BEN MACDUI & CAIRNGORM ON A FINE DAY

Antony enjoying the sun and snow in Coire an Lochan

The cloud breaking up again on Ben Macdui summit

Loch Avon & Shelter Stone crag

Still a full cover of snow on the Cairn Gorm plateau, looking over to Braeriach

Fiacaill Ridge

It was a glorious sunny morning in The Cairngorms. Antony was out with me today wanting a brush up on some winter skills and with plenty of snow on the hills this was easily achieved! He was wanting an early start so we set off shortly after 6am. Despite the forecast of 70mph winds we headed up into Coire an Lochan and then played it by ear. The winds were only a 'Cairngorm breeze' and so we headed over to Ben Macdui. The  temperature was well above the summits so soft  snow and no need for crampons. A bank of cloud moved over and almost white out from the lochans' so it was map and compass work again. Just when we thought we'd had the best of the weather the cloud quickly broke up and for the rest of the day we enjoyed blue skies and Spring sun. We headed over to Cairn Gorm after wandering over to the fab view point looking into the Loch Avon basin. The winds did seem to increase on our way down Windy Ridge from Cairngorm but we were soon down and finished by 1pm. A grand day.