ANOTHER SUNNY MORNING IN THE CAIRNGORMS

Kevin, Thomas & Tim enjoying the sun

Isabel & Martin hot on the navigation

From blue skies to near white out

Crisp snow low down

The best of any views on the plateau

Easy walking on the lower paths

Martin and Isabel were blessed with another clear skies morning and no winds in The Cairngorms. Kevin, Thomas & Tim from Ireland also joined us today for a days walking, their first time out in Scottish hills. Todays 'winter skill' for Isabel & Martin was navigation. Shouldn't navigation be top of the pile as a necessary skill to acquire? So why do we always see 'sliding down snow slopes' at the beginning of most winter instructional manuals (discuss)! We basked in the beautiful light this morning before the map and compass really came into play when we reached the plateau at 1000m. From then onwards we were engulfed in cloud. Near white out at times and testing conditions near the summit of Cairn Lochan. The rime ice was back and the temperatures cold on the tops. Martin and Isabel did s a superb job of getting us over to 1141m before descending back to civilisation with great banter through out the day form the Cork boys. Another great day out and NO WIND!