Winter Skills Cairngorms Day 2

Glenmore Lodge Day 2.
Once again the day begins with a detailed briefing re the weather expected on our day's activities which is the foundation to route choose accordingly. It was an in depth look at Met office data, local data and Avalanche data. Basically, the day was going to be a lot wilder than yesterday's action, stronger blustery winds possible plus -20 wind-chill, could be interesting.

Meall a' Bhuachaille (round hill of the shepherd)

Before we went up the hill we had avalanche rescue training in the grounds locating a probe as a search team, how to narrow in, using probes then team shovelling techniques all done in a windy snow storm fun and very interesting.
A very short bus trip, soon aborted, to find the access road to the ski centre closed due to weather. This quite unbelievable considering the resort relies on snow. So back to the lodge to re-evaluate the day.
We decided to incorporate navigation training whilst walking up Meall a’ Bhuachaille (round hill of the shepherd) but nor by the tourist trail. We went up a very rough and formidable snow walking route.
Our objective was to use the Harvey walking map 1:40 and compass to get to the summit cairn. Not allowed to cheat and use my GPS!!

Forest track from lodge

We started right outside the lodge and followed an obvious track up through the trees until we reached a track, utilising what little info the map could give to navigate, in this case fire breaks.

Where is the track?

On the next main track we were looking for a non obvious track, the area had been deforested in part which did not help, so distance measuring via map and pacing used. Simple technique but I had not used pacing before and I now know I do circa 66 steps per 100 metres.
We all agreed the spot but no obvious track so we headed in to the forest edge but we were just a bit too soon before the unobvious track was found 10 metres to our right in the snowy terrain.

Lunch

Time to feed the hungry before tackling the open terrain.
Once we broke the trees we were navigating to a fixed spot on the map at 675 metres which had a clear map aspect in the form of a U shape. The terrain was really tough going, straight up a steep incline. Underfoot it was heather based which was mostly covered with deep snow so every step was a real effort. No denying this was tough going, very laboured breathing and I thought I was fit but looking back from time to time others were just as bad. In normal conditions you would at least be looking for sheep trails weaving around the heather but not an option.

Cold, windy, steep

As we climbed conditions worsened considerably with the predicted strong westerly winds whipping up the snow, almost white out at times and very cold when we stopped to take bearings.

Take a bearing

We found the point at 675m following an educated discussion about the map features, took a new bearing and made our way to the cairn which provided some shelter. Not before the wind blew the map out of a colleagues hands, wonder if he had to pay the stores for it.

Group on the summit

Some snaps then a quick decision to descend eastwards via tourist track route, under snow, but al least wind at our back. One of the instructors described the weather as ‘uncomfortable’ an under statement.

Descent looking East

The gods were looking out for us as the weather broke to allow us see the vague outline of the trail and then some good views of the surroundings. The Cairngorm tops had significant spindrift blowing across the tops. Our weather was poor but the original plan up there would have been a lot worse.

Looking south to Bynack Mor

Although we could see the outline path it was too icy under the snow covering so could not be risked for the most part. We had left our crampons at the lodge to save weight, just goes to show, in winter prepare for everything. Instead we had long clambers through knee deep heather and even deeper snow once more, a few falls but no injuries and Ryvoan Bothy was reached. Busy place, walkers were already in situ, fire burning, they were staying outdoors for two days.

Ryvoan bothy

A walk back along the Ryvoan the trail passing the green Lochan and down to the lodge, a cyclist fully laden heading up the difficult track, snow covered and icy, well laden, another overnighter?
Back at the lodge debrief time and cake.
Overall a superb but challenging two days, both mentally and physically which in fairness made me rethink my fitness for long winter high level walking.
Very glad I went as it was a good group and instructors.

Digging out time

Last task was to dig the car out, then I could not get the car up the icy hill to the track. Two of us managed to grit the hill and I just made it up and no more.
Enough excitement for 1 day, I need a beer.
Time: 4.38
Ascent: 1556ft
Distance: 4.86m

Winter Skills Cairngorms Day 1

I was excited to be attending Glenmore Lodge outdoor activity centre, just outside of Aviemore, situated at the base of the Cairngorms. The course I was enrolled on was about winter skills training and we certainly got winter.

View of Cairngorms from Lodge briefing room

A briefing started the day, 7 of us pupils plus the 2 instructors. If full it is a 1:6 ratio but two instructors for seven gave us more personal attention. The first hour was spent reviewing a selection of the available websites that gave us the weather information required to make today as safe as possible. The decision taken was to walk into Coire na Sneachda, exciting a first for me.

My kit before adding extra clothes

But before going out it was a check of the gear we needed to have compared to what we had and anything that was missing could be picked up from their fantastically equipped store.
Ready to go and it was a short drive to the ski centre.

Lodge Van

As soon as we left the van at the ski centre and went to the path it was time for crampon use. The bridge and path were sheer ice. I had never used full crampons before and what an eye opener, once I got them on, total grip.

Crampons on route directly ahead

Navigation up to and into Coire na Sneachda involved some of us leading for a while, a stop to study the topography, both from our eyes and from the map, taking a correct bearing then onwards and so on. The weather regularly opened up and closed in again giving superb glimpses of the surroundings. Also at times other groups could be seen, some rock climbing, some skiing, other walkers a reasonably busy place for a wild Monday. A party of 10 or so were already strung out climbing the crags up to Cairn Gorm. I don’t think that I would have the strength for that.

Coire Na Sneachda

I took my gloves off for a couple of minutes whilst retying my crampons and when I put my gloves back on I realised how cold it was, my right thumb was painful but recovered quickly, a good lesson. The forecast showed 20-30mph gusts with a temperature of -2 but a wind chill factor of -20. Cold as it was I was pleased that my layering system worked perfectly not needing to add or remove clothing.
All of the snaps in this blog were from my phone as the cold had affected my main camera, it did thaw out for use the next day.

Crampon walking practice

Crampon walking on hilly snowy terrain was a lot of fun. Practising front and side foot techniques very useful.
Crampon and ice axe techniques on snow wall climbing was even more fun. Maybe the best of the day for me, felt like a mountaineer climbing Everest lol.
The winds really picked up at this stage, picking up and swirling the loose snow into white out conditions. Goggles on and they were a godsend, I would not have coped without them. A snow hole was dug to prove its life saving effect from the wind.

Rocky top of Fiacail a Choire Chais

Next was an uphill steep walk up the crags of Fiacail a Choire Chais. This was quite gruelling as it was on deep snow and rocky terrain. The rocks being dangerous for the crampons. It was tough going and energy sapping as each step was knee deep into the soft snow, a zig zag pattern adopted and a lot of heavy breathing.
Up and over the ridge and now ice axe techniques including stop arrest whilst walking without crampons was also a lot of fun.

Team talk

The final section of the day was a long walk back to the ski centre without crampons. Again some of the ground was firm then although it looked the same you plunged straight into knee deep soft snow hollows. This was tough and gave me added respect for snow covered terrain particularly as darkness was falling as we reached the van.
Back to the lodge for coffee and cake but don’t linger the day was not over. A lecture on navigation for an hour, quick dinner then another lecture on avalanches and time for bed, wow a long but very different and exciting day, you only live once.