Cairngorm Plateau; and Ben Bhraggie
Cairngorm Plateau - Winter Skills
A tremendous twelve turned out for Winter Skills practice at the Cairngorm plateau. Lucky for us we were treated to excellent conditions – low wind, low avalanche risk, low enough temperatures for plenty of snow. Not that it felt that way as we sweated our way up a sloping path from the carpark. Ahead in the distance, the awesome amphitheatre of the northern corries with the dots of climbers strewn across the ultimate playground.
At Martyn’s prompting we paused, it was time to try on our crampons before the slope got slopier. While Martyn unsteamed his glasses, the rest of us pulled out crampons of varying size and vintage attempting to decipher them on. And with a bit of teamwork, we did. Continuing higher we were treated to views of Lurcher’s Crag, Braeriach and Ben Macdui glistening in the sunshine. For a brief moment, we stopped for a go at ice axe arrest in stubbornly sticky snow. Admitting defeat, we pushed on up to the plateau, contouring round until it was time to eat.
Lunch brought an impromptu birthday celebration for Lina (and inadvertently Emma). A huge ginger cake with candles that stubbornly refused to light. Was it the wind? The altitude!? No matter, it was a beautiful moment ended only by our need to get moving and warmed up, with the wind blasting us it was suddenly flipping freezing.
Time was ticking, so we headed for the 2nd nearest exit, via point 1141, whilst debating the identity of the surrounding peaks. And down. Pausing only to defer the universally agreed worst bit of the day (trudging through the ski area) with a final ice axe arrest practice in slightly less sticky snow. Having already switched her crampons-overtrousers ensemble approximately 12 times, Becky was not to be thwarted and threw herself down the slope: Feet first, headfirst, face up, face down – with impeccable technique. David and Tom spiced things up with up the introduction of survival bag taboggan, the speed injection well matched by their ice axe stopping power.
Finally, circuit complete, we found ourselves back where we started, our winter skills refreshed, ourselves invigorated by the fresh air, snow, sun, good company – and in some cases, Haribo. We departed looking forward to more great winter hill days to come.
Taking part: Emma, Martyn, Stella, Stuart, Chris, Matt, Joanne, Becky, Arthur; prospective members Lina and Tom; and guest Ellie
Words: Emma
Photos: Chris, Joanne, Martyn, Stella and Arthur
Ben Bhraggie Circular Walk
Peter, Marion, Lisa, Helen, Callum, Federica, John, Richard and May set off to walk Ben Bhraggie from Golspie. It was a fine winter morning with the sun out to greet us. The summit today was 397m.
We followed Fountain Road then passed under the railway line and headed to Rhives Farm. From there the path weaves its way in and out of trees, through a gate and continues to the top. The scenery was phenomenal on the path up as we approached the Sutherland monument – a 100ft statue and plinth known locally as The Mannie. We had good views over Loch Fleet and the coastline of Golspie.
Following refreshment at the monument Peter, Marion and Lisa opted for a different route down. The rest of us continued on the path along open moorland before dropping back into the forest. This part of the walk is mostly flat on good tracks. We eventually came to a junction signposted “Big Burn link path” reaching the woods and around the waterfall.
The walk back down through the woods at Big Burn was delightful, criss-crossing the river by bridges, before emerging at the small parking area to follow the road back to Golspie.
This was a great little walk offering superb views and was enjoyed by all.
Taking part: Peter, Marion, Lisa, Helen, Callum, Federica, John, Richard and May
Words and Photos: May
