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.
From ski car park walked up Sron an Aonaich to ptarmigan restaurant. From here navigated SE to Ciste Mhearad. Practice of steep ground management, ice axe arresting and observations of previously-built snowholes was conducted here before continuing onto summit of Cairngorm. Snow in Ciste Mhearad was suspect, with big accumulations of windslab. From cairngorm navigated to 1141 and descended this back to car park. Practice of snow bollards and emergency shelters was conducted on NE-facing aspect of Fiacaill a Choire Chais. Care was taken in this area due to remaining poorly bonded windslab on these aspects from the previous days. Total journey time of 7 hours. Very cold temperatures experienced throughout the day with drifting snow and cold north through easterly winds of around 30mph at times.
