BEN MACDUI, SNOWSHOE HEAVEN

Cairn Toul - Braeriach plateau from Ben Macdui

Another glorious day in The Cairngorms, well The Highlands in general. A ridge of high pressure bringing clear skies and low temperatures through much of Scotland. Summit temperatures minus a lot centigrade but with only a slight breeze. Nothing much has changed in the snow pack, nothing consolidated. A day for the snowshoes or skis if going off any well trodden routes. Otherwise it's hard work.

Great conditions for snowshoes

I headed over to Ben Macdui early doors. Saw no one all the way up. There was some nagging cloud just sitting on the higher slopes but this dispersed just has I reached the finest viewpoint (it's not the summit cairn). You get one of the most amazing viewpoints of the Braeriach - Cairn Toul plateau across the Lairig Ghru from a short distance away from the second highest point in the UK. Looking across the clouds were drifting and swirling, very atmospheric. What a sight. After an hour of photography I ventured over to the next best view point in The Cairngorms, the Loch A'an basin.

Rime encrusted summit

Braeriach

Snowshoeing over to the Feithe Buidhe area was probably the finest section of the day for the snowshoes, just superb. There are virtually no rocks poking through the snow pack around the rim of the Loch A'an basin. Pretty amazing for mid November! I have to keep reminding myself that it's only the start of winter. It was a tad 'warmer' at this altitude. Beautiful views down Loch A'an.

Cairn Gorm and Loch A'an

Not much water in the Feithe Buidhe waterfall now

The crossing of the burn is easy, hardly any water and a deep snow pack. The loch itself is still ice free at the moment. Time to sit and enjoy the views until heading back over the plateau via Cairn Lochan.

Top of Hell's Lum

Looking south across the plateau

Last views from the tops before heading back. Another brilliant day in the snow and so pleased to have decided to bring the snowshoes. There's not that many days where the conditions are favourable. Today was one of those days. Brilliant.

Coire an Lochain

Cairn Lochan and Cairn Gorm

Delicate feathering

Surface hoar and a distant Cairn Gorm