IWQMD - Ben Macdui
Start/Finish: From the SKI Centre.
1 • Synopsis and Ascent of a significant mountain is included in the day;
Yes - 1309 m altitude of Ben Macdui
Synopsis -
Planned 16km hike to Ben Macdui from the Ski Resort as an out and back route. Ascending the ridge of Miadan Creag an Lech-choin and across to Lochan Buidhe It felt really good to have snow under foot. All winter equipment was packed in the rucksack including crampons and ice-axe. Navigation Skills were improved when the visibility came in to approx 25 m by walking on a bearing for a known time , feeling the ground features change helped around Cairn Lochan to the plateau and 1125 cairn stone at Lochan Buidhe. The visibility did not improve throughout the journey and remained the same until we came back down the ridge of Miadan Creag an Lech-choin and a lower altitude, occasionally the cloud lifted but only momentarily.
2 • Individual takes part in the planning and leadership;
- Avalanche, Wind, Precipitation, Temperature were checked on:
- Met Office
- SAIS
- MWIS
- Route planned on OS Maps.
- Life-line activated so family and friends could track me.
- Solo hike so made all decisions. Gave details to family of all planned routes with the caveat if I changed any plans I would let them know. Called wife at the agreed return time after hike in the car park.
3 • navigation skills are required;
Yes - with the visibility closing in to 25m walking on timed bearings improved my confidence in navigation.
4 • knowledge is increased and skills practised;
Practiced locating point heights 1083 & 1125 and contour locations on the journey. To practice for my future winter assessment.
5 • attention is paid to safety;
Checked weather forecast before heading out… Checked Avalanche reports for area. MWIS weather report. And Face Book ground conditions. Also checked Winter Climbing Forecast (app). First Aid Kit and 2 man Shelter. Gave a copy route map to family. And as already mentioned I had live-line on.
6 • adverse weather and underfoot conditions may be encountered;
Yes, mixed terrain, snow and ice throughout the journey. The wind picked the snow up and moved it around - causing spin drift conditions at times needing ski googles to be worn.
7 • Five hours or more journey time;
Yes, Moving time 7 1/2 hours. Approx 16km. @3km/hr.
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.
