HIGHLAND HILLWALKING SKILLS DAY

The Flat Iron, perfect for cramponing technique

Poor visibility on the tops

Lots of skills groups on the Goat Track area

Dropping into Coire an Lochain 

Kicking steps

Coire an Lochain cliffs getting whiter

Light snow cover at 900m

I've been delivering a winter skills day for the Highland Hillwalking Club for the last 7 winter seasons. Always lovely folk and a pleasure to work with. My group of 5 today had a mix of newbies and some with a few years of winter experience. Good to have a refresher and always something new to take away from my courses.
We went into Coire an t-sneachda which was busy with other large winter skills groups up on the Goat Track and Point Five Gully areas. We avoided the masses and found some good snow and ice areas before heading into Coire an Lochain in the afternoon and up onto the plateau where it was poor visibility. Light snow falling from mid morning through the day. A strong wind was whipping snow into the north facing crags which are looking much more winter like than 2 days ago! Low freezing levels with temperatures of minus 4 in Aviemore this morning. Below freezing at Coire Cas carpark in the afternoon.
Winter returns and looking good for next week with more snow forecast.