Please note the definite theme here of cakes, cafés and butties…..!!

JohnH
Hoped to repeat the 1959 walk of former member Keith Work, and walk to the Cairngorm summit from Aviemore! Unfortunately getting soaked on the first part of the walk to the Cairngorm Car Park (3hrs) prevented the completion of the attempt. Will try again in better weather.

BillL
As above but in reverse – not that I walked backwards – that would be too risky – no, from car park to fleshpots of Aviemore. Had hours to kill so God Bless Charity Shops. Walked round Loch Morlich – my only achievement!!

JoeG
Plan 1 was ski-ing but terrible visibility, strong winds, rain, not much snow and, for the first time in my life, NEW SKIS made me opt for Plan 2. This was a wander up Aladdin’s Couloir or some other gully onto the Cairngorm Plateau and then descend via the Chalamain Gap and Rothiemurchus Forest. After a few minutes of trudging into a water-filled gale I decided that if I survived the avalanche-prone ascent and descent I may well meet my maker simply by being blown off the plateau. I briefly considered a direct traversing descent towards the Chalamain Gap but the ground between me and it would be best described as a bog in spate. Given the very real chance of death by drowning in either porridgy peat or crazy torrent I chose to return to the Ski Car Park and follow the well groomed paths to the Chalamain Gap. A lovely place with a jumble of granite boulders and wee crags, good for a bit of climbing on a summer’s evening but this was my first visit since the freak fatal avalanche of last winter. To think that such a seemingly benign slope could cause such a devastating tragedy was a sobering experience. Too sobering. A quick wander through the woods soon found me in Aviemore in the pub with a pint in hand.

RobM
Walked from Sugarbowl car park across to the Lairig Ghru pass down to Aviemore Cairngorm Hotel for soup and a few pints. Weather wet and windy.

GraemeG, David BD
Left the ski centre car park with the intention of climbing Ben Macdhui. On reach spot height 1083, it became apparent that this was not going to be achieved. We skirted the Northern Corries, giving them a wide birth in whiteout conditions. We decided to climb Cairngorm as a consolation.

AndyB
No regrets about going for a low level walk. Up Glen Einich (a walk deserving of better weather) until stopped by a burn in spate across the track. Back and around Loch an Eilean. Plenty of walking, if not much height.

DanM, BobM, SheenaF on skis!
Keen to make the most of the weather we rushed off the bus for bacon butties in the café! After sustenance, we could delay the inevitable soaking no longer and so made for the second café, but alas it was shut. After a quick snack we fumbled around in the whiteout before making an epic descent back to the coach, and the café. One run, three cafes……!!

RayH, MagnusH, EvelyneD, SheilaP, Jenny S,
Winter skills session – wet and windy. Managed to do some step kicking and practice self-arrest with the ice axe. Got cold so we headed back down for a well deserved hot chocolate!

SandyM, RosW, CorinneF, DaleW, EdH, MalcolmC, DesmondC
A great day in Coire Cas doing ice axe arrests, cutting steps, crampon use. Weather was challenging with high gusting wind, rain , sleet and snow. Walked on to Ptarmigan – but café closed – no cake. Down to car park and just made it in time before café closed – got tea and cake and began to thaw. All in all a worthwhile day refreshing skills.

Author: Corinne