We've enjoyed 4 days in and around the Aviemore area of the Scottish Highlands. It's been a great trip with the group getting to experience a wide range of winter mountain experiences, and developing some useful skills along the way. We generally like to finish the six days off with an expedition of some sort. It's often 3 days accessing a remote peak but, when … Read More »
Category Archives: Winter Walking
A Winter Mountain Day in the Monadhliath
After a physically undemanding day yesterday, we decided to take the group on a full mountain day this time. As we'd driven across to Dalwhinnie yesterday, we'd noticed that the Monadhliath area was looking particularly white so, after a quick check of the avalanche forecaste, it didn't take long to choose our destination. Driving up a lane heading north from Newtonmore wasn't as straight forward as I … Read More »
A Wintery Navigation Day
Over ther last couple of days, we've had a day of winter skills and a full on winter mountain day to put things into practice. With extremely high winds forecast for today, we opted to head into a lower, more protected, area just north of Dalwhinnie for a navigation day. Starting on the track that follows the Allt an t-Sluic, we took the opportunity to practice … Read More »
Winter Mountain Day on Cairngorm
After introducing the group to some basic skills yesterday, we took the opportunity to get in a full winter mountain day in some perfect conditions. Once again, we took advantage of being able to drive up to the snow line by using the Coire Cas car park and headed off past Coire an t-Sneachda into Coire an Lochain. Stopping short of the lochans, we spent some … Read More »
Introduction to Winter Skills
Having travelled up to the Cairngorms yesterday for a week of winter walking, today was a perfect day to provide an introduction to winter skills. After a much needed thorough kit check before our first day out, we took advantage of the Cairgorm Mountain road and made use of the Coire Cas car park for quick access into Coire an t-Sneachda. While most where heading into … Read More »
Winter Mountain Experience
I love introducing people to the winter mountain experience. Winter mountains are probably my favourite environment to work in - the snow transforms the landscape into something with the potential for such incredible beauty and yet the ever present threat of harsh and threatening conditions. I'd had a couple of folk interested in this year's trip up to Scotland which went to the Cairngorms. Unfortunately, there … Read More »
An Teallach
Today's outing into the Scottish mountains had a bit of a false start. Having selected to ascend An Teallach, there was no need for transport as we could walk straight out of our accommodation. The other two groups, however, took off with the minibuses to head to different locations. It wasn't until we were almost ready to walk out of the door that we realised … Read More »
A Long Day in the Fannichs
After yesterday's gentle start to the week, I took my group into the Fannichs today. The target was Sgurr nan Clach Geala, with the options of scaling Sgurr nan Each and possibly even Meall a Chrasgaidh as well if the group were feeling strong enough. We started by following the stalkers path, heading south along the banks of Allt Breabaig. It's first time I've walked up … Read More »
Winter Gullies in Snowdonia
I had been due to spend this week up in Scotland on a week's winter mountaineering trip. Unfortunately, the group weren't able to get their accommodation booked, so the whole week got cancelled. Normally, at this time of year, it can be a bit hit and miss as to wether or not the snow is still around. So you can imagine my frustration when the … Read More »
Snow Hole Expedition on Creag Meagaidh
After Sunday's trip up Aonach Mor with Alfie for some winter skills practice, Monday saw us taking on the bigger challenge of an overnight expedition in the snow without a tent. Last year we enjoyed a two night night trip up Cairngorm, but this time opted for a one night snow hole expedition on Creag Meagaidh. Although the weekend climbers and walkers had all headed back to work, … Read More »
