19-24 February
Two weeks before our trip to Aviemore, we looked on with excitement at the heavy snow forecasts for the general Cairngorm area. One week before our departure, we looked at snow-covered mountains on social media and webcams. Then, a few days before the trip, we kept our fingers crossed that the incoming warm weather front would not melt all the snow and that the forecast of storm-force winds was overly pessimistic…
Day 1: Shane arrived one day before the rest of us and managed to get out for a run in the snow through Glenmore Forest and towards the Lairig Ghru. For our first full day out, Stacey and Alex determined that the best chance of nearby climbable snow out of the wind would be on Lurcher Crag so we packed up our full kit and headed back to the Lairig Ghru in search of any gully in condition. Unfortunately, we only found wind and rain. However, Stacey did make use of his axe on the way back, but cutting a step into an unavoidable ice shelf on the path.
Punit and Maher decided on a longer drive down to Creag Meagaidh, but had more luck and managed to find some suitable snow to practice ice axe arrests on Beinn a Chaorainn. Michelle and Gill meanwhile chose a route from the hostel up to Craigellachie.
Day 2: the whole group heeded the warnings from MWIS and scaled back our ambitions to a simple walk around the Rothimurchus Estate. A bit of extra interest was added with an ascent of Ord Ban, with its sub-500m height being manageable in the wind. Thanks to Michelle for planning and navigating the route for us all.
Day 3: was our weather window to get to the top of something because the forecast for the Cairngorm plateau was ‘only’ 40mph winds and intermittent rain/snow. Therefore, we set off in two groups from the ski centre car park taking two different routes toward Ben Macdui.
Stacey, Alan & Dan followed the main path and had the opportunity to practice some first aid on the way after a member of another party slipped and hit his head on a rock. We then continued to the summit and even had a couple of minutes where the cloud lifted to reveal wonderful views.
Punit, Maher, Alex & Alex took a more interesting route via the Goat track, but unfortunately had to turn back before reaching the summit. Michelle and Gill hiked up as far as the ice field and then (due to the high winds) returned to the ski centre cafe. Shane went up Cairngorm and ran back to Loch Morlich for a coffee. Michelle and Gill then passed him running back to the youth hostel and gave him a lift.
Day 4: Alex, Shane, Punit and Maher all had to depart, but the remainder followed Michelle on a route from the hostel up to investigate the Duke of Gordon’s monument. Then, while Stacey & Dan rushed back to the pub to watch the six nations rugby, Michelle, Alan and Gill went hunting for the Duchess’ monument to give them a more circular route back.
Despite the weather, a good time was had by all and we can certainly say that we sampled an excellent range of whiskies and a good amount of Aviemore’s live music scene!
Thanks must go to Stacey for organising everything. Fingers crossed for better snow next year!
Great trip and some quality climbs. And some extensive abseil practise!