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.
Running a 3 day introduction to winter mountaineering for The Leys School Cambridge. Day 1 was a walk, in high winds, heavy snow and high avalanche conditions, from Corrie na Ciste car park up Creagan Dubh. After an hour and a half of battling the conditions and assessing the hazards decided to descend back towards the car park and do some basic skills including how to walk efficiently on snow using the boot as tool, walking with an ice axe and use of ice axe for arresting a fall, consideration when choosing a route through a winter, snow covered landscape, winter navigation and avalanche avoidance and rescue. Turned out to be a great day for staying low and playing in the snow. Good taste of what conditions can be like for the students.
