It was warm in the van this morning. We woke up to several inches of snow covering the van. Unfortunately the gas had finally run out during post dinner tea last night so we needed to go and get breakfast in Aviemore. Breakfast was at the Mountain Cafe, which was nice. Lizzy an dI then headed up to the Ski Centre to gear up and head out onto the hill.
The plan was to head up to the Cairngorm Plateau, then either over to Ben Macdui or round the top of the Coires depending on the weather. The forecast was for a repeat of yesterdays apocalyptic weather.
The plan was to head up to the Cairngorm Plateau, then either over to Ben Macdui or round the top of the Coires depending on the weather. The forecast was for a repeat of yesterdays apocalyptic weather.
the BBV on the sores of Loch Morlich.
Just before we were about to leave Lizzy realised that she couldn't find her phone. After 10min of franticly searching the van and our bags we came to the sickening conclusion that it must still be in the Caffe. So back down to Avimore it was. Then back up to the ski centre. So it was about 11 by the time we finally got round to leaving the van.
We set off into the Coires chatting about winter navigation strategies and quickly overtook a party of Ski tourers who were heading towards the Hutchinson Hut. then we made it up to point 1083. before striking out for the summit of Cain Lochan. The weather was better than expected, but we were now too late to head out to Macdui. We had a session practicing cutting steps on our way up to Lochan. Then we ambled along the rim of the Coires before descending to the carpark. It was a nice day out and a good opportunity to practice some winter skills.
Back in Aviemore it was time for Lizzy and I to part company. She headed back to Skye while I headed for Glasgow via Fort William.
Glasgow via Fort William, an odd route choice I'll grant you, as it turned out it was totally worth it.
I reached Glen Coe in full dark, but as I drove up the pass I had to pull over. The sky was clear and a million stars were visible. Better than that was the moon. Although not quite full it was clear and bright. It lit up the whole valley.
We set off into the Coires chatting about winter navigation strategies and quickly overtook a party of Ski tourers who were heading towards the Hutchinson Hut. then we made it up to point 1083. before striking out for the summit of Cain Lochan. The weather was better than expected, but we were now too late to head out to Macdui. We had a session practicing cutting steps on our way up to Lochan. Then we ambled along the rim of the Coires before descending to the carpark. It was a nice day out and a good opportunity to practice some winter skills.
Back in Aviemore it was time for Lizzy and I to part company. She headed back to Skye while I headed for Glasgow via Fort William.
Glasgow via Fort William, an odd route choice I'll grant you, as it turned out it was totally worth it.
I reached Glen Coe in full dark, but as I drove up the pass I had to pull over. The sky was clear and a million stars were visible. Better than that was the moon. Although not quite full it was clear and bright. It lit up the whole valley.
