BUMPER EARLY SNOW

 

Coire an t-sneachda on Saturday 

After Friday's storms and heavy snow it was great to get up into the Cairngorms and see what conditions were like. With the first snows down to Aviemore level this season and over 24 hrs of snowfall it was never going to be an easy ride in the mountains. Fresh, deep snow equals hard work. A couple of days snow ploughing will set you up to get winter hill fit for sure! 

SATURDAY 27 NOVEMBER 

Christian and I had a great day out in Coire an t-sneachda. Christian runs his own guiding company on the west coast and it was good to have a fun day out with him inbetween work. He was keen to get a 'quality mountain day' as part of gaining his Winter Mountain Leader Award. We weren't expecting the ski road up to Coire Cas to be open so it was Shanksies Pony up the road, no doubt this will be the first of many this season. As soon as we left a deserted Coire Cas carpark it was hard going in the deep snow into Coire an t-sneachda. I was surprised how very little wind there was, the forecast was for 40mph + on the tops.

The walk up the ski road

Snowy Pines on the old road

Visibility at 800m

At 800m into Sneachda the visibility was poor. A bit of navigation required to get to the foot of Alladin's Buttress,  along with some deep plunging in soft snow. Eventually we got into the coire, taking much longer than usual of course. We saw no one at all apart from a small group earlier on who seemed to be heading up to the Fiacaill Coire Sneachda. 

Elevenses at the 1st aid box

Some avalanche assessment 

A major part of heading out in winter is avalanche awareness and assessment. With the early snowfall the SAIS has started up again for the season. Always plan your day around the weather and avalanche forecasts. We made our own avalanche assessment as usual in conjunction with the forecast. Satisfied with our safe  route choice we found some steep ground and iced rocks to have some fun on.

Icy fun

Christian on the ice

Wonderful nature

It was soon time to head back down. Darkness falls early nowadays. Always plan your route on the conditions and daylight hours. If you've plans for a big multi Munro day out in the current conditions you may want to scale back your aspirations. 

A snowy scene

Best of the sunshine today!

A snow covered,  deserted Coire Cas carpark late afternoon 

A top day out and wonderful fun in the snow. How can anyone not like winter?

SUNDAY 28 NOVEMBER 

I received a last minute winter skills enquiry from Francis on Saturday. He was keen to make the most of the snow before heading home. Completely new to winter hillwalking but plenty of rock climbing and surfing experience in his Cornwall home. We set off early doors and another walk up the ski road. It was busy today mind with a fair few folk  heading into the corries. Many climbing groups and the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team were also out on a training day. This gave us  bit of an easier ride into Coire an t-sneachda,  a big trench had quickly been made so much easier.

Out of the deep snow

Francis getting stuck into the wonderful scenery 

Another minus a lot C day

After some basic axe and boot techniques we looked at self arresting including the self belay. After lunch we made our way up to Windy Col. Francis led the way putting his new skills into action with some route finding on our way up to the plateau. There was hardly any ice about apart from on the crags and boulders so we didn't need crampons. 

Rimed up rocks

Good navigation required on the plateau 

Checking map and compass 

On the plateau the winds were only around 30mph so quite pleasant. Very poor visibility and high windchill.  We ran through some map and compass skills which were completely new to Francis. Thrown in at the deep end with some challenging visibility up to 1141m. 

Best view of the day

We made it

The wonders of map and compass.  Good stuff

Rimed up hair-doo

Stroll back down

It was still low cloud even back in the ski area. We reached the Coire Cas carpark which was now open and had a few cars parked up. We walked amongst the tourists who were wandering about, some in shorts and looking for a cafe or shop (closed) but there is a toilet open after your drive up.

Top day again and Francis now got a typical Scottish winter day under is belt. The first of many I am sure.

I've suddenly had a rash of winter bookings since storm Arwen came and went. Thank you 😊.