Wednesday, 2 January 2019

SUB ZERO AND BLUE SKIES DAY

Heading up to the Fiacaill 

bomber snow

Rime ice on the ridges

Some old snow on the Fiacaill 

Low temperatures,  ice forming 

Most snow in the Goat Track /Point Five area

In the sunshine 

Beautiful delicate feathered rime 

Best view in the Cairngorms 

Coire an Lochain 

Serious run outs, sharp crampons 
Hell's Lum area
Third and final day with Amanda and Laura. Beautiful weather day to end their course . Clear skies, low temperatures and no winds. It was minus 5 C on the tops today. Just like yesterday, the old remaining snow pack is rock solid. Crampons essential. We headed into a busy Coire Sneachda,  the fair weather folk out or is it start of winter skills courses? So we escaped the crowds and from the coire linked up the snow patches to gain the Fiacaill Coire Sneachda ridge. We had the rest of the day to ourselves.  The ridge has very little snow on it but it was rimed and it was one of those days were you decide to take off or leave on the crampons. Lovely rime on the plateau. For lunch we went over to the finest view point in the Cairngorms. Then back across plateau to descend into Coire an Lochain. Fabulous day and great end to the course.  The ladies are off on a big expedition to a 6000m peak near Stok Kangri in July. Good luck and have a great adventure. The Scottish mountains in winter are a fine training ground for big mountains around the world. In 2020 they're planning a Patagonian trip, guided by yours truely, thanks! 😀

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