Locryn Williams - 184008

Day 1 trip with Sophie, Georgia and Andrew. The previous night Sophie and I used the map to route plan, take bearings, going through the 5 D's of navigation. Although, we did focus on the 3. Discussed how it would be for groups of students, how we would expect them to fill it out. She completed her bearings, gave me description of routes and then stopping features, as well as distance and duration it could potentially be.
On the day we had planned to take the funicular up to the top station before hiking from there but due to our hiking kit and the rules around that we had to change our plan which affected the group. Based on fitness I slowed the pace, chose to go the the left up Sron an Aonaich. This allowed for a steady up lift on easy paths as the snow line was quite high. I utilised a slow, plodding pace and emphasised breathing techniques due to group fitness. The original plan was to nav out quite far from the top of cairn gorm using a number of techniques and focusing on contour interpretation. From the Ptarmigan station we utilised crampons and ice axes to make our way up the steeper section. Before we put on crampons I instructed Sophie and Georgia on cutting steps, whilst also focusing on using the B2/3's and how to walk in snow / ice with them safely. Using edges of big boots and stamping in, walking down, sideways and why in general we walk diagnoally on slopes to conserve energy and avoid burn outs etc. Discussed and then taught how to cut steps using the ice axe. Focusing on a lever swing and taking the top layer off to enable a step up. Once this was done, in a safe area, we put crampons on where I talked about the ' John Wayne' walk to ensure that trousers aren't ruined by crampons catching. As we began to walk I demonstrated how to hold the ice axe in the inner hand, with adze pointing behind me to ensure if I slip I am able to arrest successfully.
Following this we made our way up to Cairn Gorm proper. The wind was mega gusting, blowing us off course and making instruction difficult.
Due to the strenous, consistent uphill and unfavourable conditions at the top (50mph winds) I decided to nav us down to the cairn by easy ridge before stopping for coffee and making a plan for the next section. I got Sophie to take a bearing whilst behind the Cairn which she completed well before suggesting that we go in a certain direction. She was able to identify hazzards and how the terrain would look on the next section.
I decided that on the way down we could practice ice axe arrests on some good snow cover away from the edges of the cornice. We put helmets on but didnt put crampons on yet. From there I demonstrated 3x ice axe arrests all of the same, emphasising my hand at the top of the axe and towards the bottom of the shaft, looking the direction away from the head which was in towards my shoulder with the shaft angled slightly away from the body. I then placed Andrew 20ft down the gentle slop and spend 10ft of that walking to the side of Sophie and Gee, getting them used to walking down hill with feet parralel, knees bent and stepping heel first. Focused on the walking technique so that if they did drop they'd go on their bum first before sliding. They then sat down, shifting slowly before twisting and trying the techniques. Andrew was the stopper. We repeated this process until they were comfortable to try at a quicker speed.
Following this Andrew and myself practiced forward facing arrests and backwards. We then hiked down the slope and back down to the base station
Overall, a good day where the plan had been a large day of nav on the plateau hitting a number of Munroes and trig points. This would've allowed experience of mountain navigation and a good level of winter instruction. Instead, we opted for a smaller day, but one that had opportunities to do instruction in a number of ways. As this wasn't a big travel day I don't believe it qualifies as a QMD.