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.
Shorter skills based day with JSMTC group, walked into Coire an Sneachda then up onto slope under Fiacaill ridge ivo the twin ribs 990 037, windslab present on the face but able to utilise the scoured areas to allow the group to look at some pits on that aspect that they could then relate to the avalanche forecast. Dropped lower and then when through snow anchors (buckets seats, buried axe and subsequently pulled snow bollards to destruction - various sizes and with the rope seated in different layers in the snow pack).
