Arrived at Edinburgh from CPH on Sunday evening and met up with Maria, who had flown in from her Alpine ski trip… All very international. Got the car and then a 2 hour drive up to Aviemore, staying at the Aviemore SYHA.
Up early on Monday, weather was good but seven days of Considerable avalanche forecast… We stopped at the top carpark and walked into Coire an t-Sneachda. Avoided all the avalanche slopes and were the first on Fiacaill Ridge. There was an interesting slope low down and some nice runouts, which took us to the top, Switching leads as we went. Ticked a summit on the plateau to increase our ascent count.
Tuesday predicted worsening weather (100 mph winds) and more of the same avalanche forecast. We headed up to the lower carpark… (road and ski now closed) and spent a skills day on the buttress up on the left of Allt na Ciste. A good day practicing snow stuff and abseiling off snow anchors… and a better day’s weather than predicted.
Wednesday promised more avalanches and higher winds. Road and ski centre still shut. We made it back to the lower carpark before we were getting blown over so made a quick retreat. An afternoon checking out the kit shops and a drive back to Edinburgh for the flight home on Thursday.
Always worth the visit and never a wasted trip.
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
