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.
Early season day, marginal snow cover in places, and and deep snow, heavy drifting and poor vis frequent. We left the cas car park and headed via the windy ridge up to the ptarmigan restaurant. From here we headed over Cairngorm and down to the saddle following "the numbers". From the saddle, we descended to the east side of Loch Avon, and climbed Beinn Mheadhoin from the NE spur. Icy underfoot and loose windslab higher up. From tor 1, we headed acrouss the plateau to the different tors, which at times were undistinguishable due to heavy drifiting. From 1163m, we headed down and into the shelterstone. Sleet at shelterstone level, whilst climbing Coire Domhain sleet turned to snow and we were met with a fierce whiteout on the plateau. We headed over 1176m and back down to the car via 1141m.
