Nottingham MPS, Cairngorm and more

I was out again today with Ron's Talisman Nottingham Uni MPS group, Rob, Elliot, Allee, Sophie and Richard and we had a fun journey up to the summit of Cairngorm then navigated our way to Ciste Mhiread successfully avoiding dropping over the cornice! Once we reached the little corrie, we dug ourselves some comfortable snow shelters for lunch.

Nottingham University MPS

I was working today for Ron's Talisman Nottingham University MPS winter walking group. We walked in to Coire an t-Sneachda practising lots of skills on the way - kicking steps, cutting steps, cramponning and ice axe braking too.

The clouds cleared in the middle of the day giving us fantastic views of the corrie then it clouded over again as we cramponned our way up and down and back to the car park.

Central Gully

Today Alan and I went back into Coire an t-Sneachda to find another gully to climb. Folk were already heading off to Spiral Gully and The Runnel which were our first two choices so we climbed up to Central Gully away from the crowds. The snow was so much firmer than yesterday and there was an icy bulge in the lower section and lots of rime ice on the rock. Even the cornice felt solid compared to the slushiness of yesterday.

We both got a suitable quantity of rime ice on ourselves, clothing and gear to give a lovely wintry feel to the day!

Ron did a bit of a last minute sprint up Spiral Gully late on this afternoon and pictures from him are here!

Crotched Gully

Today Alan and I went climbing in Coire an t-Sneachda and we ended up surprisingly wet! We found some nice icy bits along the way to make the climb quite exciting otherwise the snow was soft all the way to the top of the cornice and up on to the plateau. By the time we reached the top the wind was blowing us up the gully and visibility was pretty poor so limited pictures and heads down!

Tomorrow is looking colder so all change with the conditions.

La Grave

Lots of pictures, video clips and info from Ron here, here and here!
My pictures to follow.

Talisman winter mountaineering - last day

We walked in to Coire an t-Sneachda talking about winter navigation techniques as we went then headed over to the moraine ridge to dig energency shelters. The wind was strong and chilly and we were blasted with spindrift as we dug the shelters. Otherwise, it was a lovely day with lots of atmospheric views and a mix of scoured snow and drifts.

Off to pack now for two weeks of climbing and skiing in La Grave.

Talisman New Year winter mountaineering course and more

Monday was the first day of the New Year winter mountaineering course so Sue and I took the group towards Coire Laoigh Mor for step kicking, cutting, crampons and ice axe braking. Rob, Simon, Kymbal and Sandy all enjoyed the sliding about and they joined Ron for day two on Tuesday to look at ropework.

Today, Wednesday, I was back out again from Coire na Ciste car park with Jon and James for a day of winter skills. We walked in to Coire Laoigh Mor practicing skills along the way then cramponned up the steeper slopes from the corrie to the plateau.