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.
One car at the cas, one at the costs. We set off from the latter observing possibly loaded slopes given the avalanche forecast. Sheet I’ve and a hard crust meant we decided crampons were going to make life a lot easier. We hit the first stream which is a favourite for winter skills groups and were first there. Some step cutting, slicing, and some intentional bullet hard neve to practice buckets/bollards and axe belays. An MIC with two folks came over and gave some good hints and smugly discussed their buckets in nice soft snow which took minutes to dig. But appreciated why we wanted to test neve.
