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.
Return journey from Hutchinson Memorial Hut to Coire Cas with some winter skills practice en route. After a disturbed nights sleep due to a couple of uncouth bothy users the return route took us through the valley inversion and out, up to spectacular views of Loch Etchachan and surrounding peaks. An ascent to summit Beinn Mheadhoin was not without the use of crampons for some nasty patches of verglassed rock and strong winds. Our descent lead through more pleasant slopes of softer snow and an opportunity to practice self-arrests before some ice-axe descent techniques on Creag Dhubh to the Eastern tip of Loch Avon. An arduous ascent of Cairn Gorm was rewarded with yet more verglassed rock entertainment underfoot, remaining until the Ptarmigan where we were able to glissade down the pistes in the fading light.
