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.
Plan to "beat the weather" with a pre dawn start to climb to Carn Ban Mor and then Mullach Clach a Bhlair from Glen Feshie. However as we climbed the easy path to the slopes of Carn Ban Mor the wind speed intensified to the extent walking in a straight line was extremely difficult. The forecast was for the winds to exceed 90mph so we bailed into the small col below spot height 783m. After a brief discussion we carried on into Corrie Ruadh and across to Loch Ghiuthsachan. From there we walked through the forest back to car park in Glen Feshie. (Note:the col feature above Coire Ruadh had a huge cornice and snow bank which,in terms of depth, would make a good snow hole venue. However, due to the low altitude it is obviously subject to extensive melt freeze processes and the snow was extremely hard)
