCXqKdtoYFmuPbAIdJxJflyoCdxKhTTJpnYnJpjUoOKNn9MucZfRJQdPcsTR7KVt0XLzPFz3-3uC3_VS2Y7vS-1ebhJklWVtNQLJRPnahE0QuOYnJG3iPuu6YXAQgU4PqzLUZA/w640-h480/396706849_7014432205258907_5847854284005398644_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn Gorm in last rays of sun, Monday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfc0QuaX7wbLOLmFRQPKKp0I1bjFVBdCck_VCnJ6EIP9YXdoFIKAufX1cSDL5GpWkUZ8ErMLdbwXnsExzXK6dMJZ1FVJgT4kJIKWmo-0P11UbPlltlwbk8aaNSrMvXyS24SR6O6iFkwERgjiL7xKjfxfQzJGGs3viCohfTWNNK4VsxCAlBqcYLw4sppY/s2048/396714119_7018281364873991_2459182242413223180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1637" data-original-width="2048" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfc0QuaX7wbLOLmFRQPKKp0I1bjFVBdCck_VCnJ6EIP9YXdoFIKAufX1cSDL5GpWkUZ8ErMLdbwXnsExzXK6dMJZ1FVJgT4kJIKWmo-0P11UbPlltlwbk8aaNSrMvXyS24SR6O6iFkwERgjiL7xKjfxfQzJGGs3viCohfTWNNK4VsxCAlBqcYLw4sppY/w640-h512/396714119_7018281364873991_2459182242413223180_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairngorm plateau, looking across to Ben Macdui, Tuesday</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-30046028128862475902023-10-29T12:21:00.004+00:002023-10-29T12:26:51.830+00:00AUTUMN INTO WINTER<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7bU2iG6MKgWoqWS3dgWeCVieYD9F7l_vavhXnlcDt_AgOn-THDTcnLcHQhhfQBfLBzte2X-Q4OOpqagBavKFPfd-rCjqbYg-EvXuoou7xH7NZ-FxkP0D79TyM0cssJaNUdVhXLfYvt-5i0fC0hXfFT3vD0tUJVvJ53Y7iQ08Iq8B4iPZ8Hec2WCcZVg/s6240/DSCF0915.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7bU2iG6MKgWoqWS3dgWeCVieYD9F7l_vavhXnlcDt_AgOn-THDTcnLcHQhhfQBfLBzte2X-Q4OOpqagBavKFPfd-rCjqbYg-EvXuoou7xH7NZ-FxkP0D79TyM0cssJaNUdVhXLfYvt-5i0fC0hXfFT3vD0tUJVvJ53Y7iQ08Iq8B4iPZ8Hec2WCcZVg/w640-h426/DSCF0915.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn colours in their prime, Strathspey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A timely reminder about headtorches. Even though you may plan to get down off the hill before dark, you may not! </span><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Everyone should be carrying a headtorch.</span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><p><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When <a style="cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>I first started out in the hills there wasn't a lot of choice in lighting. The classic Petzl Zoom with its big square battery and powerful ( </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="😉" class="xz74otr" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t57/1/16/1f609.png" style="border: 0px; object-fit: fill;" width="16" /></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> ) 1.5V bulb was what everyone had.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Petzl still produce the finest headlamps. They've evolved over the decades. with many new models coming on the scene almost every year. There is now a wide choice of torches to choose from. The big gamechanger is lithium rechargeable batteries and halogen bulbs.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Many torches are now rechargeable and with varying levels of luminosity ( brightness). Some are just charged up with a permanent, in situ battery. Others the rechargeable lithium battery is removable to be charged as a separate unit.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">The torches I now carry are all rechargeable, thankfully. I no longer need to carry spare nickel/cadmium throwaway batteries, better for the environment and better for my wallet!<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I will always have 1 torch in my rucksack, even in the height of Summer. This time of year I will have 2 headtorches. My main torch (Active Core) plus a backup torch. The main torch has a removable lithium, rechargeable battery. I take a fully charged spare battery for this. I also carry my wee spare backup torch. The Petzl Bindi is a fab wee light and weighs very little.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">If I plan on being out during darkness, with groups on night navigation courses I also have a larger, more powerful torch. <br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Why orange? I want to find them easily in the dark </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="😉" class="xz74otr" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t57/1/16/1f609.png" style="border: 0px; object-fit: fill;" width="16" /></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">By the way, I'm not sponsored by Petzl. They just make the best torches. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="🙂" class="xz74otr" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t4c/1/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px; object-fit: fill;" width="16" /></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQjwWjL4PHxSWw2Nde4pc6QKobKt6vtrIIrEtvoKDL5itOiF6ddhkvJOqRV7QvOxqcmjEQFMMyn58XU-jk42FnHPtzj1QZHkFTndtIqHNGVakBO4oJMn365ZGi17Rywc3XqpzqIrxeRzR4EblBqHXp5MVekjMpjY-FQXVOeSXqNjmuxH3kjNH075faiU/s960/396103408_7002121863156608_3355518387917135288_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQjwWjL4PHxSWw2Nde4pc6QKobKt6vtrIIrEtvoKDL5itOiF6ddhkvJOqRV7QvOxqcmjEQFMMyn58XU-jk42FnHPtzj1QZHkFTndtIqHNGVakBO4oJMn365ZGi17Rywc3XqpzqIrxeRzR4EblBqHXp5MVekjMpjY-FQXVOeSXqNjmuxH3kjNH075faiU/w640-h480/396103408_7002121863156608_3355518387917135288_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My current choice of lighting</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">Wednesday 25th October.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">Out this morning capturing the Autumn foliage in Strathspey, less than an hours walk from my house. A favourite spot to see the Autumn shades in all their glory. It was a dull, misty and drizzly morning so not getting the images I was quite after.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">This week is normally the finest period for the Autumn colours. A great time to be out with the camera, especially if you get clear, frosty mornings. The colours are at their prime. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">The <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>weather for the next few days isn't looking great, so if you're out in your area I would get some images while you can. By the end of October most of the leaves will have fallen, or blown away!</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7-7B5nHxni9VgTWyZtSlnj8Zgjo5CkpBUQQqaUaQNTj_pEKN08kLSuCFOBDgmxy8kPCz7VMJpkxYgMVJxV0uNpWwJSNDt7HWboQ6SnXW5-RVhNVguKYn1U05QRokP1zYcEno2SdzcZFZTehR4r0sehuQ1kxcFMdv4Q6VvsWIbytL581utOYtlZ_7zoU/s6240/DSCF0907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7-7B5nHxni9VgTWyZtSlnj8Zgjo5CkpBUQQqaUaQNTj_pEKN08kLSuCFOBDgmxy8kPCz7VMJpkxYgMVJxV0uNpWwJSNDt7HWboQ6SnXW5-RVhNVguKYn1U05QRokP1zYcEno2SdzcZFZTehR4r0sehuQ1kxcFMdv4Q6VvsWIbytL581utOYtlZ_7zoU/w640-h426/DSCF0907.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0gFn5vOS8IrlUeM1e97lHr3tVwA_i8vgTHy-VpQP1GcXUMUCgBGSi_mFFjocS-jF7wNkXx-KcET2vVp3ArNXATz3fsbCus6VC1vKgZdE7uw8MuSFV3UXIRRR0qafAokmfU2IdZeCQk0fDrYCTqjxGYFnvoJ5zeQZgKc7wSvAZcIcTswv54TOUo8e8RM/s6240/DSCF0922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0gFn5vOS8IrlUeM1e97lHr3tVwA_i8vgTHy-VpQP1GcXUMUCgBGSi_mFFjocS-jF7wNkXx-KcET2vVp3ArNXATz3fsbCus6VC1vKgZdE7uw8MuSFV3UXIRRR0qafAokmfU2IdZeCQk0fDrYCTqjxGYFnvoJ5zeQZgKc7wSvAZcIcTswv54TOUo8e8RM/w640-h426/DSCF0922.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmfRb9wdjecR-pTk-vHi1HrVW54ZPOT_TBvZ5ROm0Fx0qikgdNyOH1OPU8D8MZMeFDrg2pjFAEp8sv4eLXbOneClyw_T5lyL9PvMrUgVFTv1FBoJT3vzt_q_tzAa4LlfOQAPNe5HBtsUPi_unUuO5bo99mGJf6x7hal1wJRf2b7ZXVk6Z9WZ4378hpbQ/s6268/DSCF0924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3980" data-original-width="6268" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmfRb9wdjecR-pTk-vHi1HrVW54ZPOT_TBvZ5ROm0Fx0qikgdNyOH1OPU8D8MZMeFDrg2pjFAEp8sv4eLXbOneClyw_T5lyL9PvMrUgVFTv1FBoJT3vzt_q_tzAa4LlfOQAPNe5HBtsUPi_unUuO5bo99mGJf6x7hal1wJRf2b7ZXVk6Z9WZ4378hpbQ/w640-h406/DSCF0924.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id=":r4b:" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">Thursday 26th October. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">Some beautiful and atmospheric cloud this morning in Strathspey. A layer of fog in the Strath with some clearer air above 400m. The Autumn colours just beautiful and the hill lovely and peaceful. The high Cairngorms still have some snow. By the weekend it looks like more snowfall and high winds. All good.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2wdslyKdDD6lQTS_t4wH1JVqXPzwvQQ8pPGfSLO2pcY69hXWNfZVpZzh-8MYHlTPqa3BEFWTosw7pZ3h6j-vHqwMvqFLntMbCWixYgFjKghwWyt3ZcC50WKNHsx2cBL5_xqIWeLOIysLk0JXIdSziuXGhZtY959rIVcJ_PD9y-bpuAU6gfkChyphenhyphenqE5K4/s2048/396533314_6999300560105405_341359768456361307_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2wdslyKdDD6lQTS_t4wH1JVqXPzwvQQ8pPGfSLO2pcY69hXWNfZVpZzh-8MYHlTPqa3BEFWTosw7pZ3h6j-vHqwMvqFLntMbCWixYgFjKghwWyt3ZcC50WKNHsx2cBL5_xqIWeLOIysLk0JXIdSziuXGhZtY959rIVcJ_PD9y-bpuAU6gfkChyphenhyphenqE5K4/w640-h480/396533314_6999300560105405_341359768456361307_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFTOYHwu7I9V6Ppy7LX9Z-XBccCRIgWsq4WcS0xTEllvCJ-eOhCLxTYUxC-K18y6oEaCSq7G2REH8uoDDymacDHj3neUGHYvMk24MI2LhVTMfycKrNCkW9awJ_NoePEqlS78R4-0BmDzF9UI6mWPCki28EOqfi-cH5z5KPgNXHjH5VCo-S3dFBofGWuk/s2048/396546777_6999301310105330_4849280873935242186_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="2048" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFTOYHwu7I9V6Ppy7LX9Z-XBccCRIgWsq4WcS0xTEllvCJ-eOhCLxTYUxC-K18y6oEaCSq7G2REH8uoDDymacDHj3neUGHYvMk24MI2LhVTMfycKrNCkW9awJ_NoePEqlS78R4-0BmDzF9UI6mWPCki28EOqfi-cH5z5KPgNXHjH5VCo-S3dFBofGWuk/w640-h438/396546777_6999301310105330_4849280873935242186_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm02o7iavlurKQ96icLk5KeJR_uxzgzsQi5GuJb8GFRfUhBd78m9-RI7C8uTU5NxJ2RDqDAeY11KF_vzjqOjYk1NFrlVmccoRwmAFbHwuNtaXmj5ptzj-xfooGhl84XTPqn54yO9jDp21Nq080AZ3vF07km8hXXXZp2iHo3ddqVsN9WRi9kSk4ESomXcQ/s2048/396586710_6999301933438601_7071954016289914652_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="2048" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm02o7iavlurKQ96icLk5KeJR_uxzgzsQi5GuJb8GFRfUhBd78m9-RI7C8uTU5NxJ2RDqDAeY11KF_vzjqOjYk1NFrlVmccoRwmAFbHwuNtaXmj5ptzj-xfooGhl84XTPqn54yO9jDp21Nq080AZ3vF07km8hXXXZp2iHo3ddqVsN9WRi9kSk4ESomXcQ/w640-h370/396586710_6999301933438601_7071954016289914652_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbgRYVyk947CFeyWlZTpnuKSnZszbnKKKxG3wqBesORa7-yjZf-HuZ7QvmDxKfMO3XolnaQLKv2SGyd8uq59AY2vu0eANR5wx6YkrgvHmK0EMzTRKY5qP7Tkl9dLRTPfe3yPjERr5NVfmjEjX5bJCraTTRlJOPvxBi1hQ8iZDs_9pvvG8ZF01XkU2VWI/s2048/396689234_6999300840105377_2784395386004776782_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1375" data-original-width="2048" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbgRYVyk947CFeyWlZTpnuKSnZszbnKKKxG3wqBesORa7-yjZf-HuZ7QvmDxKfMO3XolnaQLKv2SGyd8uq59AY2vu0eANR5wx6YkrgvHmK0EMzTRKY5qP7Tkl9dLRTPfe3yPjERr5NVfmjEjX5bJCraTTRlJOPvxBi1hQ8iZDs_9pvvG8ZF01XkU2VWI/w640-h430/396689234_6999300840105377_2784395386004776782_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVx3PeogoVYeeNBLl6IiC6UBwqIoBVyQkOAXq7zQIvy7ITZO0Kr5axT9M8kss4rYduq3IyEEMdWI14E0xQrSV2F9lFrq0ThvYXWaKVM_VweN9uLUXJb34wUimkej6pZAEzPv_4Q_ymlldJ2SYr-dRANte6wnmy4y7DVfLInKuodwAOR9AK4Vis4uJP7w/s2048/396714863_6999300700105391_6352812407974059215_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVx3PeogoVYeeNBLl6IiC6UBwqIoBVyQkOAXq7zQIvy7ITZO0Kr5axT9M8kss4rYduq3IyEEMdWI14E0xQrSV2F9lFrq0ThvYXWaKVM_VweN9uLUXJb34wUimkej6pZAEzPv_4Q_ymlldJ2SYr-dRANte6wnmy4y7DVfLInKuodwAOR9AK4Vis4uJP7w/w640-h480/396714863_6999300700105391_6352812407974059215_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">Saturday 28th October.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">Waxwings, Elgin.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">These beautiful birds are Winter visitors to Scotland. They come over from Norway, usually in huge flocks called 'irruptions'. They love feasting on the red Rowan and Hawthorn berries.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">They <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>can quickly strip berries in a small area then move on to another area.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">Keep an eye out for them, especially if you're near Rowan trees.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">They can turn up anywhere, most often in parks and gardens in towns.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;">There are currently huge flocks of 100 or so in the Moray region.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweGQkPEUolPLDMtqRrPR4MqsjvFhrpGQQiJ12h_UPnpbno7zym_M6OJPRML5q75NVtkGDFrWYeDZ3a5Y7IaCGIytZZnjyWlJSHTuXedeiPfgk8wyavQcb2gwdBkclW4YUoSCddV2BYdiZ_Z6e5A9HjKas6WYunswa71fxK7wsF-3YQNy1rX2UtxP37d0/s4909/IP7A3175.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3235" data-original-width="4909" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweGQkPEUolPLDMtqRrPR4MqsjvFhrpGQQiJ12h_UPnpbno7zym_M6OJPRML5q75NVtkGDFrWYeDZ3a5Y7IaCGIytZZnjyWlJSHTuXedeiPfgk8wyavQcb2gwdBkclW4YUoSCddV2BYdiZ_Z6e5A9HjKas6WYunswa71fxK7wsF-3YQNy1rX2UtxP37d0/w640-h422/IP7A3175.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waxwing love rowan berries</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DLiS06Wck37HnrgXOsqYIflzweUGFvaR7fi8W7w8RreW5GAKeDkOO0wzSuoauVjgtw5M6paqqVahE1QdPqpPLo552dLMEbJZAR9SIeie7Va9Cl9kqF8Krj_Azmg4-sBgZ5_-rR6HcVvSYF0C2j39nFCrEIDnM12_CUawWAtEN2pB6KTB39EJibZP0J0/s5644/IP7A3219.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3795" data-original-width="5644" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DLiS06Wck37HnrgXOsqYIflzweUGFvaR7fi8W7w8RreW5GAKeDkOO0wzSuoauVjgtw5M6paqqVahE1QdPqpPLo552dLMEbJZAR9SIeie7Va9Cl9kqF8Krj_Azmg4-sBgZ5_-rR6HcVvSYF0C2j39nFCrEIDnM12_CUawWAtEN2pB6KTB39EJibZP0J0/w640-h430/IP7A3219.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaPAsbtkhKl9IUMDKIveDoDwO9qLrZmNS6bDF3mlvQcnf3-vaezIhjDvXrL36hca8Qd3n7qUN8P_u6bxwA96uSjjbiFYuVIcKN2bxF3kIdfcRO86iTvMlftb0GoGPzSOrdtuSADd2ua1JNyKeSG8LM6KSw_-qiaAbMNvjtwT8DYTJcb1NvYjbzEr_YUw/s4742/IP7A3277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2818" data-original-width="4742" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaPAsbtkhKl9IUMDKIveDoDwO9qLrZmNS6bDF3mlvQcnf3-vaezIhjDvXrL36hca8Qd3n7qUN8P_u6bxwA96uSjjbiFYuVIcKN2bxF3kIdfcRO86iTvMlftb0GoGPzSOrdtuSADd2ua1JNyKeSG8LM6KSw_-qiaAbMNvjtwT8DYTJcb1NvYjbzEr_YUw/w640-h380/IP7A3277.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ7VYMgMcHIdSyEPfhJIHMw_TpUN3CfcgWzPuExdB9x4VL7UmEHqeF7igaVR5pcEGxG4nAoxj2_WGJSQvd-2YEkz6lw3X2LycTDUdYxwa83gYbrlXTmE7IHxiAkMWlOQb_vr2JE8qa_x3ikbKbfHp1lw6_7ykNzltUEHFD-sRe6hZWaUwxmjvbT98puI/s5318/IP7A3193.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3258" data-original-width="5318" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ7VYMgMcHIdSyEPfhJIHMw_TpUN3CfcgWzPuExdB9x4VL7UmEHqeF7igaVR5pcEGxG4nAoxj2_WGJSQvd-2YEkz6lw3X2LycTDUdYxwa83gYbrlXTmE7IHxiAkMWlOQb_vr2JE8qa_x3ikbKbfHp1lw6_7ykNzltUEHFD-sRe6hZWaUwxmjvbT98puI/w640-h392/IP7A3193.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSa6tRe8VkoIvDF2flbe5dmtp9gtsmTw_b5qPpKvT2543e6CfPF20_uTpE27er5gZqsFAPTKwd4UORFuefKjYigvRmQmYvCW0Q7ckLWdagDcVBg_qK4I3PDVAM5A_TJtMx6BdoMZg4Je3UOE_KuiX3hK1-U1Pmvi0tVzKX4dNdysAmguBmyP6_bAuXBUE/s4939/IP7A3168.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3197" data-original-width="4939" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSa6tRe8VkoIvDF2flbe5dmtp9gtsmTw_b5qPpKvT2543e6CfPF20_uTpE27er5gZqsFAPTKwd4UORFuefKjYigvRmQmYvCW0Q7ckLWdagDcVBg_qK4I3PDVAM5A_TJtMx6BdoMZg4Je3UOE_KuiX3hK1-U1Pmvi0tVzKX4dNdysAmguBmyP6_bAuXBUE/w640-h414/IP7A3168.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L6UOyuYylJq_5VnAVHEJqYJyK7iui-mnp7SkxEm56Bb6_7SsODV1dN2a9zwrYhbErG7Cbsj-QXD0x2SCX-jHOhOT8dwDoI-j4LUNPnVuWkSE_CVXY3KyQe0L-shyphenhyphenI8WzSzwN91Kmq13MJw8WwoaqUC1H-ZrwziluVMPSCowByWgBcZ6C1Rny_whoFEg/s6000/IP7A3127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L6UOyuYylJq_5VnAVHEJqYJyK7iui-mnp7SkxEm56Bb6_7SsODV1dN2a9zwrYhbErG7Cbsj-QXD0x2SCX-jHOhOT8dwDoI-j4LUNPnVuWkSE_CVXY3KyQe0L-shyphenhyphenI8WzSzwN91Kmq13MJw8WwoaqUC1H-ZrwziluVMPSCowByWgBcZ6C1Rny_whoFEg/w640-h426/IP7A3127.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strathspey & the Northern Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlhvDTJuon-MZpogFdEcy3VcWHxvbySrZ9m200rYogZSgA3h8xw6PM9Ym_aDIjraTZa1X1ICVxJUMyxFDWNXJ89CbtsH1AeP6vft2gbj5JD20NEWkZZKKQYByJaO1k-FllKnLyqDvipmi1gEa_Ju4GLIYm_AmZj3jVdRr18SZUK96iNtO8TyAzE8N1Bk/s5992/IP7A3130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3498" data-original-width="5992" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlhvDTJuon-MZpogFdEcy3VcWHxvbySrZ9m200rYogZSgA3h8xw6PM9Ym_aDIjraTZa1X1ICVxJUMyxFDWNXJ89CbtsH1AeP6vft2gbj5JD20NEWkZZKKQYByJaO1k-FllKnLyqDvipmi1gEa_Ju4GLIYm_AmZj3jVdRr18SZUK96iNtO8TyAzE8N1Bk/w640-h374/IP7A3130.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog in the glens</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNCLm75_tGfWxHelEJPoBrQ9jgr_3_pN9dyH6Wr8YW-vQF1cfzb-6vJRFjiy_H7EmxKyLInPUgn3Ao1zFvekVV8_L2gxPZ3g5ESPupr0ZDOl-aL4ZOGU7nWu8xYTVW1fqMjukylxWSIDpCA8ScxzGvKrEnBnRSw1OBEo1L5iyJyVl7KAgeVZfLSgMYbU/s6000/IP7A3149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNCLm75_tGfWxHelEJPoBrQ9jgr_3_pN9dyH6Wr8YW-vQF1cfzb-6vJRFjiy_H7EmxKyLInPUgn3Ao1zFvekVV8_L2gxPZ3g5ESPupr0ZDOl-aL4ZOGU7nWu8xYTVW1fqMjukylxWSIDpCA8ScxzGvKrEnBnRSw1OBEo1L5iyJyVl7KAgeVZfLSgMYbU/w640-h426/IP7A3149.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaggy Inkcap</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><div class="x168nmei x13lgxp2 x30kzoy x9jhf4c x6ikm8r x10wlt62" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="x1n2onr6" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="x6s0dn4 xi81zsa x78zum5 x6prxxf x13a6bvl xvq8zen xdj266r xktsk01 xat24cr x1d52u69 x889kno x4uap5 x1a8lsjc xkhd6sd xdppsyt" style="align-items: center; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--divider); color: var(--secondary-text); display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; justify-content: flex-end; line-height: 1.3333; margin: 0px 16px; padding: 10px 0px;"><div class="x1c4vz4f x2lah0s xci0xqf" style="color: #65676b; flex-grow: 0; flex-shrink: 0; white-space-collapse: collapse; width: 7px;"></div><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 x2lah0s x1qughib x1qjc9v5 xozqiw3 x1q0g3np xykv574 xbmpl8g x4cne27 xifccgj" style="align-items: stretch; box-sizing: border-box; color: #65676b; display: flex; flex-flow: row; flex-shrink: 0; justify-content: space-between; margin: -6px; position: relative; white-space-collapse: collapse; z-index: 0;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-12364996164575898172023-10-24T12:51:00.019+01:002023-10-24T13:16:22.070+01:00WINTER BEGINS<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbpLIkEbm34r3_i2AUX-OYMEDzp-Mufg_SlYAUTLQIhp7BOJkFkOo0RFy-5_yjJA1idghtMngQLChTouWpUPEwipthFKORVAxNfYuFbxwuB4uN6e0FJzVY2cJ8mpjLMbJu8CbvTN7an1_O5pdVCAmDSgf2CybEMYkF2lZ-y_MQgQwZZrmdazvB16cC_0/s6240/DSCF0835.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbpLIkEbm34r3_i2AUX-OYMEDzp-Mufg_SlYAUTLQIhp7BOJkFkOo0RFy-5_yjJA1idghtMngQLChTouWpUPEwipthFKORVAxNfYuFbxwuB4uN6e0FJzVY2cJ8mpjLMbJu8CbvTN7an1_O5pdVCAmDSgf2CybEMYkF2lZ-y_MQgQwZZrmdazvB16cC_0/w640-h426/DSCF0835.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning sunrise on Monday 23rd October</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Last week we had our first proper snow on the Cairngorms. Much of that snow vanished in the warmer, wetter and windy conditions. By Friday it turned cold again high up. Whilst most of the UK suffered with heavy rain and floods, this precipitation was falling has heavy snowfall on high ground. Keen to see exactly how much snow had landed on the hills I had a quick nip up Cairn Gorm, I didn't start walking until late morning on Saturday, timing it with the winds forecast to ease.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYkHN1cH0amx24ARs5orq4ruGOxi5k-YdeJfH9edc12ZGALftFoir6OqgDkXdyHXqqURIqj_m0_e1C2paAb6Tj_jUFpq9Ztj_qLg1fVZRVdhJCt1UgV9YnB53TyIUz4Yv3gXJLR3C_c95PZo-QWKnpj2GzznIv2R_l3rdDMhvG_kPLg8Azl6RksR3lDY/s2048/394292765_6980570658645062_1822377057627979539_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYkHN1cH0amx24ARs5orq4ruGOxi5k-YdeJfH9edc12ZGALftFoir6OqgDkXdyHXqqURIqj_m0_e1C2paAb6Tj_jUFpq9Ztj_qLg1fVZRVdhJCt1UgV9YnB53TyIUz4Yv3gXJLR3C_c95PZo-QWKnpj2GzznIv2R_l3rdDMhvG_kPLg8Azl6RksR3lDY/w640-h480/394292765_6980570658645062_1822377057627979539_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow down to Coire Cas carpark on Saturday morning</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>There were a few big puddles on the road through Glenmore. Up at the Coire Cas carpark there was wet snow and slush on the road. Poor visibility from about 800m upwards, all day. I walked up through Coire Cas where the snow lay at a fair depth.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd46_F60dhsXb2Omjzfqr1sMvTfKfxj1VYGqtZSE4Zt2itxo0eVySU9xRju08Kfa3nr12ixzUHw4d0HhdThQAFF84qjfB0l2HvSmAX4m-Ls-GL2LFylcHTpDvca8ZQrUvjQg9idcGGFvZ3JY1gnHbKGnZJYYSG2ccRVYwtkQrjAIxweCKr7_MzOaYb2rc/s1088/394302982_6980126898689438_1134783180791950624_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd46_F60dhsXb2Omjzfqr1sMvTfKfxj1VYGqtZSE4Zt2itxo0eVySU9xRju08Kfa3nr12ixzUHw4d0HhdThQAFF84qjfB0l2HvSmAX4m-Ls-GL2LFylcHTpDvca8ZQrUvjQg9idcGGFvZ3JY1gnHbKGnZJYYSG2ccRVYwtkQrjAIxweCKr7_MzOaYb2rc/w480-h640/394302982_6980126898689438_1134783180791950624_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two feet of snow at 800m</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Nice to see lots and lots of Mountain hare footprints on my way up.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQSgD7llKtOyuQNOtss2nAFHEi3gFvtnEH1yFx__WdS1ml2pX16hhjCGTtMUceXCWbVkMtsEmyTubrZECxjYB24_qCxwFOVdwGT14K4kOee1mjz5K1WSkM_qgeQqg5M6xkwl3beLhBvVYZINd4MykeZuho-62ImUYxSsVpPVW5EfqoTmPkWbL02bO_oo/s2048/394609426_6980215082013953_9046572503713022381_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQSgD7llKtOyuQNOtss2nAFHEi3gFvtnEH1yFx__WdS1ml2pX16hhjCGTtMUceXCWbVkMtsEmyTubrZECxjYB24_qCxwFOVdwGT14K4kOee1mjz5K1WSkM_qgeQqg5M6xkwl3beLhBvVYZINd4MykeZuho-62ImUYxSsVpPVW5EfqoTmPkWbL02bO_oo/w640-h480/394609426_6980215082013953_9046572503713022381_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hares had been active</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><p>I didn't see anyone all the way up to the summit of Cairn Gorm. The high winds from Friday had eased off to around 35mph on the top but enough to put the ski goggles on in the heavy snowfall.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmc88M_jhBTFCLyn9zU6gmTDVcwbckBMRz9PGI783X8NzaaVAIDKXCbWk1Yf-ye2UTilKnhCX8LbyEPwfvUzVuTo79J1U2clow8NNmIKlnhza8g9ja1mNAptwKu-9rBML7Pt3Klouc5dWBjzi9h5rahB0W13TUBrhB95l_s8qyHMottBKE6947g6rrBrg/s2048/394190091_6980202162015245_5743700512507632854_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmc88M_jhBTFCLyn9zU6gmTDVcwbckBMRz9PGI783X8NzaaVAIDKXCbWk1Yf-ye2UTilKnhCX8LbyEPwfvUzVuTo79J1U2clow8NNmIKlnhza8g9ja1mNAptwKu-9rBML7Pt3Klouc5dWBjzi9h5rahB0W13TUBrhB95l_s8qyHMottBKE6947g6rrBrg/w480-h640/394190091_6980202162015245_5743700512507632854_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day this season for the ski goggles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Rime ice had formed nicely above 1000m. The cafe below the summit starting to get filled in with snow. The funicular and cafe are closed for the foreseeable future. The saga of the troubled train up the hill continues. After spending 25 million pounds fixing the rail and support structure, they have found more faults. Or should that be they didn't carry out the repair properly? Quite shocking really, not that I have ever used the thing and would never use it. If you're interested in this financial disaster then an excellent read on the finances and environmental issues can be<a href="https://parkswatchscotland.co.uk/2023/10/23/hie-concrete-and-the-death-of-cairngorm-as-a-ski-resort/" target="_blank"> found here at the excellent Parkwatch Scotland website</a>. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4-LlDYI_5s114l-pnlmBaX7NNul0Ol8fK9IhtjNtE0DQMaO8JTknrx0QHgh0VKfbgJg7hOJr9ufi7a3vcnt73Yti-wdRVo6bYJ7IGLM9dBfmiBl6CQU14ze8Z1mSie44SyX22l7rAfwN72zah_z4PIwaEjGi3Fgdu1AjI-i4stdyG_q7eYbsOQLvyZ0/s2048/394551489_6980201228682005_2680239936818324499_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4-LlDYI_5s114l-pnlmBaX7NNul0Ol8fK9IhtjNtE0DQMaO8JTknrx0QHgh0VKfbgJg7hOJr9ufi7a3vcnt73Yti-wdRVo6bYJ7IGLM9dBfmiBl6CQU14ze8Z1mSie44SyX22l7rAfwN72zah_z4PIwaEjGi3Fgdu1AjI-i4stdyG_q7eYbsOQLvyZ0/w640-h480/394551489_6980201228682005_2680239936818324499_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The white elephant (cafe) on Cairn Gorm</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I contemplated heading around the Northern Corries from the summit of Cairn Gorm but very poor visibility wouldn't have given me any views today!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ew41utaNMziKJEWv20Qh8dkg6Vqc8ozou1VsgRjTYrXO_gIfUdqs7VEs2zw9PAByJnlfBZNSnENS0k97_et-RYY6JnCOFs5K95upKJHfLwwF2sKJoad1yNZyREaFR7cBJhRF0WHZBup5_KtbYqF8BXccNeeNm3SG5gpNCzgmjdga9WcX6RwKNysKp8I/s1088/394346292_6980126668689461_5521432836344553041_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ew41utaNMziKJEWv20Qh8dkg6Vqc8ozou1VsgRjTYrXO_gIfUdqs7VEs2zw9PAByJnlfBZNSnENS0k97_et-RYY6JnCOFs5K95upKJHfLwwF2sKJoad1yNZyREaFR7cBJhRF0WHZBup5_KtbYqF8BXccNeeNm3SG5gpNCzgmjdga9WcX6RwKNysKp8I/w480-h640/394346292_6980126668689461_5521432836344553041_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn Gorm weather station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4yoQPcAJyG3_lSdjlQAuAK8luapx2oZ8DuX0954oO7BtD6qQUH0GPcngjCc6GmVOVg32v3DIEuUZ3s5_KV_toAocJqoazYHNJHOYrTmJ4un6XMIajlXhJvaxabIJsU1t_kTosH6rdOVtXfMenJJIQORQocToC7pxGwnH-E2CEwtEGgn2_AalUf1JoYc/s1088/394027638_6980196048682523_1268461663856459743_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4yoQPcAJyG3_lSdjlQAuAK8luapx2oZ8DuX0954oO7BtD6qQUH0GPcngjCc6GmVOVg32v3DIEuUZ3s5_KV_toAocJqoazYHNJHOYrTmJ4un6XMIajlXhJvaxabIJsU1t_kTosH6rdOVtXfMenJJIQORQocToC7pxGwnH-E2CEwtEGgn2_AalUf1JoYc/w640-h480/394027638_6980196048682523_1268461663856459743_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn Gorm summit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The snow continued falling through the rest of the day and evening. </p><p>Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny in Aviemore. A quick look at the forecast and it seemed that we were in for a couple of lovely weather days on the mountains. Last minute decision to head off up onto the Cairngorm plateau for our first winter mountain camp this season.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ml3FwE82bxDDtivuMCY-yF1Mj0vdv3AwH0DfJH6ctm6wNWBuv2IO5jdsibOPC9lNwfus254kdwrj53bk5VhzuqFS4Ze29QoGdQtIxtcwG9QghroPUUL9DF6xnCIeBXOajHIFb0imD2nsgmiSti_lXbhOz_Qp3KccdKpy3cSNl5iy8fDBUhTgnaBt1UI/s2048/394701337_6987457481289713_2092373709248581231_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ml3FwE82bxDDtivuMCY-yF1Mj0vdv3AwH0DfJH6ctm6wNWBuv2IO5jdsibOPC9lNwfus254kdwrj53bk5VhzuqFS4Ze29QoGdQtIxtcwG9QghroPUUL9DF6xnCIeBXOajHIFb0imD2nsgmiSti_lXbhOz_Qp3KccdKpy3cSNl5iy8fDBUhTgnaBt1UI/w640-h480/394701337_6987457481289713_2092373709248581231_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep snow, blue skies and sunsine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9gZU34y4GEJGuMaODsVwr0ROLi4PX7zeEYkW6ubHDKb2yzTX0b9vtivX_64aX4Ul5KTZ562H-kvnbBTJZ7CFvaGbe6yT2I39_56sSQeWZGBDTRGOnRJKcXHc12yr48tEpQoCenMao2u4fTCeeCT97v0hWZEMu1UjsIsvK2PjiPTIzYNIHtq7TjXchRk/s6240/DSCF0731.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9gZU34y4GEJGuMaODsVwr0ROLi4PX7zeEYkW6ubHDKb2yzTX0b9vtivX_64aX4Ul5KTZ562H-kvnbBTJZ7CFvaGbe6yT2I39_56sSQeWZGBDTRGOnRJKcXHc12yr48tEpQoCenMao2u4fTCeeCT97v0hWZEMu1UjsIsvK2PjiPTIzYNIHtq7TjXchRk/w640-h426/DSCF0731.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big bags and wonderful views</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRs6R2kiodSLSQY614tlrlj3Ow_EgmI3U5wBnpWxeCBg4yGy7LEjqUQ14NZpL1j_Yb_7NC486D2fD_5Cuca1kZUNyPsbkoAdAzu9RGPCh_rdcq53k5j1WmIpFDZeQDPAIHQSL8INTnB6Di90Gkzo7EVSCMXi-cfSPDuhQGgfTU2eL_kkgYh_nzSPeSFk/s6010/DSCF0744.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4007" data-original-width="6010" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRs6R2kiodSLSQY614tlrlj3Ow_EgmI3U5wBnpWxeCBg4yGy7LEjqUQ14NZpL1j_Yb_7NC486D2fD_5Cuca1kZUNyPsbkoAdAzu9RGPCh_rdcq53k5j1WmIpFDZeQDPAIHQSL8INTnB6Di90Gkzo7EVSCMXi-cfSPDuhQGgfTU2eL_kkgYh_nzSPeSFk/w640-h426/DSCF0744.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down to Aviemore from the plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>With big, heavy rucksacks it was hard graft walking in the deep unconsolidated snow. The wonderful clear skies spurred us on. You could have been fooled thinking it was a December day with the amount and depth of snow above 750m as we trudged up to the high ground.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImQdQiixIozNp1ncotSrkSaJ1bhLgZYe0HaWDorGdCEMS3F_zmNtRMM1x5rk7YOjnH9O-Rh5bjYC80tduZvpxFMvI2OBXVxbI1HhQCKXAZyAIylLU-PPSJKHqTaFuquH8B2XV0ootK4LG3eRnFDWkGCjy_0Z-trrS8oHerxe8fDSGXadnkYAzuJjM_aU/s6240/DSCF0745.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImQdQiixIozNp1ncotSrkSaJ1bhLgZYe0HaWDorGdCEMS3F_zmNtRMM1x5rk7YOjnH9O-Rh5bjYC80tduZvpxFMvI2OBXVxbI1HhQCKXAZyAIylLU-PPSJKHqTaFuquH8B2XV0ootK4LG3eRnFDWkGCjy_0Z-trrS8oHerxe8fDSGXadnkYAzuJjM_aU/w640-h426/DSCF0745.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep snowcover at 1000m</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddQ79ClC3Q-FO-NTL3r3XLi5ElCpPfpnOKxCVvB5c3L5Ius8YI-47tbXnGBxoDlprt2txS7S9p6MBmMaXyshTXOPd76JEVRNTAfPrCVRsjvatr5Ei_1SoHctPXPAYqoUoGGbHTLcZxngJFM6nO_a2EKm0QB_iCy_ymX_Kx36R3gS-0tOLw1Mw_ogpu78/s6240/DSCF0753.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddQ79ClC3Q-FO-NTL3r3XLi5ElCpPfpnOKxCVvB5c3L5Ius8YI-47tbXnGBxoDlprt2txS7S9p6MBmMaXyshTXOPd76JEVRNTAfPrCVRsjvatr5Ei_1SoHctPXPAYqoUoGGbHTLcZxngJFM6nO_a2EKm0QB_iCy_ymX_Kx36R3gS-0tOLw1Mw_ogpu78/w640-h426/DSCF0753.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn Toul & Sgor an Lochain Uaine from the plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3En2K0otf85CTcmG9T9sQ_2e4kY4HpUivQMXCDPXq_2-pL9WlH02TqlwsalyanMG2ikUBvgAb2sgjKmjEeimoH9GHrwMiWeLMjZk-IR8jTEKsyGsIW7frhzSTayLk1CjF8hm9M5DOy2PH2HvmFP2NG5DwvEiNImsRk9tOF8mNvSWnaXbtqngw7u5kXQ/s6240/DSCF0764.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3En2K0otf85CTcmG9T9sQ_2e4kY4HpUivQMXCDPXq_2-pL9WlH02TqlwsalyanMG2ikUBvgAb2sgjKmjEeimoH9GHrwMiWeLMjZk-IR8jTEKsyGsIW7frhzSTayLk1CjF8hm9M5DOy2PH2HvmFP2NG5DwvEiNImsRk9tOF8mNvSWnaXbtqngw7u5kXQ/w640-h426/DSCF0764.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only foot prints were ours</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We decided on a high camp, above 1100m and in a beautiful, wild spot. The tent was up and we unloaded our luxury winter kit. Two thermarest's, winter expedition Rab sleeping bags and plenty of dry, warm layers. I was also carrying two camera bodies, one for landscapes, the other fitted with a large telephoto lens for some wildlife photography. Despite all this my rucksack only weighed in at 16 kilos.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTdoQa-DICsGKy9t9mqTCJ5Axt_ujWm_4DOavogrlrLxI5zTa4Dzkja8w_DZegvj-o4_2cPVVMj89mLotudJJmNlYELFE58YQOHCXGtPo2pxA598Auh7UtzSZM7ZJnNHcIpnS-mp_v39_FDjnKlIvulb6_tDsNYxdehrpT3mYaQI1eeepyP6G-yoz5K0/s6227/DSCF0770%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4151" data-original-width="6227" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTdoQa-DICsGKy9t9mqTCJ5Axt_ujWm_4DOavogrlrLxI5zTa4Dzkja8w_DZegvj-o4_2cPVVMj89mLotudJJmNlYELFE58YQOHCXGtPo2pxA598Auh7UtzSZM7ZJnNHcIpnS-mp_v39_FDjnKlIvulb6_tDsNYxdehrpT3mYaQI1eeepyP6G-yoz5K0/w640-h426/DSCF0770%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worth the energy for views like this down to Loch A'an at 5pm</td></tr></tbody></table><br />.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Cd-QgaG09nL159VMm6C_gz_XuBfStEHaA_YqAodqjXtx6VlXO7PmF0BNG2Rr-aM5ED5M8fQOO_7Lx38yNMbcSLPIb7dYhdzbPyWjjJqgq9He0FnOK9sSgHPPxw4b1VYddgyxE7iPYC6h_rvQ4dfIo4fYReoX1Hc6CnXK_QXJEWCrTfYz1_ovQks5_4g/s6240/DSCF0787.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Cd-QgaG09nL159VMm6C_gz_XuBfStEHaA_YqAodqjXtx6VlXO7PmF0BNG2Rr-aM5ED5M8fQOO_7Lx38yNMbcSLPIb7dYhdzbPyWjjJqgq9He0FnOK9sSgHPPxw4b1VYddgyxE7iPYC6h_rvQ4dfIo4fYReoX1Hc6CnXK_QXJEWCrTfYz1_ovQks5_4g/w640-h426/DSCF0787.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp</td></tr></tbody></table><br />There was a beautiful sunset with the Belt of Venus looking superb above Beinn Mheadhoin and a half moon rising above the hillside.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Pcq1oOoEwigbplFJSKuy9d02ZrmOGcJkFG6ms6jy1sWwaBRDyKEvffL7DkSEDdHN2nO4B7tn4zB1q1ycrV3a1_L3Ms8oXIvTUZfnGEmeM5uDv2AqGGYfty1InpPDxySRoJ63IdGoRzZT-4h90CH0IDn847hXmIkbydCsD410TVz9zb6JuuvEKY6Z3Jo/s6114/DSCF0797.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4076" data-original-width="6114" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Pcq1oOoEwigbplFJSKuy9d02ZrmOGcJkFG6ms6jy1sWwaBRDyKEvffL7DkSEDdHN2nO4B7tn4zB1q1ycrV3a1_L3Ms8oXIvTUZfnGEmeM5uDv2AqGGYfty1InpPDxySRoJ63IdGoRzZT-4h90CH0IDn847hXmIkbydCsD410TVz9zb6JuuvEKY6Z3Jo/w640-h426/DSCF0797.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belt of Venus above Beinn Mheadhoin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-YjK-gPq_rw6fkQGIgw-1Wclsc4PdKSj7-OyE2VsDYzqjiIR1_uuETDjTSjTrAIs3apQMYzTSfKZ0XAx-JVNMnTqOPVVsR-YwmIiyKhMFAkhbPw5LeqXQLxHaokvWX_inf1MqWXtWWlZ2gaE08SUmlRKf675NHVdSo06aE4QHNUpCFEEiEGJiOvaQIk/s6240/DSCF0789.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-YjK-gPq_rw6fkQGIgw-1Wclsc4PdKSj7-OyE2VsDYzqjiIR1_uuETDjTSjTrAIs3apQMYzTSfKZ0XAx-JVNMnTqOPVVsR-YwmIiyKhMFAkhbPw5LeqXQLxHaokvWX_inf1MqWXtWWlZ2gaE08SUmlRKf675NHVdSo06aE4QHNUpCFEEiEGJiOvaQIk/w640-h426/DSCF0789.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half moon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPkxAjdVlODcHm8YnNcKcmWok2t4_cNKJIPyvn7UuW52JBQyaKkuUyLqIrcRAZbNgRCzfsUewvnjZ-USAyPkDGuq5Eao-Zx6fLwyMEr0dYRCeDev_k13zBAo-xfSVyhd7qgt4Ad62_jLZ2qrqFRdjtJXlYZpDJQfIEztRIO-xoyh4JTA2O7RnrdRSsCI/s6240/DSCF0790.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPkxAjdVlODcHm8YnNcKcmWok2t4_cNKJIPyvn7UuW52JBQyaKkuUyLqIrcRAZbNgRCzfsUewvnjZ-USAyPkDGuq5Eao-Zx6fLwyMEr0dYRCeDev_k13zBAo-xfSVyhd7qgt4Ad62_jLZ2qrqFRdjtJXlYZpDJQfIEztRIO-xoyh4JTA2O7RnrdRSsCI/w640-h426/DSCF0790.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glorious sunset above the granite tors of Beinn Mheadoin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>It was probably around minus 5 C overnight/dawn. A fabulous sunrise. I was out of the tent to capture the ever changing colours s the sun slowly rose above the mountains.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE772MWeUpa_Yj-UkkWpjcD57ZWUnoLu3Rp_n4yfSX14XZzDu4iryQdKBsSwZ4kNlo3gEDwnl3DzCjtuTxRMfB_P25OQTyl0N4vC5DHV0SU8XZCP09BVuG4K_M4RshX0nLgJvY3JaCRBYxV0-GWcETGjk4TOc7QoPBkEZoZtSewgzWdkjRomf6-IIOfjA/s6240/DSCF0814.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE772MWeUpa_Yj-UkkWpjcD57ZWUnoLu3Rp_n4yfSX14XZzDu4iryQdKBsSwZ4kNlo3gEDwnl3DzCjtuTxRMfB_P25OQTyl0N4vC5DHV0SU8XZCP09BVuG4K_M4RshX0nLgJvY3JaCRBYxV0-GWcETGjk4TOc7QoPBkEZoZtSewgzWdkjRomf6-IIOfjA/w640-h426/DSCF0814.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First light</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOe7sEHJzLIpEtJO5KWv17iuDYTV1QwMiTpX8eVUCNegFDoS8pLHbzv8ep5xwoTkCSc8W_2lIwHKWI8IL3opMmQKQPeH4DeoWNJ7NEPgjdbeUpTxmLkOUB88N9Y70rrwb_Rtlm3nzcquURJBL-Hl3VB8u63KK-3ArC2iAxn99aLp2cGxmaKwkwPgv71U/s6240/DSCF0835.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOe7sEHJzLIpEtJO5KWv17iuDYTV1QwMiTpX8eVUCNegFDoS8pLHbzv8ep5xwoTkCSc8W_2lIwHKWI8IL3opMmQKQPeH4DeoWNJ7NEPgjdbeUpTxmLkOUB88N9Y70rrwb_Rtlm3nzcquURJBL-Hl3VB8u63KK-3ArC2iAxn99aLp2cGxmaKwkwPgv71U/w640-h426/DSCF0835.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loch A'an and Beinn Mheadhoin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLb76cUQAwTOanzWoMMs_eXh3z0AKaavTVDHivCTIeQ-DhM4-F4s5ZonZUu7FLsHlHu0Yme4M7gUhRWLuZc_rM5L_kg-dJ7iWKGcUHn_956HEw2-YCXYN93bksrNBQP4gJgdHCKVKe0cP1e7m2n0gH4Ea4LN5uTs7AMfSHuZ1-XQF5J0LCUSgGDiAfjTc/s6114/DSCF0839.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4076" data-original-width="6114" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLb76cUQAwTOanzWoMMs_eXh3z0AKaavTVDHivCTIeQ-DhM4-F4s5ZonZUu7FLsHlHu0Yme4M7gUhRWLuZc_rM5L_kg-dJ7iWKGcUHn_956HEw2-YCXYN93bksrNBQP4gJgdHCKVKe0cP1e7m2n0gH4Ea4LN5uTs7AMfSHuZ1-XQF5J0LCUSgGDiAfjTc/w640-h426/DSCF0839.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelterstone Crag and beautiful sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table>There was some wind overnight but this had died down completely by about 3am, it was wonderful. We savoured the place, light and silence in our winter wonderland before packing up and heading back to civilisation. On our route back I was keen to photograph Ptarmigan or Mountain Hares. Unfortunately no images to show, despite being close to at least 4 Ptarmigan. They all took off as the sun warmed up the land, well that's an exaggeration! It was still below freezing.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bvLbtdxfvlJK1w7Qig3LQ3ZTmb3Cvcd97I6GDSN_1VWFZiBk8uAq6CyvpRoCFaMAaHfAoFteTVaT78AeoPnaYKCqc3sps7hdSlEsxoesjnWE5XIAo4tyrIYZiMjCq1SRJqJUh11khH2OhtXipWyKueLVVP3nyJgi83p6-Og4s9TLH7az0azG88v1pbs/s6240/DSCF0847.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bvLbtdxfvlJK1w7Qig3LQ3ZTmb3Cvcd97I6GDSN_1VWFZiBk8uAq6CyvpRoCFaMAaHfAoFteTVaT78AeoPnaYKCqc3sps7hdSlEsxoesjnWE5XIAo4tyrIYZiMjCq1SRJqJUh11khH2OhtXipWyKueLVVP3nyJgi83p6-Og4s9TLH7az0azG88v1pbs/w640-h426/DSCF0847.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun's up</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOR-rj68BaYP3gTB7LMnXTz3sJro3U2srABt-6z1G5t1hlDFf6plsxAXqf76TH4HFCORd2ve11Wr6eW91hy_pq7COUaHEYTevewPtxIxsVaKklC-qudWTaqr5YBQ364EN7hJbmOuGEuzbVXtkGljAJK0gpIjhFTLcntyqznbNBGY1JvNd15Q8TQXR8NBM/s2048/394541354_6987458421289619_7389676106314092054_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOR-rj68BaYP3gTB7LMnXTz3sJro3U2srABt-6z1G5t1hlDFf6plsxAXqf76TH4HFCORd2ve11Wr6eW91hy_pq7COUaHEYTevewPtxIxsVaKklC-qudWTaqr5YBQ364EN7hJbmOuGEuzbVXtkGljAJK0gpIjhFTLcntyqznbNBGY1JvNd15Q8TQXR8NBM/w640-h480/394541354_6987458421289619_7389676106314092054_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A layer of cloud sitting on Ben Macdui</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4c3Ys-VXf3nOj34I2I8k48oHMiJCYRc7Iq3OKlF8tkpRiA6RtEYyhBU2OPMhMCY8a-aE8x8BvSv79SIUTefaiR0FkyGrgljd2cCoKJijxdyO3u0XcQNeNkW2y4Oy1vuBG7eW4bUMGBW7CXqvSVRbMLElk9sxm4rsxCz_FRL7r3_LDr9UOz132-sPKWc/s2048/394386492_6987485144620280_113482375967119236_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4c3Ys-VXf3nOj34I2I8k48oHMiJCYRc7Iq3OKlF8tkpRiA6RtEYyhBU2OPMhMCY8a-aE8x8BvSv79SIUTefaiR0FkyGrgljd2cCoKJijxdyO3u0XcQNeNkW2y4Oy1vuBG7eW4bUMGBW7CXqvSVRbMLElk9sxm4rsxCz_FRL7r3_LDr9UOz132-sPKWc/w640-h480/394386492_6987485144620280_113482375967119236_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind, cloud and sun</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The wind increased as we made our way back across the plateau. An unusual layer of cloud sitting on top of Ben Macdui. It was all wonderful and atmospheric.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNLU6hJGjtS6rZod9xaY38cdWvLs6-bapnseDCIPXtDGmSQgMy4pGYjcLpg8SUseV7nuuQXEVFGDHt_QZDrGckbra9_W4WH_SHQ_FumEHYUCk1aZhOlbzruHJwJ-zurYQVwpQv6WtwDN9YbENerlIiJRmDR2bYbV-_xvoa0nXXLjCrIwDArwvfjS7GxU/s2048/394608775_6987458777956250_8170687960341903507_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNLU6hJGjtS6rZod9xaY38cdWvLs6-bapnseDCIPXtDGmSQgMy4pGYjcLpg8SUseV7nuuQXEVFGDHt_QZDrGckbra9_W4WH_SHQ_FumEHYUCk1aZhOlbzruHJwJ-zurYQVwpQv6WtwDN9YbENerlIiJRmDR2bYbV-_xvoa0nXXLjCrIwDArwvfjS7GxU/w640-h480/394608775_6987458777956250_8170687960341903507_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Civilisation not far!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2H8vKn_krDZUQpPQ5inbWtXBbIFLl7LSYoAX_Q31p0GYNAXco5tyqhLdD_w2Sz0zMDa-YRMcupKQiNI9Y1ZYknuf1XDol4WTI5Tsk_8P4llmZgLgGArbSYmgsgJy_j88Tvkofn0UV5PTdH1PZoMameBEkv5FlXcmFgEfhrW7zWoQh9ue6wYn9Dk4GNv4/s6240/DSCF0853.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2H8vKn_krDZUQpPQ5inbWtXBbIFLl7LSYoAX_Q31p0GYNAXco5tyqhLdD_w2Sz0zMDa-YRMcupKQiNI9Y1ZYknuf1XDol4WTI5Tsk_8P4llmZgLgGArbSYmgsgJy_j88Tvkofn0UV5PTdH1PZoMameBEkv5FlXcmFgEfhrW7zWoQh9ue6wYn9Dk4GNv4/w640-h426/DSCF0853.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud and wind creating some lovely scenes</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tfXvaXYukj7Ga9gkrzSchvBK51qIZ5hEGfPffjriax0VQTgHSrN3nRVUjqmOkgYwurXSSVVSJWPK3_TNdKynmw-mySSxLaKjXB3ARe3g2xnS-ieKTcZShWjHnwFS5FaHFo0WkmO_NoRBZoRFfZ4YVsfLHTlNiN_MM-dWVCEZS8o3r1BoJacHxhQc2oY/s2048/394359461_6987459591289502_101273313145330647_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="2048" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tfXvaXYukj7Ga9gkrzSchvBK51qIZ5hEGfPffjriax0VQTgHSrN3nRVUjqmOkgYwurXSSVVSJWPK3_TNdKynmw-mySSxLaKjXB3ARe3g2xnS-ieKTcZShWjHnwFS5FaHFo0WkmO_NoRBZoRFfZ4YVsfLHTlNiN_MM-dWVCEZS8o3r1BoJacHxhQc2oY/w640-h470/394359461_6987459591289502_101273313145330647_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loch Morlich and back to Autumn in the glens</td></tr></tbody></table><div>It was good to bump into <a href="https://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/" target="_blank">Chris Townsend </a>on the way down and have a quick chat. He had just set off around lunchtime and experienced the higher wind speeds that weren't actually forecast. Chris and I always seem to bump into each other on the Cairngorms, funny that :)</div><div><br /></div><div>A top few days and great early winter conditions to get you fit for what's to come. I am often asked when is the best time in winter for snow/weather or if we are going to get a bumper winter. Well if I knew that I would be a millionaire I guess. What I can almost guarantee is for the next 6 months we will get heavy snowfall, blizzards, high winds, high temperatures, low temperatures, lots of cloud, lots of sun, calm days and dull days, lots of snow-cover, minimal snow-cover. What order they will be in is anyone's guess ;) </div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile it's back to Autumn here in the Strath. The trees are just into their finest. The season's in the mountains do not follow suit.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKzJxyDfOuU8B7ZnX5m_lfw0aO7dXk6c6KDo_q69_rh6fMLStRqhN1jMtzEhska2mUAm2Q6_rS6F7bQAQ393E2sM7Yf-sM-GXfHd99NWP-bh-M0C2IO4eEw17nPsmsP15_3QnFhcDavENcmydj9_9ZHqO66Mp9h3ooWW7ZMSvayQA5hElRtpFcWjomlU/s6240/DSCF0860.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKzJxyDfOuU8B7ZnX5m_lfw0aO7dXk6c6KDo_q69_rh6fMLStRqhN1jMtzEhska2mUAm2Q6_rS6F7bQAQ393E2sM7Yf-sM-GXfHd99NWP-bh-M0C2IO4eEw17nPsmsP15_3QnFhcDavENcmydj9_9ZHqO66Mp9h3ooWW7ZMSvayQA5hElRtpFcWjomlU/w640-h426/DSCF0860.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiacaill Coire Sneachda</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-5762824021528385762023-10-19T16:16:00.000+01:002023-10-19T16:16:19.332+01:00FIRST SNOWS OF THE SEASON<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc3IAtyxtKMYv3M46kU7Co6Nm4-IKp88LO5_T53hkApi5iF8Be_hHO-WlEpTuPPySxmA_5CB02vZghBo3i9Mn33-7kpLlwF6vqq5gNlGSQmC4UrTyQheLF4MjG0Tv07cr1Q9m0uLb9FejkbT7x1CGR5k8Bua5wmNCOfVE3hLSdNS4joo57E__TEAhyqs/s1088/393479501_6965501093485352_130541723663632371_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc3IAtyxtKMYv3M46kU7Co6Nm4-IKp88LO5_T53hkApi5iF8Be_hHO-WlEpTuPPySxmA_5CB02vZghBo3i9Mn33-7kpLlwF6vqq5gNlGSQmC4UrTyQheLF4MjG0Tv07cr1Q9m0uLb9FejkbT7x1CGR5k8Bua5wmNCOfVE3hLSdNS4joo57E__TEAhyqs/w640-h480/393479501_6965501093485352_130541723663632371_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cliffs of Coire an Lochain with first snow of the season, 17th October</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>We've had some wild weather the last couple of weeks. Another 'named' storm passing through has I write this blog. Storm Babeth making its impact with windspeeds in excess of 100mph on Cairn Gorm summit today. Last weekend it was wild and much colder with some snow on the higher Scottish mountains. I was running a landscape photography workshop last weekend, based in Ullapool. It certainly would have made challenging conditions on the summits so we decided on some lower locations. In-between all the wind, rain and poor weather we've enjoyed the odd day of respite with lighter winds, clear skies and sunshine! Monday and Tuesday of this week we had stunning clear skies and sunshine. With snow lying down to 900m on Monday. On Tuesday the snow in N and W facing corries and on the high Cairngorm plateau was holding on. </p><p>here are a few images from the last couple of weeks.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0Hzg5keQVzgTiveTE1Dk6ZM091Ia4lA4Tu7hAj-iRIhKruaxk6kocLq2yB_ME-K73JcatWiEBHwKA77E_W8_J3S1Ohg2Ne62rLbYmy8zV-mjUiEa2fabNzdcLBAPBfQUX1yu3lyeTvAUuyoNqaQmTxDU1V6unnTW5Ikp3bBbk5-4w6iMNK6YQdheLUQ/s2048/387029212_6943174169051378_4397973336651025477_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0Hzg5keQVzgTiveTE1Dk6ZM091Ia4lA4Tu7hAj-iRIhKruaxk6kocLq2yB_ME-K73JcatWiEBHwKA77E_W8_J3S1Ohg2Ne62rLbYmy8zV-mjUiEa2fabNzdcLBAPBfQUX1yu3lyeTvAUuyoNqaQmTxDU1V6unnTW5Ikp3bBbk5-4w6iMNK6YQdheLUQ/w640-h480/387029212_6943174169051378_4397973336651025477_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly Agaric & biking</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMERxEqRiCC2UZ-afhe80F95mll41K6bJu8XvtrUGwMZNZMYXzqVdtIJzZMjiXvz8EYYQAvLNa7URgCd7QZYg3Y7Vm-PPyL0A9CjX_0g7MGUo0YQG4R9RyWox2DUAdz8lFqTjs9eOAUiTgGuIu6Lvp3wseMpv9d3deidRwShA8Jam1BR5rBJvmr0Uv85A/s2048/387063845_6947128965322565_5536110704447713676_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMERxEqRiCC2UZ-afhe80F95mll41K6bJu8XvtrUGwMZNZMYXzqVdtIJzZMjiXvz8EYYQAvLNa7URgCd7QZYg3Y7Vm-PPyL0A9CjX_0g7MGUo0YQG4R9RyWox2DUAdz8lFqTjs9eOAUiTgGuIu6Lvp3wseMpv9d3deidRwShA8Jam1BR5rBJvmr0Uv85A/w640-h480/387063845_6947128965322565_5536110704447713676_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely Autumn day on the high Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw8LV8dr2xsV2p_VCt9pNpDBJGa4wob-wGRLsgHrblkt0VJOvgTc5jzHKZWOPP_NIs_LyG8DmGk7dC34T3v6DoDXkHBXLtrTsbl5BoLBuFPy8IhKsj_hNmdSRN8H2dIHSyi2vWDq3swTy7AVQFnhMjW9mQJ4qgPlYzX8nu5M5vYzlN59EI42Pv3eOWz4/s1907/387042760_6947131991988929_1745018212592069044_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1601" data-original-width="1907" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw8LV8dr2xsV2p_VCt9pNpDBJGa4wob-wGRLsgHrblkt0VJOvgTc5jzHKZWOPP_NIs_LyG8DmGk7dC34T3v6DoDXkHBXLtrTsbl5BoLBuFPy8IhKsj_hNmdSRN8H2dIHSyi2vWDq3swTy7AVQFnhMjW9mQJ4qgPlYzX8nu5M5vYzlN59EI42Pv3eOWz4/w640-h538/387042760_6947131991988929_1745018212592069044_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trailing Azalea in flower on 10th October at 1100m!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We had 2 days based in Ullapool on one of my <a href="https://www.garyhphotography.com/wildlife-photography-holidays/bespoke-landscape-photography-guiding" target="_blank">landscape photography workshops</a>. We had some fine moments last Saturday in the beautiful Coigach area.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbSxwDsCNHahBW9_EcmWqmE60TXHI-a72wGBb9a1qvDskKNFK35s5drdK4D6y8hiKad5EyneNL9NXhlh2HXP0D0W1KsdOvDinO9M0Dk3F7MRwpc0S-gaFQjHJVGbUx3IUy5sNhRH4riaOi0xSODejHRfLLsWFQMmzMmUmiz09hCe1UlYGf4JsQBOq4t4/s6240/DSCF0562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbSxwDsCNHahBW9_EcmWqmE60TXHI-a72wGBb9a1qvDskKNFK35s5drdK4D6y8hiKad5EyneNL9NXhlh2HXP0D0W1KsdOvDinO9M0Dk3F7MRwpc0S-gaFQjHJVGbUx3IUy5sNhRH4riaOi0xSODejHRfLLsWFQMmzMmUmiz09hCe1UlYGf4JsQBOq4t4/w640-h426/DSCF0562.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cul Mor, a fine mountain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe88NXM-Req8bK_0yAQYgzxbUEGdcDmwxevNl01NMOyK2TJhoGHeftRl1W70wj0r6gH7HA619CkC4b8jHGjd0V_tI1GzVQZBq9j-r_PbJ15w2XzLesE21M3WLXK1xO2_-k71myfF7m0qHeOVw7HvIoaPXlziFOX5KeNtNe90it0ZuFJTfVCiZH3nAt5Y/s6378/DSCF0498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3223" data-original-width="6378" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe88NXM-Req8bK_0yAQYgzxbUEGdcDmwxevNl01NMOyK2TJhoGHeftRl1W70wj0r6gH7HA619CkC4b8jHGjd0V_tI1GzVQZBq9j-r_PbJ15w2XzLesE21M3WLXK1xO2_-k71myfF7m0qHeOVw7HvIoaPXlziFOX5KeNtNe90it0ZuFJTfVCiZH3nAt5Y/w640-h324/DSCF0498.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Mor Coigach and Stac Pollaidh</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeB2mRipZSPEHQ5Tbfk0KgVshIyIn1otu5F7asGEqYMay7p3JAbXqhu4GuCd8dqZag-ExRCnCaK8y0dWvFga7RmXO96b0VhT8g2rdlp5VnznXpx3m1XJSy_1oZ4yqiq6AqP5PWnRVNh1TI-N7YjEDNYjTrhzF6-UK9CDrGgIaIlpIEUwUVoTrtWW-IEM/s5815/DSCF0660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3932" data-original-width="5815" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeB2mRipZSPEHQ5Tbfk0KgVshIyIn1otu5F7asGEqYMay7p3JAbXqhu4GuCd8dqZag-ExRCnCaK8y0dWvFga7RmXO96b0VhT8g2rdlp5VnznXpx3m1XJSy_1oZ4yqiq6AqP5PWnRVNh1TI-N7YjEDNYjTrhzF6-UK9CDrGgIaIlpIEUwUVoTrtWW-IEM/w640-h432/DSCF0660.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A break in the clouds over the Summer Isles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkqh_zCwZh3LIOUHO3gmhBK3SpIEQi1OPLnvmJb5LU0086AFgTRYPYdX6XaXqwRmeclyNnWAxgGTNV65g44wP1HZsqsGBWpaAEGWpPJ0Y414_l08wBnXZ0lXQWVxmnHXkXlk_YCmWZVQIhGvDFK5N_Sde0WE24OhVrAT8oruhZHAzInYgQ5SZqj8b-Q4/s6240/DSCF0467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkqh_zCwZh3LIOUHO3gmhBK3SpIEQi1OPLnvmJb5LU0086AFgTRYPYdX6XaXqwRmeclyNnWAxgGTNV65g44wP1HZsqsGBWpaAEGWpPJ0Y414_l08wBnXZ0lXQWVxmnHXkXlk_YCmWZVQIhGvDFK5N_Sde0WE24OhVrAT8oruhZHAzInYgQ5SZqj8b-Q4/w640-h426/DSCF0467.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stac Pollaidh</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22YS81setSH8JRX2AsHSNYPzGdeDUzBFOP8dHPWBS6gw6VYJpEBqc13cyTQdoWIl41dgHEgE16XsOhZofdq2VaPtqBZUpRbTcvOvQg6bqx7wz_GF0tjQe9MAtTkZ3D2Wml9uYCWTwRR_AvArUKkUKNByITY0Z3CUBVTba-FdqodNcRG14N5BkNJxXYM4/s6208/DSCF0663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3987" data-original-width="6208" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22YS81setSH8JRX2AsHSNYPzGdeDUzBFOP8dHPWBS6gw6VYJpEBqc13cyTQdoWIl41dgHEgE16XsOhZofdq2VaPtqBZUpRbTcvOvQg6bqx7wz_GF0tjQe9MAtTkZ3D2Wml9uYCWTwRR_AvArUKkUKNByITY0Z3CUBVTba-FdqodNcRG14N5BkNJxXYM4/w640-h412/DSCF0663.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The golden hour on Cul Beag</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Back home and the Cairngorms were looking a winter wonderland after the cold, wild conditions over the weekend. It is, of course, quite normal to get snow and freezing temperatures in the Scottish mountains in October. The cold and snowy nature will come and go over the next few weeks. By November we will, hopefully, be in proper winter conditions. My winter courses and diary are filling up. If you have specific dates and especially weekends then booking early is highly recommended!<div><br /><div><a href="https://www.tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk/winter-courses-scotland.html" target="_blank">Details of all my winter courses are on my website. </a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZXmnk3e2RrEmzW3LmT0vlmrw5jEzZg6YJek4OJljk-upD842yxLtQR_Xafxvp8UVHwQIeUUvYPedVZHE3pbBQejwUh4KnQY772JUEPX2_AoDeEwn_WBgAuovd5N6-rKC0oDgfLh1zgJvSOw615yaewfkb-z4UhneGweYuuXkoqQ913lZSmcU8_qtnF4/s2048/392798750_6961538713881590_1825143669456864587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZXmnk3e2RrEmzW3LmT0vlmrw5jEzZg6YJek4OJljk-upD842yxLtQR_Xafxvp8UVHwQIeUUvYPedVZHE3pbBQejwUh4KnQY772JUEPX2_AoDeEwn_WBgAuovd5N6-rKC0oDgfLh1zgJvSOw615yaewfkb-z4UhneGweYuuXkoqQ913lZSmcU8_qtnF4/w640-h480/392798750_6961538713881590_1825143669456864587_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roughly the same location as the Trailing Azealia less than 1 week later!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDS4rMnmIkbpkACtCyFE3VCGr7S5EhVZOQRv9zrTUDsh0Txfpl5EJo4lcBaTGkscHz8IDltaCnkNgU3h2XTDqefBmTW8d9atODcEHqj36tjwz8u13-P0q6JpZ9iDKuvyN7JNsYpQWMwcBiX9XfI0xtYHD4Ax9kYRKl5hyphenhyphenbt61rgQuNr0xf_2U4CwjYzo/s2048/392796045_6961539737214821_4839067185352287578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDS4rMnmIkbpkACtCyFE3VCGr7S5EhVZOQRv9zrTUDsh0Txfpl5EJo4lcBaTGkscHz8IDltaCnkNgU3h2XTDqefBmTW8d9atODcEHqj36tjwz8u13-P0q6JpZ9iDKuvyN7JNsYpQWMwcBiX9XfI0xtYHD4Ax9kYRKl5hyphenhyphenbt61rgQuNr0xf_2U4CwjYzo/w640-h480/392796045_6961539737214821_4839067185352287578_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow above 900m, Monday 16th October</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpC6TCA-YX2Ps4youdWULO0TOp3SExR9qz16IfHpvbJoCXCsVrRyfpmq3ObNxcKB-a-GMwcCeR-iFdcMklhcKO7Cx0OjVuLZU9YPFereFBXgFvRPfzRuTsEU3PbOaRgkKuzPn_9xjhePQtSqzCoLepaV2nJJzpt4LFgMUfhv0Bj_c0H2BjBdZd1p1wz4/s2048/393494917_6961537250548403_3855946598632713655_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpC6TCA-YX2Ps4youdWULO0TOp3SExR9qz16IfHpvbJoCXCsVrRyfpmq3ObNxcKB-a-GMwcCeR-iFdcMklhcKO7Cx0OjVuLZU9YPFereFBXgFvRPfzRuTsEU3PbOaRgkKuzPn_9xjhePQtSqzCoLepaV2nJJzpt4LFgMUfhv0Bj_c0H2BjBdZd1p1wz4/w640-h480/393494917_6961537250548403_3855946598632713655_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rime ice galore, near the summit of Cairn Gorm</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqcsg7quA0SF2euz7c0drqQU10GLH1SfJDdvbxv5pO3Xf8be8iDTZpklIEPJWiM7DZPh-thiGKukM4EtnTV69qWo3vUZOAjq6IXY4ZlOtQgt65ZB2OU8sAxIg5d2JZY0W-wX-rvpQOw1J0ERFzI02EvEYbR9BQgYlSp_csRXPnjyWP68Anj4I65CVKlM/s2048/392949212_6965525033482958_2574376695535184295_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqcsg7quA0SF2euz7c0drqQU10GLH1SfJDdvbxv5pO3Xf8be8iDTZpklIEPJWiM7DZPh-thiGKukM4EtnTV69qWo3vUZOAjq6IXY4ZlOtQgt65ZB2OU8sAxIg5d2JZY0W-wX-rvpQOw1J0ERFzI02EvEYbR9BQgYlSp_csRXPnjyWP68Anj4I65CVKlM/w640-h480/392949212_6965525033482958_2574376695535184295_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">17th October, beautiful day on the high plateau</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NXy94rXjm34csI1MSvZX2dCqW4KWxp9Jgy07FldSUwXC4tuz53uESR34Ia8qOpHutDcfYO78QbRdA4rScXFJw7FWaJTQ0M_vw19iFy6c8AMQlEVzoRpZGBXl6wkhFy6bdBhOlAGTBqdsHPmlMPAfvFma0eAaABtmfWbJeZy8XaOtPBqKuxvwY8JxloM/s2048/392959367_6965529530149175_4207586278478876914_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NXy94rXjm34csI1MSvZX2dCqW4KWxp9Jgy07FldSUwXC4tuz53uESR34Ia8qOpHutDcfYO78QbRdA4rScXFJw7FWaJTQ0M_vw19iFy6c8AMQlEVzoRpZGBXl6wkhFy6bdBhOlAGTBqdsHPmlMPAfvFma0eAaABtmfWbJeZy8XaOtPBqKuxvwY8JxloM/w480-h640/392959367_6965529530149175_4207586278478876914_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Hare activity</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYfwgxmbpunH1KzVzSYsV5nfByZcCxgjbzEehjt4rqIrjAT3uQf7W8EcwHe9reQLMJ0crP6TOGMzdSjTl9HDfjNud-eImRNW3_qtNbXP6-MfWhYzBd6-PVhgzF8UGlGq8POZKrBCA6-5yOwoeJtNy-ekcG21Qiug_-4KF8wuw6ITnHo631kruqL12U2o/s2048/393598871_6965538023481659_3360697820557016457_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYfwgxmbpunH1KzVzSYsV5nfByZcCxgjbzEehjt4rqIrjAT3uQf7W8EcwHe9reQLMJ0crP6TOGMzdSjTl9HDfjNud-eImRNW3_qtNbXP6-MfWhYzBd6-PVhgzF8UGlGq8POZKrBCA6-5yOwoeJtNy-ekcG21Qiug_-4KF8wuw6ITnHo631kruqL12U2o/w480-h640/393598871_6965538023481659_3360697820557016457_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and Ptarmigan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5EX3vrb1Ai_haVvgfb4mVvVT6tYfh00j6bf3KWHFYph9dNkrYvYmNAAIdb23zn4c_tqh6NqABjh3-MXzjo-tdTahb6QUCukDKzKckgDcVGYDLyggsGkoh7VNhBzItcKFtY-PQ3R6eZMuNCL8zDOsoamPyrqV-unbYosvq_7y3kCrO0xcsfB5ch9x4B8/s2048/392811767_6965527420149386_7722285153389240975_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5EX3vrb1Ai_haVvgfb4mVvVT6tYfh00j6bf3KWHFYph9dNkrYvYmNAAIdb23zn4c_tqh6NqABjh3-MXzjo-tdTahb6QUCukDKzKckgDcVGYDLyggsGkoh7VNhBzItcKFtY-PQ3R6eZMuNCL8zDOsoamPyrqV-unbYosvq_7y3kCrO0xcsfB5ch9x4B8/w640-h480/392811767_6965527420149386_7722285153389240975_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn lochan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-86354138561884934962023-10-05T13:26:00.002+01:002023-10-05T13:26:44.270+01:00CAIRNGORM MUNROS, BEN NEVIS & AUTUMN<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyiy9ggK0HpXY1JU2rKTVkatn6QErYWbiu0j_-qg3z4iLyhVzYWaq4tN8D-qg3qtA9Iajf1C08E8t31YqCkfaRTCoGdIENd8uucce2bCLiJYEb6bLgLzmzsdM7pzqSNo0XWvTQ2wV34RD-o9oB3rvOLZiexmJwIdD2U2JeRPJJjIZXA66pb6wK45WfGM/s1440/381020929_6905804876121641_7561431706784380853_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyiy9ggK0HpXY1JU2rKTVkatn6QErYWbiu0j_-qg3z4iLyhVzYWaq4tN8D-qg3qtA9Iajf1C08E8t31YqCkfaRTCoGdIENd8uucce2bCLiJYEb6bLgLzmzsdM7pzqSNo0XWvTQ2wV34RD-o9oB3rvOLZiexmJwIdD2U2JeRPJJjIZXA66pb6wK45WfGM/w640-h480/381020929_6905804876121641_7561431706784380853_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy enjoying late afternoon sunshine, Glenfeshie Munros</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>The weather over the last couple of weeks has been very unsettled. The odd, brief day of calm and dry conditions but overall it has been a very wet and often windy start to the Autumn. </p><p>Last weekend Jeremy was out with me for two days of Munro 'bagging' here in the Cairngorms. He was up on holiday for the best part of a week from his home in Kent. Originally he had booked me for the Thursday and Friday but high winds of 50 - 70mph were forecast so the 2 days we rescheduled to Saturday and Sunday. Booking with Tarmachan Mountaineering I will always try to work around my availability, my groups availability and the weather!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffmeajdNG4PbDSUge-rNb3hkPgdUJFgrLqeBKf1a7NlS5CzwNtp0oxNI6ZQqGkaAspWvEXjEmRWvfDmm7iD9_xALTTibTd20rryYNl1CdL1xrPcrEj1QklTyzu4cJoH2mM3NlJFIt5DVbC-zTYmS9Wym27lP5TuswLmCsC4ML_CEYDXH1mxAvcYqAjs4/s2048/385752039_6899995796702549_7047610454869382240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffmeajdNG4PbDSUge-rNb3hkPgdUJFgrLqeBKf1a7NlS5CzwNtp0oxNI6ZQqGkaAspWvEXjEmRWvfDmm7iD9_xALTTibTd20rryYNl1CdL1xrPcrEj1QklTyzu4cJoH2mM3NlJFIt5DVbC-zTYmS9Wym27lP5TuswLmCsC4ML_CEYDXH1mxAvcYqAjs4/w640-h480/385752039_6899995796702549_7047610454869382240_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy at the finest viewpoint in The Cairngorms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>On Saturday we had a great day out climbing the Munros of Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm. Jeremy already has 22 Munros under his belt, scattered at various areas of the Highlands. He had never walked in The Cairngorms though. We walked these two high summits by their most scenic and exciting routes.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGU7J_w95yqiPX7SJQdJzu_gA__XK4uHyK4SMIeXDoynoUXID0b_7F_t6kOYW47jV3R9BhDVg2AX_YqfRfaD0TgOsfdbK5v5zFo9TpBAUf01rjQFtc47j87mcKsr_4dHOnp0p87Pvg2r5-Z5Fn8c6CTkaUAoD3TuKPB7znu6XDQAPhG_dstmmNiK8-6g/s2048/385781592_6899994866702642_1806844567679120848_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGU7J_w95yqiPX7SJQdJzu_gA__XK4uHyK4SMIeXDoynoUXID0b_7F_t6kOYW47jV3R9BhDVg2AX_YqfRfaD0TgOsfdbK5v5zFo9TpBAUf01rjQFtc47j87mcKsr_4dHOnp0p87Pvg2r5-Z5Fn8c6CTkaUAoD3TuKPB7znu6XDQAPhG_dstmmNiK8-6g/w640-h480/385781592_6899994866702642_1806844567679120848_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking wonderful</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fNZAhVHGouvA3jHILa5ZDApwnynWu0dfZwe4fvt1Mffg8QJTozUBGMZW5uSERD1Ot4ViQlOxTSDF5XP0RAcVa10elmnQtNvye_AOzWqL_YXHNqu16eyy_H3DL65vgBKCXpA4HRztQizrDWIXAsJ4ilTMBQ7AoCgCK-VjR54O6EKihinMYyVqhx2Y0KI/s2048/385775030_6899994590036003_1499389227084575760_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fNZAhVHGouvA3jHILa5ZDApwnynWu0dfZwe4fvt1Mffg8QJTozUBGMZW5uSERD1Ot4ViQlOxTSDF5XP0RAcVa10elmnQtNvye_AOzWqL_YXHNqu16eyy_H3DL65vgBKCXpA4HRztQizrDWIXAsJ4ilTMBQ7AoCgCK-VjR54O6EKihinMYyVqhx2Y0KI/w640-h480/385775030_6899994590036003_1499389227084575760_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiacaill Coire Sneachda </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AYSviljvax4zjyPlNujVZ5N6dpwU3xxXqvRqj_EshwRqroauiUxVHIbLcf0JTSTcttZGKVjpa3Snp6Ln6HJOg4YxbF3NejK0a1fDBifgQJPdHvTtDeHxJRoBSLqeHpZNp0w9NXVq_5VIxY2D-WZmkvqIBnhPejj8-GtDFQxBOq9En1WbBtc9ymWNKD8/s2048/385766072_6899996303369165_1936616482145076646_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AYSviljvax4zjyPlNujVZ5N6dpwU3xxXqvRqj_EshwRqroauiUxVHIbLcf0JTSTcttZGKVjpa3Snp6Ln6HJOg4YxbF3NejK0a1fDBifgQJPdHvTtDeHxJRoBSLqeHpZNp0w9NXVq_5VIxY2D-WZmkvqIBnhPejj8-GtDFQxBOq9En1WbBtc9ymWNKD8/w640-h480/385766072_6899996303369165_1936616482145076646_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely and quiet</td></tr></tbody></table>The morning was fine and the cloud off the tops. On our way over to Macdui the cloud base dropped. WE had to mingle with hordes of folk the last hour on the plateau leading to the summit of Scotland's second highest mountain.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSFQieP6nFlRSOoeUCwYCIgoYRcsSaLTWS0Cu2ORhYFo42Pm9aSMQlRQWSTTfjJYftvR9Eu_h-nwy9usJArqu-NZisIzfjpm_3atrTpwLl6q_fz6RTrVW4VIWI7DoSOkW6iac135WL0In4ucCrhMPSWy7wG6UhzGctPdczfexEcB02ycxxaiIb8Q16DU/s2048/385784172_6899994003369395_3925813739998528765_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSFQieP6nFlRSOoeUCwYCIgoYRcsSaLTWS0Cu2ORhYFo42Pm9aSMQlRQWSTTfjJYftvR9Eu_h-nwy9usJArqu-NZisIzfjpm_3atrTpwLl6q_fz6RTrVW4VIWI7DoSOkW6iac135WL0In4ucCrhMPSWy7wG6UhzGctPdczfexEcB02ycxxaiIb8Q16DU/w640-h480/385784172_6899994003369395_3925813739998528765_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire an Lochain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSXmiC0SsoG7hWuan-l6GLAxhVmxVTkM_DhnFDdEcqVmzOJuge0FpHHyEu5RspvjZPDEF99nqc4mOuG6NBADDuJaSNkW59Af5pbFpKqU4ltg7XcjkbHEk2QfvwQo6yr3fg5OAObDeK98wPWbnnngJRELJ4B_Jbwv0F4PD3wh0XtgtdwLw8EfBIJPW5Ms/s2048/385751674_6899995450035917_3867815735803484541_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSXmiC0SsoG7hWuan-l6GLAxhVmxVTkM_DhnFDdEcqVmzOJuge0FpHHyEu5RspvjZPDEF99nqc4mOuG6NBADDuJaSNkW59Af5pbFpKqU4ltg7XcjkbHEk2QfvwQo6yr3fg5OAObDeK98wPWbnnngJRELJ4B_Jbwv0F4PD3wh0XtgtdwLw8EfBIJPW5Ms/w640-h480/385751674_6899995450035917_3867815735803484541_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good views of Loch A'an</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVVMBlUxpXHhDZkIm6M3ovHNCxtycJ1YJ64S1oqmmFnDu_EWFlssGItmF4X4AUCqIPf0n24BGTE4pMHm9Prdeqm34z3MeQhzgNVIuryqOmH9TYpDhZD8aCHRLUmVEhVzAFwedLVN57ELsl2M61Ufp79JK3eZCUdFpq4Q_9X0zy-t011z64j_f9E570mU/s2048/384559325_6899995596702569_1325118727173620329_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVVMBlUxpXHhDZkIm6M3ovHNCxtycJ1YJ64S1oqmmFnDu_EWFlssGItmF4X4AUCqIPf0n24BGTE4pMHm9Prdeqm34z3MeQhzgNVIuryqOmH9TYpDhZD8aCHRLUmVEhVzAFwedLVN57ELsl2M61Ufp79JK3eZCUdFpq4Q_9X0zy-t011z64j_f9E570mU/w640-h480/384559325_6899995596702569_1325118727173620329_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Macdui summit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>There was just the odd, sort shower on our return leg to climb Cairn Gorm. The breeze picked up from less than 15 mph to about 30mph, just a wee Cairngorm breeze. The top of Cairn Gorm we had no views unfortunately but Jeremy was happy with his achievement.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebQrveXkcZsPOcgVuP8T-6TFSnpOA6AN2-L2dhYa1GCLNoAR2PhwKbrdOuU9LQU_Z1466MbkNOjCOtWo-p1yoSuhBRRQhRkbm4qQlQ2VG-nCsO9AkyUF7UOM4TsLF3fNsZe7E31-O6IdZu5f2Atif5QZVxJJ8XbzKlGlujM1fYs_AexYUT9WhMmQfCyc/s2048/385812850_6904155999619862_502601152826366727_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebQrveXkcZsPOcgVuP8T-6TFSnpOA6AN2-L2dhYa1GCLNoAR2PhwKbrdOuU9LQU_Z1466MbkNOjCOtWo-p1yoSuhBRRQhRkbm4qQlQ2VG-nCsO9AkyUF7UOM4TsLF3fNsZe7E31-O6IdZu5f2Atif5QZVxJJ8XbzKlGlujM1fYs_AexYUT9WhMmQfCyc/w640-h480/385812850_6904155999619862_502601152826366727_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The magnificent Coire Garbhlach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>On Sunday we set off to climb the two Munros above Glenfeshie, Sgor Gaoithe & Mullach Clach a' Bhlair. Most folk usually just walk up these Munros in two single outings. It makes a much longer day to climb the two hills in a day. The first hour or so we had some light rain and low cloud but we timed it perfectly, arriving at the summit of Sgurr Gaoithe just has the cloud broke and the sun came out.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWn-xkVQVVRwrAxLsf7KT6zlfzYK47hQ6GPhyphenhyphenEYj96uvGodW6MWHLlpdKi-zeWoxcHw6sV36ymWKaJZdnxDy1so7bKYtNX8kqC-b2JRynlf-0LhND2FAyOf71WM4rZZmYcJ-NZMNzCOomhA6e9nDJWSEvgLy813ri_O0Y8udt_v5SYGmZNEKS4-D1LNs/s1440/385065418_6905804852788310_4274624730013433134_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWn-xkVQVVRwrAxLsf7KT6zlfzYK47hQ6GPhyphenhyphenEYj96uvGodW6MWHLlpdKi-zeWoxcHw6sV36ymWKaJZdnxDy1so7bKYtNX8kqC-b2JRynlf-0LhND2FAyOf71WM4rZZmYcJ-NZMNzCOomhA6e9nDJWSEvgLy813ri_O0Y8udt_v5SYGmZNEKS4-D1LNs/w640-h480/385065418_6905804852788310_4274624730013433134_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The huge plateau between the two Munros</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI3stagGFDpSS6TkQ6BgmEZW64JzhvZQ4UDspvhI6c0XSGnTjXvxJG707LWOmT8g6GbIPPyDVNHXxWUESP4pEe5f3bgfIQV9C7960XVeSsgJ79n8AKOMkHBbZURLQAOCdS13vkansBNQzbCYhUIbLmottdm89UxKFyR6hlSeMdv_soDUq0e9e7luFP2c/s1440/381021065_6905804856121643_1753908281821986403_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI3stagGFDpSS6TkQ6BgmEZW64JzhvZQ4UDspvhI6c0XSGnTjXvxJG707LWOmT8g6GbIPPyDVNHXxWUESP4pEe5f3bgfIQV9C7960XVeSsgJ79n8AKOMkHBbZURLQAOCdS13vkansBNQzbCYhUIbLmottdm89UxKFyR6hlSeMdv_soDUq0e9e7luFP2c/w640-h480/381021065_6905804856121643_1753908281821986403_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sgurr Gaoithe summit and Braeriach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The winds eased on our traverse between the two summits. It was a glorious afternoon and after leaving Sgurr Gaoithe we saw hardly anyone. Mullach Clach a' Bhlair is a rather nondescript hill. The beauty lies in the huge amount of space and the lofty plateau, walking over 1000m for the 2 hours between Munro summits. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZ7a4hX3hJDAMybvof0ZYoa5W_8DoTdiOoQiALVQ37xm9prx8SpRaOYfM0CVNNaIQl4o6x9EW9rAGENRlkyCrfP8qj5dl3-lkFsXq59eyQf8IFNwG90U7Fw0tNYk6GcW6NgK_rHDcBASXDAuQCmhF8hkD_xi3rw1ay6ErfoVJY3r777JzVWxRDWnasPQ/s1440/385054801_6905804849454977_4935079535776585000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZ7a4hX3hJDAMybvof0ZYoa5W_8DoTdiOoQiALVQ37xm9prx8SpRaOYfM0CVNNaIQl4o6x9EW9rAGENRlkyCrfP8qj5dl3-lkFsXq59eyQf8IFNwG90U7Fw0tNYk6GcW6NgK_rHDcBASXDAuQCmhF8hkD_xi3rw1ay6ErfoVJY3r777JzVWxRDWnasPQ/w640-h480/385054801_6905804849454977_4935079535776585000_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braeriach & Loch Einich</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfOOcXpgInkUjAG7AwfFqvMDO0Gaft-cETn-ffalWBGTBwvDwRu-92fR47sDejN_5pmQ5aoIjIFIeJAzNbQXgvo0NJy9mX7QwZ0xB_MYpxswsDs_ZlrLnB9Sr3mWCQtpP2qyW_I2_6AW-e7hu6nAz02uB48hDsyIVfv_foI13bWDQfoa43qCtDb281Z8/s1440/381025167_6905804859454976_6433634764711362353_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfOOcXpgInkUjAG7AwfFqvMDO0Gaft-cETn-ffalWBGTBwvDwRu-92fR47sDejN_5pmQ5aoIjIFIeJAzNbQXgvo0NJy9mX7QwZ0xB_MYpxswsDs_ZlrLnB9Sr3mWCQtpP2qyW_I2_6AW-e7hu6nAz02uB48hDsyIVfv_foI13bWDQfoa43qCtDb281Z8/w640-h480/381025167_6905804859454976_6433634764711362353_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mullach Clach a' Bhlair summit</td></tr></tbody></table> Mullach Clach a' Bhlair's finest feature is the stunning, wild and beautiful Coire Garbhlach as you descend into Glenfeshie. If you venture into this coire you will almost certainly see no one at all. Pathless, remote, wild and wonderful!<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuE2_-xq6WBNwJmRRqEsjSCq0758fKOAziabbb5ea3T11VGnLGvIYuLV9SOmLEbFIrPnPUR-YtfYkDZXTZG15jQOEAJhSLx-hkiJkj-T9i45lzljHyatE3ZxNpWc-Yqc07vwtVSuRoDdaKTlqTwDwo_EZ2g0-6-5ahHTtZnN8J1sfBEeznWWEXCZUseko/s1440/385027377_6905804866121642_1284066330846403952_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuE2_-xq6WBNwJmRRqEsjSCq0758fKOAziabbb5ea3T11VGnLGvIYuLV9SOmLEbFIrPnPUR-YtfYkDZXTZG15jQOEAJhSLx-hkiJkj-T9i45lzljHyatE3ZxNpWc-Yqc07vwtVSuRoDdaKTlqTwDwo_EZ2g0-6-5ahHTtZnN8J1sfBEeznWWEXCZUseko/w640-h480/385027377_6905804866121642_1284066330846403952_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire Garbhlach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWuGuFHFTl8p0FGGQgKAZBv6L49mzOpXGQHMEj081RmxwfbO_LxQq-PsTmUh68z2YZRPajn8cCG53quOn7OESORHKuE6dNhf-mNq5_YEzIWFZYqgyVQ3j6tAOZUe7C_v4O9lWF3TPMgxIZnYsYMnNa2feBStGTgxvM7k6mbJZehMMrWCbLZBzGAIs7II/s2048/385808363_6904156902953105_9039529034231816786_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWuGuFHFTl8p0FGGQgKAZBv6L49mzOpXGQHMEj081RmxwfbO_LxQq-PsTmUh68z2YZRPajn8cCG53quOn7OESORHKuE6dNhf-mNq5_YEzIWFZYqgyVQ3j6tAOZUe7C_v4O9lWF3TPMgxIZnYsYMnNa2feBStGTgxvM7k6mbJZehMMrWCbLZBzGAIs7II/w640-h480/385808363_6904156902953105_9039529034231816786_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire Garbhlach & Glen Feshie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l482zwbay4k8kW8V2YknGkLOOYggsRiWa4urxxkzmm8PjeoFZIYzLh5J0abe_BYJrbx4SKjvoJvk-OfVUf0mYKJewg5urgtwEfDJ0nJD3_00q25GW57Dc7Q3UYUfc8Nd3sts0ZATGE_HuJWawr_Dr72k1_qL84ykJwHJUMsNCf2U6u7VqbMFNAYVH4Y/s1440/385837600_6905804872788308_931033437607701797_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l482zwbay4k8kW8V2YknGkLOOYggsRiWa4urxxkzmm8PjeoFZIYzLh5J0abe_BYJrbx4SKjvoJvk-OfVUf0mYKJewg5urgtwEfDJ0nJD3_00q25GW57Dc7Q3UYUfc8Nd3sts0ZATGE_HuJWawr_Dr72k1_qL84ykJwHJUMsNCf2U6u7VqbMFNAYVH4Y/w640-h480/385837600_6905804872788308_931033437607701797_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glen Feshie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The long, easy track that runs beside Coire Garbhlach is wonderful and easy. Views all the way down into Glenfeshie. Our walk was finished off in early evening along this beautiful glen. A wonderful, tranquil mix of river and forest. This is how Scotland should look like. A marvellous long term rewilding project from the land owner who is absolutely committed to Europe's largest, long term rewilding program. Check out the details of how this is being achieved:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk/why-rewild/what-is-rewilding/an-introduction-to-rewilding/defining-rewilding" target="_blank">Scotland, the Big Picture</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Jeremy was staying at Grantown on Spey for his week long holiday. Far more affordable than a lot of accommodation everywhere just now. Take heed all hotels.<a href="https://www.grantarmshotel.com/" target="_blank"> The Grant Arms Hotel in Grantown</a> is a fabulous place. Jeremy paid £65 per night for a single room, full breakfast (served from 7am, brilliant!), friendly staff and the hotel is renowned for their <a href="https://www.grantarmshotel.com/wildlife/" target="_blank">wildlife holidays and evening wildlife presentations</a> and talks. One of the best hotels in The Highlands!<br /><div><br /><p>BEN NEVIS</p><p>Every now and again I tip my toes on Ben Nevis's Pony Track or Mountain Path has its been renamed. During my years living in Fort William I guided up and down this route many, many times. If you're looking for solitude in the mountains you certainly won't find it up this path! Towards the end of September I was marshalling with a few other Mountain Leaders, looking after a big charity group who were raising funds for the <a href="https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwvfmoBhAwEiwAG2tqzAtzCR0KOsTSgX0upi0AmU6JaKh2ByBL9RyUqoy1ML1HqL6zSIAslxoCKW8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Marie Curie charity</a> A fantastic cause and over 100 folk who aren't regular hillwalkers mad a huge effort getting up to the top (and down again!) of Ben Nevis. It was a glorious day for it too. Not many of those recently!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBxjFyYSiOKYdKGwdmLbMMse7JKeShrcSlcHTX57ZDNWvvmpK7vV1YNiMFpH-nChFNXY_-c5KdjQQQ8lX6cACJ37f-s21rFpzgm0OZBbJkorC3dlnlba8ZxAR0ldH5IQQLJimKoo5r-UYqyElY5gEzYgdnPKD23Vdiow3NyBTN7TTJaAzWETFzuRkqfg/s2048/382459896_6875206209181508_2050907989577641563_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBxjFyYSiOKYdKGwdmLbMMse7JKeShrcSlcHTX57ZDNWvvmpK7vV1YNiMFpH-nChFNXY_-c5KdjQQQ8lX6cACJ37f-s21rFpzgm0OZBbJkorC3dlnlba8ZxAR0ldH5IQQLJimKoo5r-UYqyElY5gEzYgdnPKD23Vdiow3NyBTN7TTJaAzWETFzuRkqfg/w640-h480/382459896_6875206209181508_2050907989577641563_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quieter period in the afternoon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ipfhhAN8JlCTQ5RfQTwrnOuDiokMB87UxJJ_yaT4EL6QkcsMwUXcYW-F3ku9KXKblhyphenhyphendkDvpvBr3E45kYaStwknVxCAzXy3cw3oI7Pwc0qqDSGE4agYIy5isrJqxfiLBjF7qvQ1yTB7hL3sBzRGtNitlWEc6ElJRBnZyuyfB2GQfos-YN-Du4X5jcn4/s2048/382475697_6875206355848160_6008779726475694845_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1853" data-original-width="2048" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ipfhhAN8JlCTQ5RfQTwrnOuDiokMB87UxJJ_yaT4EL6QkcsMwUXcYW-F3ku9KXKblhyphenhyphendkDvpvBr3E45kYaStwknVxCAzXy3cw3oI7Pwc0qqDSGE4agYIy5isrJqxfiLBjF7qvQ1yTB7hL3sBzRGtNitlWEc6ElJRBnZyuyfB2GQfos-YN-Du4X5jcn4/w640-h580/382475697_6875206355848160_6008779726475694845_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo88Sbwh4z6skbkAQ6Hqr7HqvOsor3yer0xCiPGfk0Xn0eQ-8xEjKJCmalJcNHA4PMsLPqy8xkdOgcjyZ-mFj5mZCl8Rt0BgrguhWqnPM-UEk0JFTcZpAjCWzjdFK7P9MAyv4SG5rEG8rubfq-b1tjHxbc2qNGAyGjITMA-E4k9Y1CP6XJuCnLOBuL9o/s1824/382471450_6875299529172176_6803373744104719511_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo88Sbwh4z6skbkAQ6Hqr7HqvOsor3yer0xCiPGfk0Xn0eQ-8xEjKJCmalJcNHA4PMsLPqy8xkdOgcjyZ-mFj5mZCl8Rt0BgrguhWqnPM-UEk0JFTcZpAjCWzjdFK7P9MAyv4SG5rEG8rubfq-b1tjHxbc2qNGAyGjITMA-E4k9Y1CP6XJuCnLOBuL9o/w640-h480/382471450_6875299529172176_6803373744104719511_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glorious and quiet early morning</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZEyRJLlcO4rXucsdY6N9yWNJtTxzxENle4_SeshSzRySZNCif5Kyl5bqsFBFqVDppFLp6cJvLSxLhUlarr9iwU8Ebz3BEowTIvcFVbs8lGD-SCp5oZVNptTrP5Ryc-aIbeXTVC-cFfP9EcJpsgV7rUeq4IPeMma0cBBk4eaKXeU0Nx7mJ8hDNUZmKiU/s2048/382466667_6875207069181422_8780653771494974253_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZEyRJLlcO4rXucsdY6N9yWNJtTxzxENle4_SeshSzRySZNCif5Kyl5bqsFBFqVDppFLp6cJvLSxLhUlarr9iwU8Ebz3BEowTIvcFVbs8lGD-SCp5oZVNptTrP5Ryc-aIbeXTVC-cFfP9EcJpsgV7rUeq4IPeMma0cBBk4eaKXeU0Nx7mJ8hDNUZmKiU/w640-h480/382466667_6875207069181422_8780653771494974253_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhwq2AsAQKn8sNIeGv8Y3EIgN3BmLb8JN-rhMscmKr05oEsUBLvPrt_UkiuhSkSS118YoKyhwT8WWX5ME_bR-KZJQXnDL4ZzqORL0TeV5lbZYJ7vtqNKB-5xE-39JxSgFxprVPuA_eCdqXWX6TTCUys4HAsf_YJrtNBelNLHoYpfzwvv74e9YF_Id5fk/s1824/382486948_6875299625838833_4551952404671706575_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhwq2AsAQKn8sNIeGv8Y3EIgN3BmLb8JN-rhMscmKr05oEsUBLvPrt_UkiuhSkSS118YoKyhwT8WWX5ME_bR-KZJQXnDL4ZzqORL0TeV5lbZYJ7vtqNKB-5xE-39JxSgFxprVPuA_eCdqXWX6TTCUys4HAsf_YJrtNBelNLHoYpfzwvv74e9YF_Id5fk/w640-h480/382486948_6875299625838833_4551952404671706575_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very quiet summit of Ben Nevis</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>A few more photos from the last few days back in the Cairngorms. Won't be long before the colours are looking stunning. Usually mid to late October the leaves are at their finest, if they don't get blown off. A few cold snaps will be nice too, far too warm (and we). </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg424X80PV8bX0hkOgRcfvriUMEnJ_05cbuWLTUKXpELT8V0D4UB0rfDWzp3FtIPKoAJe0mwq1jILp-Qor_l42be1NQZBiaVWbmM_FKvYoMul9KO9IOLP6X7STGcVt9nHzBzImhHWYCBQ6apASQGyVoqODGLINfzdaW7qiouaRVVQFxQJVZ0Per9oLeYYA/s1600/378391119_6887903787911750_7885863551176336600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg424X80PV8bX0hkOgRcfvriUMEnJ_05cbuWLTUKXpELT8V0D4UB0rfDWzp3FtIPKoAJe0mwq1jILp-Qor_l42be1NQZBiaVWbmM_FKvYoMul9KO9IOLP6X7STGcVt9nHzBzImhHWYCBQ6apASQGyVoqODGLINfzdaW7qiouaRVVQFxQJVZ0Per9oLeYYA/w640-h480/378391119_6887903787911750_7885863551176336600_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly Agric</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLTW1c9q0z9G6GUqYuqVoRxiH69QrLsFxdeM080MMr3yyDI-HtyFsa0CHmiNxKD6dp0g7UvBErUKTLE1uUGC1snkJ4UlGfVeqipiQ6Xf6JOSjnr5_hW0knF3qXNjYhIUFScTFdzX3dZ3xL1SqnHfQWsvhTnRiNEQ5-nmkRdWAZQ1bJgYKwww-HLAIWJ8/s2048/383848787_6887910841244378_4223179943095075690_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLTW1c9q0z9G6GUqYuqVoRxiH69QrLsFxdeM080MMr3yyDI-HtyFsa0CHmiNxKD6dp0g7UvBErUKTLE1uUGC1snkJ4UlGfVeqipiQ6Xf6JOSjnr5_hW0knF3qXNjYhIUFScTFdzX3dZ3xL1SqnHfQWsvhTnRiNEQ5-nmkRdWAZQ1bJgYKwww-HLAIWJ8/w640-h480/383848787_6887910841244378_4223179943095075690_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn colours coming along</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3Ne10wh3TXKoRpSY0wQG-hkVhlG2QORPBOU2HGSwaeDdlETs94iZdCBMkKjQz35KKzjMwmEXc_0katf9r2etW8GbPowWFO8PA8ZzxGESd_eZ8ck-aFO4jwEaWC3wGb1HBkV3odaslOBT_hjlDwDH282tt8pQ5AreNE6rPvBjovF2qsrkwy1O_DJoBpw/s2048/386159271_6910985482270247_5518123988052834951_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3Ne10wh3TXKoRpSY0wQG-hkVhlG2QORPBOU2HGSwaeDdlETs94iZdCBMkKjQz35KKzjMwmEXc_0katf9r2etW8GbPowWFO8PA8ZzxGESd_eZ8ck-aFO4jwEaWC3wGb1HBkV3odaslOBT_hjlDwDH282tt8pQ5AreNE6rPvBjovF2qsrkwy1O_DJoBpw/w480-h640/386159271_6910985482270247_5518123988052834951_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blaeberry</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFYG4LS8J_zNV23CXG3LQV-eLVDBc5d8ZLoIt_ARSGqHUeXyAti0JFdCDxBufh_Po_r_ODNY-MSI0Oft8mGClsEWdckaw-nZ8tJOj-PR3hkYl3Exg3YbRkTPjVnbs3xiHXmoQHmDEST1R0xj3KwD5KgDlOdOZI9KCVUfeOxuzHuYHBmg8oThaCfBRD_g/s6240/DSCF6016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFYG4LS8J_zNV23CXG3LQV-eLVDBc5d8ZLoIt_ARSGqHUeXyAti0JFdCDxBufh_Po_r_ODNY-MSI0Oft8mGClsEWdckaw-nZ8tJOj-PR3hkYl3Exg3YbRkTPjVnbs3xiHXmoQHmDEST1R0xj3KwD5KgDlOdOZI9KCVUfeOxuzHuYHBmg8oThaCfBRD_g/w640-h426/DSCF6016.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowberry in beautiful Autumn red</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIY6dfiq16lYJQ1bdPYiSvdBn7rdiSvF9qbaas2YTlFTNlG2vjOCc_GGKZ0oeeMKPG5QPzCT1GtXQSKk7Hcd5dIuWuONHs7g19WnumXc3wrm_sdoMoHPbK-l9kcCKF3N3-BCgiYa2KjCV5ec8ffmASSkDyg4xQ17GtKLGTxx_OKMknBOmZT27j2iddEQc/s6240/DSCF6004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIY6dfiq16lYJQ1bdPYiSvdBn7rdiSvF9qbaas2YTlFTNlG2vjOCc_GGKZ0oeeMKPG5QPzCT1GtXQSKk7Hcd5dIuWuONHs7g19WnumXc3wrm_sdoMoHPbK-l9kcCKF3N3-BCgiYa2KjCV5ec8ffmASSkDyg4xQ17GtKLGTxx_OKMknBOmZT27j2iddEQc/w640-h426/DSCF6004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fine morning, rain later on this day. The norm recently</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmefkYUbqCOF9rLbxRX02Ku6ZURRAwIdmKcuyrSXfCmJ_xnRsdu_mzCU7IV7cyblHvTFQYdOGHhBrw-ubHgyFEpEId0RsHPZW7l5ds4UNKKc3uhappTR5CO1uSgLycC6GT_CMKK4Iteqhrkr22jdcbbAORtKVb9HSswdPnEijRWP-gwzYRrgB51LEUTk/s4751/DSCF6049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2899" data-original-width="4751" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmefkYUbqCOF9rLbxRX02Ku6ZURRAwIdmKcuyrSXfCmJ_xnRsdu_mzCU7IV7cyblHvTFQYdOGHhBrw-ubHgyFEpEId0RsHPZW7l5ds4UNKKc3uhappTR5CO1uSgLycC6GT_CMKK4Iteqhrkr22jdcbbAORtKVb9HSswdPnEijRWP-gwzYRrgB51LEUTk/w640-h390/DSCF6049.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys will be changing into their winter coats soon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582514855904190918.post-81143732826404178472023-09-20T18:19:00.006+01:002023-09-20T18:20:02.312+01:00TORRIDON & MY LAST ALPINE GUIDING OF 2023<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcRGBThDqBYaGIwuTs0oFDndExileot_7B4iRYFf3CP7p7dQBUFSbjdyUjplbishuyfa8hP8q06G4HBSv-UgCyl4dPU2GefAwFWmkaJ1So1ee-YKIalAYr0ej0qPAQWzCOLXkM8OOGjDt-_S20nSJ3qJucKVMWD9ee8y1NHha5Urruw7c-v8yVMlpPa8/s6240/DSCF0013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcRGBThDqBYaGIwuTs0oFDndExileot_7B4iRYFf3CP7p7dQBUFSbjdyUjplbishuyfa8hP8q06G4HBSv-UgCyl4dPU2GefAwFWmkaJ1So1ee-YKIalAYr0ej0qPAQWzCOLXkM8OOGjDt-_S20nSJ3qJucKVMWD9ee8y1NHha5Urruw7c-v8yVMlpPa8/w640-h426/DSCF0013.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trekking on the Haute Route</td></tr></tbody></table>It's been a busy few weeks for Tarmachan Mountaineering. Towards the end of August I had the pleasure to guide a bespoke Torridon trip for Darren & Shelley. This remarkable couple from Canada make regular visits to the UK and especially the Scottish Highlands. For the last few years they have been bagging the Munro summits. No mean feat when you have to travel across the Atlantic on every foray! They were super keen for me to guide them on the spectacular Torridon Munros.<p></p><p>The weather forecast for their 5 days in Torridon wasn't looking too good. An unsettled period towards the end of August, with cooler temperatures on the tops. But these hardy folk are made of strong stuff. We kicked off on Beinn Alligin.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVldDh9CGsFVuWfDxfi0sCIIpVDtTrDlpj8T0GCnfecaUdpkk1BjHRdByHNQGpBvtsjqrT_RHGpr8r0CIyr61DMAR-sJd1IN7F67f6W_y3uzxXKYq1yPKILXp4rCv8Dr5e-PqQDAxpYfcZ2eLUPfeqGTnNgSECA41KOP0ObJqnxF3UXWiu8j5JdDk9OU/s1088/371758091_6777696805599116_7090978533517426727_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVldDh9CGsFVuWfDxfi0sCIIpVDtTrDlpj8T0GCnfecaUdpkk1BjHRdByHNQGpBvtsjqrT_RHGpr8r0CIyr61DMAR-sJd1IN7F67f6W_y3uzxXKYq1yPKILXp4rCv8Dr5e-PqQDAxpYfcZ2eLUPfeqGTnNgSECA41KOP0ObJqnxF3UXWiu8j5JdDk9OU/w480-h640/371758091_6777696805599116_7090978533517426727_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tackling the Horns of Alligin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJj-burp92AZwn1YDxx3QpdyfOd6dQccSS68bJ30HpOVgLF8QM2_MRmgsgxBXhhiYGSQKIZxZRmr1V4wT-yllibH5bsBPl5ECCkhwLfMz1H13X6nvBu9nEdw22dUwUL8okA9WqOxlDgPgJfzfbPznlAcNZpoFvyz-ERYn7ioGDHN6GJ7bNHihZXyvKJ0/s1088/371765428_6777692252266238_6044098607238343227_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJj-burp92AZwn1YDxx3QpdyfOd6dQccSS68bJ30HpOVgLF8QM2_MRmgsgxBXhhiYGSQKIZxZRmr1V4wT-yllibH5bsBPl5ECCkhwLfMz1H13X6nvBu9nEdw22dUwUL8okA9WqOxlDgPgJfzfbPznlAcNZpoFvyz-ERYn7ioGDHN6GJ7bNHihZXyvKJ0/w640-h480/371765428_6777692252266238_6044098607238343227_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some views, occasional</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh33NDS7RQ3YjzxCWfdxwKMHvCfP5DRgtvjZ-wNpzupZjIkMGnaJ6FgIU4hcPTSI3Sndfs0X1PrHvhnC8bbo2uYXOssnLj3ASZjH6xBcf5XPqcXNIphCEhGIx2WOWTutL6ADlk_7_qQGs0ihMmQ99tFMnQVaaTRyp_r01J6p1w1zLOCmA37r1VdIeDTw8/s1088/370914452_6777692088932921_1056469070739317967_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh33NDS7RQ3YjzxCWfdxwKMHvCfP5DRgtvjZ-wNpzupZjIkMGnaJ6FgIU4hcPTSI3Sndfs0X1PrHvhnC8bbo2uYXOssnLj3ASZjH6xBcf5XPqcXNIphCEhGIx2WOWTutL6ADlk_7_qQGs0ihMmQ99tFMnQVaaTRyp_r01J6p1w1zLOCmA37r1VdIeDTw8/w640-h480/370914452_6777692088932921_1056469070739317967_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darren and Shelley on Sgor Mor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It started off dry but by midday we got cloud and some drizzle. The views appeared now and again. By the time we reached The Horns, the rain made a more concerted effort to get us wet. Always fun tackling the horns, even when there is no views to be had. We were quite amazed by a group of young folk, one of which was carrying a very young baby. The baby was being carried in a correct and quality made baby carrier rucksack. I wouldn't have dreamed of scrambling over the horns which are Grade 1. The group were obviously very inexperienced as they asked 'which way is it'? Judging by their own attire and the lack of navigation/planning I was quite concerned for their baby and them! Thankfully they had a think and sidled around the scrambling. Even on this traverse path I was quite concerned. By the time we got back to the carpark there were no other cars so thankfully they made it down in one group.</p><p>Shelly and Darren had a great day and a good intro to the Torridon giants. We were based in Broadford on Skye for the week. Yes, Skye! Obviously in Canada a 3 hour round drive to Torridon and back is a piece of cake and no big deal! We were very well catered for at the excellent cafe at Broadford. Open until 9pm and very friendly staff with fantastic pizzas, the best on Skye!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFt86EGzBPYCR9_6UL8q044WC7Gkt9Iko6y1TBL9tZfZI8Yr1jSmFMxYdoF09yIdFw8eJLLyIrpLZjEGpUKaK0OhP_YCpX0aPaBlGHOXSOan-X2kgV2oQWPaZ-zHv38xsdbaqa33lM53LGzOVvopPjSTh8moRc1bLKsmfZ8b2oxb-LMRVcH76JC0QyFs/s2048/370183689_6779470272088436_1938908263255788797_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFt86EGzBPYCR9_6UL8q044WC7Gkt9Iko6y1TBL9tZfZI8Yr1jSmFMxYdoF09yIdFw8eJLLyIrpLZjEGpUKaK0OhP_YCpX0aPaBlGHOXSOan-X2kgV2oQWPaZ-zHv38xsdbaqa33lM53LGzOVvopPjSTh8moRc1bLKsmfZ8b2oxb-LMRVcH76JC0QyFs/w480-h640/370183689_6779470272088436_1938908263255788797_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coire Lair and Sgorr Ruadh</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Su9KRUHwWuO4zQuo4yl-DRXeE4ZmYLC6fALZL9cx35xPpGPA-hBf_8pTGT6zDJQpWghHrzpCnh0kRVMtpUPRWyWeHMSwX_cXBC9qbRXZ_1z4mIpq3btypD1uLAT7H4PP4-A3zykAhDCP2A244xGBOHUg3Yol6jZP2tOhzSK4EAhw2sUcGi8vw11_Ut4/s2048/370188071_6779467345422062_4729461651500059434_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Su9KRUHwWuO4zQuo4yl-DRXeE4ZmYLC6fALZL9cx35xPpGPA-hBf_8pTGT6zDJQpWghHrzpCnh0kRVMtpUPRWyWeHMSwX_cXBC9qbRXZ_1z4mIpq3btypD1uLAT7H4PP4-A3zykAhDCP2A244xGBOHUg3Yol6jZP2tOhzSK4EAhw2sUcGi8vw11_Ut4/w640-h480/370188071_6779467345422062_4729461651500059434_n%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decent views today</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Day 2 saw us on Sgorr Ruadh. This is one of my favourite mountains (there are many in the NW that go with this label!). We had some great weather and we got views!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsn_6P7QLKjs6CqD69NvfbMmw1THjHoZiC4ws2UkX6V7sNUIT5bax38ZJ1i6nQVcqL1uoRfa-f2ifTxg7uceD1MBZoTCmdeHP_EyZtL1rqkoKMEKkTnBzKWhAHqTNt-Eu8juQRLMb_hqZEA1_DUqgUgabpzvDFYkkUtcbYkUfmX6KnTgZrqJzR5Lugvy0/s2048/370195954_6779471312088332_569760050278173219_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsn_6P7QLKjs6CqD69NvfbMmw1THjHoZiC4ws2UkX6V7sNUIT5bax38ZJ1i6nQVcqL1uoRfa-f2ifTxg7uceD1MBZoTCmdeHP_EyZtL1rqkoKMEKkTnBzKWhAHqTNt-Eu8juQRLMb_hqZEA1_DUqgUgabpzvDFYkkUtcbYkUfmX6KnTgZrqJzR5Lugvy0/w640-h480/370195954_6779471312088332_569760050278173219_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across to Mol Chean Dearg from the summit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP_rdUS7NmgV7k9xLWBaF-WQGfk27wnZyHVDZGdXoLEGbfXoaU9lkrOtyfP42GDYnKszlgA-sGqu4GfXRV9p7Wsd3OzxOzAiaFWieiNcG2WRop1cs6R0mCsSLVi8lAGa7rjfKcmFZxPnXHYrp1MOmFf0vDasNiH3Vs-Z486JyOAd9fLbFEVW7COSg1EM/s2048/371076168_6779471662088297_7562679581354547374_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP_rdUS7NmgV7k9xLWBaF-WQGfk27wnZyHVDZGdXoLEGbfXoaU9lkrOtyfP42GDYnKszlgA-sGqu4GfXRV9p7Wsd3OzxOzAiaFWieiNcG2WRop1cs6R0mCsSLVi8lAGa7rjfKcmFZxPnXHYrp1MOmFf0vDasNiH3Vs-Z486JyOAd9fLbFEVW7COSg1EM/w640-h480/371076168_6779471662088297_7562679581354547374_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liathach almost peeping out of the clouds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We ad a great day and were contemplating a second Munro, Beinn Liath Mor but decided that the long trip back to Skye with the possibility of missing out on the pizza and beer too much to risk! These mountains need to be enjoyed and savoured, not just figures on your Strava records!</p><p>Day 3 looked a dodgy day with thunder and lightening forecast, so it was a leisurely bimble on Skye. Ironically there were some good sunny spells between the heavy showers on Skye. Looking across to the mainland it looked very black though.</p><p>Day 4</p><p>Back to Torridon and with another forecast of cloud and rain we decided on Beinn Eighe. It was much colder and we did get some views lower down the hill but unfortunately we were in the clag most of the day.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7J0Nr64Q_fFGphCPjJwL33xjeXxff9VPxLAJplxkmXDtfY0m9EE2qqIbPiDfLP-dY_dH9LOHwAWSieVdkuiTaCx5XK-v94ieOApljW5764yoXf8yPx1BonYtxWbYYv2i8akciS-OAPwGy3Fkfu2ku3by4O7zNd5d0bwIrsWRF97o2A1ejyR-JYcwApo/s2048/373536316_6786895828012547_2455567143723247757_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7J0Nr64Q_fFGphCPjJwL33xjeXxff9VPxLAJplxkmXDtfY0m9EE2qqIbPiDfLP-dY_dH9LOHwAWSieVdkuiTaCx5XK-v94ieOApljW5764yoXf8yPx1BonYtxWbYYv2i8akciS-OAPwGy3Fkfu2ku3by4O7zNd5d0bwIrsWRF97o2A1ejyR-JYcwApo/w480-h640/373536316_6786895828012547_2455567143723247757_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final steps up to </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBke70w4EyguI9TRb_Bavf2qbrKfhMkbYJZJebtedxQcdR8IuvEboqGlASuISYSlCgxbIwDj-emzZeRfSjeGnfQ8ieqGKjLVjNd_C7H7_OaRy2t8CW_nA5ImYnUAgNQ9w8g8vKO47qJevO2hZiVxRCY0GKGTr7Ez5XCs20dpznCDhLK1PnJqnuOetblQ/s2048/372966411_6786896184679178_7807913138846942008_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBke70w4EyguI9TRb_Bavf2qbrKfhMkbYJZJebtedxQcdR8IuvEboqGlASuISYSlCgxbIwDj-emzZeRfSjeGnfQ8ieqGKjLVjNd_C7H7_OaRy2t8CW_nA5ImYnUAgNQ9w8g8vKO47qJevO2hZiVxRCY0GKGTr7Ez5XCs20dpznCDhLK1PnJqnuOetblQ/w480-h640/372966411_6786896184679178_7807913138846942008_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No views, but another one in the bag</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We decided that Beinn Eighe and Coire Mhic Fearchair needed a fair weather day to appreciate it's grandeur and stunning scenery, so only 1 summit today. We saw very few folk out on the hill. The ones we did see were clad in shorts and one couple asking 'where is the summit? Is it this way' We were on a ridge. Although we gave them the answer, one of them whipped out their phone just to confirm we weren't conning them!</p><p>Day 5</p><p>A beautiful day! At last! Darren and Shelley deserved this. But unfortunately we had some car troubles! Never mind, theyhad quite a few Munros that they had yet to tick in the Glen Shiel area. So we used the excellent Citylink bus service that has regular and well timed service between Skye and Glen Shiel. We chose Beinn Attow for todays final trip.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecgfKZEWjtIzcvABWcWdj4F5TZ2OL3Zpzg_ie1Xpa78KHMw5e_C2-pbOX3XWh3Is-nMLmhBVhix_gnufh4TyzblHZRcHthfGxzSkIN--R5-Nm9WMwwxB6VCu532_WjgDR4QTeWYqRnzMS9knqYklacqy1gaKP4Q4su2i1Db5uBX8LeDt3OJAFFeUqVKc/s2048/373054789_6789868357715294_5255929273680271349_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecgfKZEWjtIzcvABWcWdj4F5TZ2OL3Zpzg_ie1Xpa78KHMw5e_C2-pbOX3XWh3Is-nMLmhBVhix_gnufh4TyzblHZRcHthfGxzSkIN--R5-Nm9WMwwxB6VCu532_WjgDR4QTeWYqRnzMS9knqYklacqy1gaKP4Q4su2i1Db5uBX8LeDt3OJAFFeUqVKc/w640-h480/373054789_6789868357715294_5255929273680271349_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glorious sunshine and views!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oCSwvVwixPRr3WJVLkN4TlJRpFYyWKiAbxgKSZTj3mFBXTP_4NEupji-EUdCRLSGtQ4ddkVyFPvW-8oDMkqUTjmRjuI111f_IvIuWY9CBts3rekv4G-ingzk7cXxxuKE4bZc3AIzvnIVpDVADa21Pnssi8lt0U8Aht-shidB-nq8zLuecK1cKfJBD2U/s2048/373028984_6789869071048556_8603281026833124494_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oCSwvVwixPRr3WJVLkN4TlJRpFYyWKiAbxgKSZTj3mFBXTP_4NEupji-EUdCRLSGtQ4ddkVyFPvW-8oDMkqUTjmRjuI111f_IvIuWY9CBts3rekv4G-ingzk7cXxxuKE4bZc3AIzvnIVpDVADa21Pnssi8lt0U8Aht-shidB-nq8zLuecK1cKfJBD2U/w640-h480/373028984_6789869071048556_8603281026833124494_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A well deserved summit, we saw no one all day!</td></tr></tbody></table>Beinn Attow is quite unique in this area of narrow ridges. The summit area is more reminiscent of the Cairngorm plateau. It is a beautiful and long approach on excellent stalkers paths to gain this big, bulky summit. Amazingly we saw no one all the way up! A stunningly beautiful day. <div><br /></div><div>A top 5 days with Shelley and Darren. They've already booked me for some winter Munros in March and another summer trip next year. Winter in Torridon here we come!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc5cNIj_kZmYPN93vvw-beFiFTmzJIHDJLz0Hr6x_6DMTmxmCNCqKMMNxiMqQe8QgvOVVqaAQVmS7-zh7Bz-DhaAegFTm8GwZpRA2GCtdbryqdTrnpaxiZrMuSadKmv5lgL1fQ6HXIdYC4HfU_tiKZQ8h0UvOBd1t6nUeiQu1BEVKlUq-cqUA0q481NA/s6240/DSCF0006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc5cNIj_kZmYPN93vvw-beFiFTmzJIHDJLz0Hr6x_6DMTmxmCNCqKMMNxiMqQe8QgvOVVqaAQVmS7-zh7Bz-DhaAegFTm8GwZpRA2GCtdbryqdTrnpaxiZrMuSadKmv5lgL1fQ6HXIdYC4HfU_tiKZQ8h0UvOBd1t6nUeiQu1BEVKlUq-cqUA0q481NA/w640-h426/DSCF0006.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lac Louvie and Grand Combin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>A quick turnaround and early September I was guiding my last Walkers Haute Route for 2023. Here's a few images from 10 days of guiding on one of the finest treks in The Alps.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9xNe7UHSvc58wHIYGqe1Z6PlDZPqAXFCJ2KrE-AAadMQ4U0sQZWMXph27p-R9ShUB9MrgLvqF-vPaXHv1xh49caqFJCB3qfDkSi5ok5ffxvhFxiev5wo4nAD_jeAwVRat1aeG1_rjeqh3BQU5TjAHWM31sIykIZ4oyC6p10D9jqaaz7zjc7fpD3qWSs/s6240/DSCF0135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9xNe7UHSvc58wHIYGqe1Z6PlDZPqAXFCJ2KrE-AAadMQ4U0sQZWMXph27p-R9ShUB9MrgLvqF-vPaXHv1xh49caqFJCB3qfDkSi5ok5ffxvhFxiev5wo4nAD_jeAwVRat1aeG1_rjeqh3BQU5TjAHWM31sIykIZ4oyC6p10D9jqaaz7zjc7fpD3qWSs/w640-h426/DSCF0135.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending into Zinal</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaHqsxec7dwTBsRpo59rGqtaJvBfBpA9cpq25VRNjW4Vzh473yx0YirF6kS2OXrOdlglRTCw6RFvKZiAtptmbftQGwuuOf1Q293ufxAWjB6f-waKdLAf0oSFPSJm21XWXkOfgMxEuLxgYIn6fCBg4fgcWYR_5RcNDjAttRog0McwqAF5ZUqUeT5wWYHA/s6240/DSCF0149.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaHqsxec7dwTBsRpo59rGqtaJvBfBpA9cpq25VRNjW4Vzh473yx0YirF6kS2OXrOdlglRTCw6RFvKZiAtptmbftQGwuuOf1Q293ufxAWjB6f-waKdLAf0oSFPSJm21XWXkOfgMxEuLxgYIn6fCBg4fgcWYR_5RcNDjAttRog0McwqAF5ZUqUeT5wWYHA/w640-h426/DSCF0149.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dent Blanche</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiQAbIjqsocFGSqVXxgL1Eeb8KuwyY0UJ_jnD68oOcvay9MBxWZNbpd3bJDIw-qMC3GUTauydGuNoTmCEro4CpfaAjsZrTyHCcZTDg_UYy1mgyvt-vCE8YDtfGVMsPvQ4MJuHW4NDEqiEPlIAIvSqWg3jodXMfZ3ZIUB4hwwKejeZftzr4C7LnrUytS4/s5767/DSCF0089.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3735" data-original-width="5767" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiQAbIjqsocFGSqVXxgL1Eeb8KuwyY0UJ_jnD68oOcvay9MBxWZNbpd3bJDIw-qMC3GUTauydGuNoTmCEro4CpfaAjsZrTyHCcZTDg_UYy1mgyvt-vCE8YDtfGVMsPvQ4MJuHW4NDEqiEPlIAIvSqWg3jodXMfZ3ZIUB4hwwKejeZftzr4C7LnrUytS4/w640-h414/DSCF0089.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ibex in golden light</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiY6Vu2YQK0pGudoigU_PEg02x4cPYVR_GHkGzcMmGQ41daKpAmOlWeUESADraOoORFTRfh8xKHG-1gdFaGCc14gYB7X0PPXPdyy6LlM_jWc75csIqmZqcJI1WyOqo9M--KdEOBn3wekr2F4YkKKRkO5gjt4qQ6Q25DfVkbWGB5_q1q7RVW9shStj7-Y/s6240/DSCF0111.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiY6Vu2YQK0pGudoigU_PEg02x4cPYVR_GHkGzcMmGQ41daKpAmOlWeUESADraOoORFTRfh8xKHG-1gdFaGCc14gYB7X0PPXPdyy6LlM_jWc75csIqmZqcJI1WyOqo9M--KdEOBn3wekr2F4YkKKRkO5gjt4qQ6Q25DfVkbWGB5_q1q7RVW9shStj7-Y/w640-h426/DSCF0111.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balcony view at Arolla</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The Haute Route is like walking several Munros every day, except it's mostly in t-shirt and shorts weather! And on excellent trails! I was guiding for the excellent <a href="https://montblanctreks.com/" target="_blank">Mont Blanc Treks </a>again. Watch out soon for dates of my<a href="https://www.tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk/alpine-treks.html" target="_blank"> own Walkers Haute Route for 2024</a>.<div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBR1POcW5eXYzkktueaYE6qTgSn5f82p7WVPM5zi7I5OciUrqQzCVgmny96cS8vgRSl35r43ARQ7_9kukD35su3TrPmYz1t4_Jp-YJKhbqkvyZRuE5e_7NxTjoV16MAYftJss3chyTsM1JS4EW9vbLo-eSD7qDNX2WLiQEuM7WFTq63safdWhxRs5qXP8/s6240/DSCF0297.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBR1POcW5eXYzkktueaYE6qTgSn5f82p7WVPM5zi7I5OciUrqQzCVgmny96cS8vgRSl35r43ARQ7_9kukD35su3TrPmYz1t4_Jp-YJKhbqkvyZRuE5e_7NxTjoV16MAYftJss3chyTsM1JS4EW9vbLo-eSD7qDNX2WLiQEuM7WFTq63safdWhxRs5qXP8/w640-h426/DSCF0297.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lac d'Arpittete</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We had stunning weather with only a couple of cloudy and damp days.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTzdxx7969kRYkFHyVdUp5qsS7laPagYJd1IdoCu7B7q-J1vs0Up2j8yGrVwZUAxOMuli40IXCVT8UTqqgC60maOK8gYDgoxRjFXvslJoY827onTtAMcp2VjtFiCTC1UGHqYEhS7t1hjR4WekIJrZd_ItWylgd5O00Dx1B_XDwzFiAcGVrPOloMLV7Gw/s2048/375462609_6803672626334867_8558496766071983892_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="2048" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTzdxx7969kRYkFHyVdUp5qsS7laPagYJd1IdoCu7B7q-J1vs0Up2j8yGrVwZUAxOMuli40IXCVT8UTqqgC60maOK8gYDgoxRjFXvslJoY827onTtAMcp2VjtFiCTC1UGHqYEhS7t1hjR4WekIJrZd_ItWylgd5O00Dx1B_XDwzFiAcGVrPOloMLV7Gw/w640-h394/375462609_6803672626334867_8558496766071983892_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3wqW6mmIZdRZL1IPPATYQvvr7jCOkOiM5JsgwBra3OcG9VsVTLJ4jpgQSvBs5w2epu0pOm62NLdaKOTrgWVmsReDlFMA7b_NNFUi5gGp7UUtp_LyvSku1o4gzH7LbaSH1DsMRNDakyCBJEN5UXrQ65cb_rKWhd7tEqhoQiiw2BUi1pWP2cs73DiePMw/s2048/373548289_6803671146335015_233338281015728146_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnSDcOGgeVGKa0JK9ZGAjPFchx9BjVDU7Wp2CclGR-jjjURcB3RTXCliP46IapbpwsMtA6CZX-a68TQ_Vn7pVney7DBulQLLzjvX6m1c-cFzvJ0KFQnojOI_vEFnWupx9TPtnCOHw9j4w8182Nyt0CcUeIPok9iLEAFFWBT5JPI4pIXz9j4vuWpk4ABU/s2048/378550205_6839733082728821_8037009793940750810_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnSDcOGgeVGKa0JK9ZGAjPFchx9BjVDU7Wp2CclGR-jjjURcB3RTXCliP46IapbpwsMtA6CZX-a68TQ_Vn7pVney7DBulQLLzjvX6m1c-cFzvJ0KFQnojOI_vEFnWupx9TPtnCOHw9j4w8182Nyt0CcUeIPok9iLEAFFWBT5JPI4pIXz9j4vuWpk4ABU/w480-h640/378550205_6839733082728821_8037009793940750810_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDwdcg74_lfJWeJBbBeNfPG0KDFd6kIj9bzH4YifB0xPzfwNLGXEbMWshQkJbaLITgNzti-gSr70WzRL7IhIfn059t63ut9RAPriyelr1rIqkK9KAvZAdOlso8NQQCRKmel5ZzMcah1ADGWhRNIYS5wsGdz7Ega5xi4GlYj-wjQHW526nRzWQgQdAueE/s2048/379298548_6839732152728914_1148851983473050875_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDwdcg74_lfJWeJBbBeNfPG0KDFd6kIj9bzH4YifB0xPzfwNLGXEbMWshQkJbaLITgNzti-gSr70WzRL7IhIfn059t63ut9RAPriyelr1rIqkK9KAvZAdOlso8NQQCRKmel5ZzMcah1ADGWhRNIYS5wsGdz7Ega5xi4GlYj-wjQHW526nRzWQgQdAueE/w640-h480/379298548_6839732152728914_1148851983473050875_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKqe-N43uJ9jbjUqUe9U8eNjY7JTWKa2lcsiIZSkvsc13fZ-VuXI3egirA720mNQ58gOQ5RN13zglQkFUYuY9A-Cy6p3ly7MGAnHO4Yf5T2bAIiD_nZBT0HAcD9dulnLWncviKl-QE5sRbUSV_gKFqEU6K_zKcNRektrcnGj-E1P0tNUJBwQASHswUJE/s6240/DSCF0351.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKqe-N43uJ9jbjUqUe9U8eNjY7JTWKa2lcsiIZSkvsc13fZ-VuXI3egirA720mNQ58gOQ5RN13zglQkFUYuY9A-Cy6p3ly7MGAnHO4Yf5T2bAIiD_nZBT0HAcD9dulnLWncviKl-QE5sRbUSV_gKFqEU6K_zKcNRektrcnGj-E1P0tNUJBwQASHswUJE/w640-h426/DSCF0351.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorner Gletcher</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR7I1199AWkFy5FUkaxQ5n8ELHq_P__ChNxNSd1MkRpjT15G-xxNcJlwlXgBTKM86RFgDPxPiOyD7JdFHRM7cSucKGvHEqHN3VYFcxSroZn-ZWP4pDPHqyYffuaQK3jY_eNYbcfyQta9p4Lcrja86WI3sPnH0dfoXGX6tGEzhKid0JQHb9m8FzMjCyX0/s6240/DSCF0383.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR7I1199AWkFy5FUkaxQ5n8ELHq_P__ChNxNSd1MkRpjT15G-xxNcJlwlXgBTKM86RFgDPxPiOyD7JdFHRM7cSucKGvHEqHN3VYFcxSroZn-ZWP4pDPHqyYffuaQK3jY_eNYbcfyQta9p4Lcrja86WI3sPnH0dfoXGX6tGEzhKid0JQHb9m8FzMjCyX0/w640-h426/DSCF0383.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Matterhorn at dusk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Gary Hodgsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040414884613161254noreply@blogger.com0