WINTER SKILLS IN MAY

 

Cramponing in May

An unseasonably amount of snow here in the Cairngorms. Low temperatures for many days and almost daily top ups of snowfall. The Northern Cairngorms are looking like mid Winter rather than early May. The snow showers were even lower today, below 500m. 

All Winter I've been unable to offer Winter courses with restrictions placed on travel for my groups. Until recently. So it was fabulous that Matt was looking for a 2 day Winter course in May. 

Coire Cas carpark this morning 

I met Matt up at the Coire Cas carpark this morning. A few cm's of snow lying in the carpark and more snow falling. We had a chat before setting off to go through the main 'skills' of the day. We set off into Coire an t-sneachda. 

Coire an t-sneachda 

It was poor visibility and ankle to shin deep snow on the walk in to the coire. No other souls around. 

A snowy Sneachda 

Coire an t-sneachda 

Avalanche assessment 

We discussed which slopes were safe with regards to Avalanche Awareness and safety before choosing a safe route out of the coire and onto the plateau. Some hefty showers of graupel passed through a sweet as some lovely bright moments with views.

Fiacaill Buttress 

Mess Mess of Pottage  

Alladin's Couloir 

Matt enjoying his first taste of winter

Great fun out of the coire. Up on the plateau it was breezy and poor visibility. We did some navigation with map and compass. The ski goggles were donned for our route to 1141m. A quick descent and over the ridgeline to get some crampon work in.

Great snow for cutting steps

Matt demonstrating great technique 

Ski goggles required

After a session of cutting steps we moved onto crampons. Some wonderful windblown slopes exposing the old refrozen snowpack. It was also semi sheltered from the winds here.

Crampons 

Cramponing down slopes

We finished off the day with some sliding, axe arresting. Just before another big snow and graupel shower crossed over us and we were engulfed in thick cloud.

Axe arresting 

End of day bright skies