Third day of the skills course and this was truly a proper scottish winter day out.
Still with a considerable Avalanche risk on north through to south east above 900 metres and with wind direction of NNW , we headed up onto Fiacalli Ridge (along with many others)
visibilty was low and the underground conditions lower down were deep snow but firmer above1000 metres.
Navigation was essential to even get to the start of the ridge. We took the easier right handside route along and up the ridge.
Once on the plateau, very careful navigation was needed, with no contrast in the surroundings and 20 metres visibilty. Navigation techniques like, leapfrogging were needed.
Really good day, and the group loved it!
Area :
The Cairngorms
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.
