Leading Simon up Afterthought Arete. My first time on the route.
- We ascended via 1141 and then practised our ML nav techniques on route in. (focus on transit points, distance and timing judging)
- Made our way over to the football pitch above stag rocks and then kitted up above the branch of Y gulley with the descent path. I briefed Simon about loose rock and then led the descent picking the best route through the jumble of boulders and vague paths. If to do it again would probably let client go down first and direct him from above.
- worked our way down then along to base of the arete. Fully kitted up and started off in Green terrain which quickly turned to ledging. Dropped the coils and started leading up the route. Didn't have enough length in the rope for first section so ended up making too many belays. Dropped some more coils and made good progress. More like climbing rather than scrambling (mod grade tbf).
- topped out onto the plateau and headed back via 1141. 5hrs on the hill.
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.
