The Cairngorms are ‘a little piece of the arctic in Scotland’ according to the SMC Munros Guide and the area contains many of the tallest peaks in the East Highlands. Ben Macdui (1309m), Cairn Gorm (1244m) and Braeriach (1296) are probably three of the better known and the whole area is full of steep corries and high plateaux. Access to the mountains is typically from Aviemore or Braemar.
Day 1 of the 5 day Winter Mountain Foundation Course. The aim of the course is develop participants winter mountaineering skills and navigation, use of ice axe and crampons, self arrest, travelling and route selection in avalanche terrain, correct use of transceiver, probe and shovel, snowholing and emergency shelters, weather, equipment selection and mountain hazards. Today we travelled from the cairngorm ski carpark to 1083 then traversed the northern corries. During the journey the group were taught how to orientate a map, set and walk on a bearing, use timings and pacing, use ice axe for security while moving on steep terrain, use of crampons and weather watching. Dropped in to Corrie Domhain to look at and discuss emergency shelters and snowholes. Demonstrated digging an emergency shelter. Discussed and demonstrated safe travel in avalanche terrain. Descended via 1141.
