Sunday 9 March 2014

Sunshine somewhere

 From what I hear its been a rather nice day in the south. In fact in Devon its meant to 'ave bin bleddy 'ansome. Meanwhile in Scotland.. Stormy and warm!
 The big thaw has begun. So I decided to make the most of the snow while its still here and get out and do some ski touring. Only last week you could ski right out of the Cairngorm Mountain car park, I have to lug all the gear up to Corie An Lochain before there was anything near enough to skin up on.
 Looking over at Buttresses 1, 2 and 3 in Lochain from the West. The big 'crevasse' can be seen below which are indicative of the full depth avalanches that regularly occur in that part of corie! At least this warm weather might get rid of some of the biblically proportioned cornices baring access to the face routes.

The approach from Cairn Lochain to Ben Macdui was on hard snow with thick mist for most of the way. Skiing with a compass in one hand is defiantly an acquired technique (and no I still haven't acquired it yet!) made all the more interesting when the only things visible to use as bearing features is the odd Ptarmigan.

 The Summit of Ben Macdui. There is a shelter under there somewhere! 
 Looking over into the Loch Avon basin at a still winter-locked Carn Etchachan and Shelterstone Crag whilst being buffeted above Hell's Lum. At least I finally got a view!

  Clouds coming down and the wind is picking up. The weather closing in again at spot height 1141m. 

 Time for some descent decent! Looking back up at spot height 1141m before dropping into upper Corie Cas above the ski resort.

 After skirting the steepest corniced section I then dropped down into the Corie. Almost feel sorry for the people on the tows!
Another cracking day. Just not quite as warm as the rest of the UK it would seem!

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