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.
After a night in the hutchinson hut the aim was to walk up derry cairngorn and the back and up to beinn mheadhoin. I knew the forecast was to deteriorate throughout the day, and it certainly did. After gaining the first munro, Derry, the wind became ferocious, knocking me off my feet, and pinning me to the spot on several occasions. walking became very difficult, and knowing these conditions as i do, i suspect the gusts were approx 60mph. We made the decision that trying to regain height would be silly as the wind and visibility were getting worse by the minute so we dropped back down to the bothy to ride out the storm. Underfoot the ground was frozen, but scoured in places, knee deep drifts in other places. Hard going. We, were a group of three, myself, husband, and daughters boyfriend- 20 years old. His first trip to Scotland, and first winter conditions. He is studying outdoor leadership at Ambleside university and was grinning like a cheshire cat but willing to soak up every bit of information we threw his way. was great to see. 
