Winter Skills 17-19/1/2025

A brilliant way to start the new term with some wonderful sunny weather in the Cairngorms despite the patchy snow skills were learned and big hills were walked.

Leaving in the sunset on Friday night we headed for Aviemore driving past murmurations of starlings next to the A1. we made good time arriving at Glenbeg bunkhouse after the traditional stop at Dalkeith takeaway in time to boil some drinking water and prepare for Saturday.

Saturday morning dawned and the main group headed off to learn some skills including walking in crampons, ice axe arresting among other techniques that help with safely navigating the winter hills. Due to the lean snow conditions they came back over Cairngorm.

A small party of 5 set off early and drove down to the end of Glen Feshie and ascended up to Sgor Gaoith taking in wonderful views over towards Braeriach and the rest of the cairngorms to the east. After a morning of sun the cloud came in as we approached Meall Clach a’ bhlair but we then dropped out of it as we descended. On the descent we had some fun descending a gully and some scree before bashing through some heather back to the main glen and returning to the car.

On returning to the bunkhouse we were treated to a nice spicy chilli courtesy of Jacob and then we played a few games and did some stargazing before heading to bed.

Arising early on Sunday morning we left the bunkhouse after cleaning at 8am and headed for the carpark at Cairngorm ski centre. A pair of walkers tackled Cairngorm before returning to the Cafe. Everyone else set off along the bottom of the northern corries and across the plateau to Ben Macdui experiencing beautiful sunshine and a cloud inversion. After summitting Ben Macdui the group returned over Cairngorm making the most of the weather which felt more like Spring than Winter.

Overall a great trip with some great overhead weather. Hopefully we get some more snow in the near future. Much thanks to all those who came and made it such an enjoyable weekend. -Josh