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.
Walked into Coire na Sneachda with the intention of doing the Faicaill ridge. Winds were forcast to be low but from the car park on the winds grew stronger and stronger leading many groups t turn back. The snow was very deep and there was a large snow plume covering the tops around the Coire so I walked up onto Faicaill a Choire Chaise and ascended Cairn Gorm. On top the visibility was low and the winds strong from the South so I decided to descend via the same route.
