SCRAMBLING, SUNSHINE, SNOW & STUPENDOUS VIEWS

Looking back along the Fiacaill Coire Sneachda

Fiacaill Coire Sneachda

Loch Avon, Beinn Meadhoin & Shelter Stone from Feithe Buidhe

Not long till winter mate

Northern Corries

The high pressure over Scotland gave another fabulous sunny day. There was a light, cold easterly breeze but in the sun it was lovely and warm. I took a trip up the Fiacaill Coire Sneachda, a nice wee scramble onto the Cairngorm plateau. Any remaining snow patches were actually neve in places but the crest of the ridge was free of any snow. I then headed down to the Feith Buidhe across the plateau for the stupendous view down into the Loch Avon basin. This is one of the most spectacular and beautiful view points in The Cairngorms, only a short detour off the main route up Beinn Macdui yet I would guess only a few of the folk heading onto the second highest point in the UK actually take the time to wander off for the views. I sat in the warm sun for a while and a great clarity of air for photos. The last 200m or so of Benn Macdui now has a good covering of snow and the many pairs of ptarmigan I saw today were starting to get into their winter plumage. Looks like the NW Highlands is the place to be for blue skies and bright sun next couple of days.