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.
Day 2. From the ski centre, followed the track up to mid station where drifts of hard snow gave us the opportunity for kicking steps and using edges of boots. Gaining height crampons were fitted and used for the remainder of the journey up to 1141.
