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.
SET OFF IN LIGHT SNOW, FORECAST SAYING CLEARING AND IMPROVING. WAS AIMING TO CLIMB ON THE LOCHAN CRAGS. HOWEVER THE SNOW GOT HEAVIER AND THE AVALANCHE RISK WAS RISING. THE WIND WAS INCREASING AND THE SNOW BECAME VERY HEAVY, TRIED TO CLIMB OUT VIA GRADE II GULLY BUT NOT CONSOLIDATED, SO RETREATED. THE VISIBILITY WAS NONE EXISTENT AS WE MADE OUR WAY DOWN TO THE BASIN, SETTING OFF SMALL AVALANCHES. VERY HARD NAVIGATION OUT BUT IT WENT SMOOTHLY ENOUGH. HARD WALKING INTO THE WIND AND SNOW.
