Climbed Aladdin`s Couloir, making fresh tracks. Exited on L side, not wanting to cross the loaded exposed slope to the easier R side exit. The L side gave some steeper climbing, feeling more like grade II and certainly exposed.
Topping out, climbed to summit, took dist and bearing and paced to Goat Track where I met Mark Diggin (avalanche reporter) who was doing his survey. Interesting chat with him, then descent. Did my own snow pack analysis on way down.
Started on the L hand rte of the Trident (Central Gully Grade I *) but felt uncomfortable with the av risk and descended prior to a steepening bulge about half way up.
Had a look at The Runnel (Grade II **) but 3 guys were above and pitching the exit chimney which looked more than I wanted to solo.
Moved R again to Crotched Gully (Grade I/II) and climbed it to where it narrows and becomes mixed.
Not wanting to push it and with images of the recent fatality in my mind, I descended.
Climbed Aladdin`s Mirror, with a sense of urgency as the weather was coming in and the gale force wind arrived. Some spindrift coming down the rte but nothing too bad. Topping out I headed quickly for Fiacaill a Choire Chais.
Area :
The Cairngorms
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.
