Cairngorn Meet

Meets Secretary · Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 363 Location: Chorley

A brilliant weekend for the seven of us who made the trip up. Never seen snow 12-15 high before in the UK - not because it had been piled up by a snowplough - it was that deep! Saturday was rather cloudy in the morning and the temperature had risen and avalanche risk still tricky (thre was a big one under Fiacaill Butress abput 12pm) and with two winter & Scottish virgins in our midst everyone opted for a Mheall a Bhuachaille via Ryvoan Bothy above Glenmore - except for Mick who skied/ran/walked/climbed all over the northern corries area as he does. The new guys lost their virginity in, at times, thigh deep snow but the views as the cloud cleared and the sun broke were stunning. Sunday provided better climbing conditions aftera freeze overnight with Ian & Mick bagging Red Gully and Mike and myself on Fiacaill Ridge with the rest of the gang on Cairngorm itself. Mike, myself and Keith stayed over and were rewarded iwth one of the best winter says I have ever seen and spent the time skiing in this gorgeous scenery in hot sunshine. Sad to have to leave it but work called for us all.Those who didn't go missed a treat! Full report and piccies in next (July) newsletter.
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Laura

"Society speaks and all men listen, mountains speak and wise men listen."

John Muir, 1838-1914

KeithR · Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Posts: 11

It was a brilliant weekend with very good weather.

I've never seen such good ski conditions in Scotland, the whole area was one big piste. Cool

Ian Bradley · Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 460 Location: Kendal

Mick and I wanted to do Fingers Ridge but a party arrived just in front of us, with a very slow party in front as it turned out, so we opted for Red Gully… The two just in front were just starting pitch 2 as we got back to corrie floor after completing Red Gully!

Approach remarkably easy as the snowed up path was a better line than that usually taken – just don’t step off the path! You instantly sink in 8” or so – well above ankles! Final approach to the buttress was just hard work with not great snow but much better than the ice cream we’d had on Saturday.

Ice in Red Gully superb so it was quite easy really compared to my previous two ascents – the beauty of winter climbing a route is very different each time you do it! Route was three pitches, with only the first at all challenging – a straightforward grade II in those conditions. ‘Normal’ bottom pitch was buried. (Aladdin’s Mirror was only about 4m high! ) No cornice – although slightly sugary up there at the plateau rim. Descent down Goat Track straightforward and easier than usual. Some guy boarded down it a few minutes later which was quite impressive! Snow seemed fine.

A good enjoyable and sociable weekend. Even a CAMRA pub for beer and food!