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.
An early start ascending through light snowfall and reaching the snow-line at around 800m where we entered into the cloud, visibility was around 50m and horizontal snow. After visiting The Argyll Stone we soon iced up on our right sides as we traversed the ridge-line South, due to the moderate Westerly winds with occasional gusts of 40mph. Snow increasing throughout day with knee-high drifts forming in places. Distinctive cornice on section between No.4 and No.5 Buttress of Coire Meadhon. To our delight the snowfall did not turn to rain, allowing us to defrost as we descended. The snow-line was noticeably lower at around 580m.
