Scottish winter conditions - Creag an Dubh Loch, via Glas Allt Shiel Bothy, 7th December 2013.

Abandoning plans to go to the Northern Corries and head for the Hutchison Memorial Hut due to the forecast high winds over the Cairngorm plateau, we headed further east to try and find better weather. Arriving at Glen Muick carpark, there were still a few cars around, so we had to take tents with us to Glas allt Shiel just in case. As it was, it was empty so we made ourselves at home! As you can see, Mark, made himself the most comfy, right in front of the fire!   

Willy and Ian preparing their dinner.

The TV, warming up nicely!

Only one channel though.

Luxury facilities.

Previous residents include, HRH.....

Our wee gaff in the middle with the smoking chimney.

Wild a mild night and rain for much of it, there wasn't really much chance of finding snow around Creag an Dubh Loch. However, we went for a walk up to the crags for a recce. The massive rock wall is quite impressive, the highest cliffs in the Cairngorms, split by some nice big low grade gullies. Today though, everything was damp and grim. We didn't bother going further as there was no point it going onto the tops to get wet and probably blown off our feet!   

Scottish winter conditions - Sron na Laraig to Stob Coire Sgreamhach, Sunday 24th November 2013.

Finally after waiting the last couple of winters for the right conditions, I managed (along with Ian), to get a chance at climbing Sron na Laraig. It was another warm walk in though, and we weren't sure of the snow conditions higher up. Luckily there were a couple of teams in front to spot to see how they got on. A couple of guys we spoke to were heading to the left of the ridge, whilst we kept to the guide book route by heading right past the first sloping groove and over the rocks to it's right.

A couple of folks high up on the ridge.

Me "somewhere", on the ridge!

Ian, on the ridge with the Laraig Eilde behind.

Higher up on easir ground, looking back down to the spicey bit of the ridge. I was hoping for the team behind us to pop into view as they headed for the arete, but they took too long so we pressed on!

From the top of the Sron na Laraig itself, it is a heavy plod (in snow) up to the summit of
Stob Coire Sgreamhach at 1072m.

Looking back down to the Sron na Laraig ridge from Stob Coire Sgreamhach

The team I was hoping to photograph ealier, topping out on the ridge.

Looking across to Ben Nevis, which seems to have a good covering of snow at the moment.

Trying to take atmospheric winter shots on the summit.

Looking west down Glen Etive.

Messing about with the camera!

Video of me and Ian crossing the last arete on the Sron na Laraig.
Don't look down if you're of a nervous disposition! Best seen full screen in HD.

Scottish winter conditions - Meall Corranaich, Sunday 17th November 2013.

Almost spring like conditions on the way up from the new car park where the old Lawers visitors centre used to be. Lots of folks heading up the other path to Ben lawers, but not many going our way.

Much of last weeks snow has now gone, just patches here and there.  

A patch of snow we found to cross on the route to Meall Corranaich from the bealach between it and the Lawers ridge.

Some snow and small cornices left on the ridge running from Meall Corranaich to
Coire Liath.

Tess waiting for a snack on the way up!

From  Meall Corranaich we descened to Coire Liath, then carried on to Meall a' Choire Leith (seen as in the distance as we didn't stay too long on it's bleak and windy summit!).

Tess checking out the cornices for us!!!

Ok, it will hold 25 kilos!

Signs of the thaw and re-freeze.

Video of Tess enjoying the snow on Meall Corranaich.

Scottish winter conditions - Ben More and Stob Binnien: First winter trip of the season! 10th November, 2013.

The steep slog up from Ben More farm!

Alpine (ish) conditions as we get near the sunshine and the summit of Ben More.

Ian and Willy nearly at the top.

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Ian enjoying the sun on Ben More, with Stob Binnien to his left.

Poppy.

Quite alot of snow on the descent to the bealach between Ben More and Stob Binnnien, with some cornices already forming on steep eastern slopes.

Looking across to Loch Tay.

Willy and Ian on their way up Stob Binnien.

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Stob Binnien summit.

A little snow on Ben Vrackie, Sunday 3rd November 2013.

Tess and Lorna at the summit of Ben Vrackie. This was Tess's first experience of snow!

Tess enjoying the view back to Edinburgh.

You can just make out Schiehallion with a covering of snow in the distance.

More snow on the hills :)

Tess with a wet nose and stuff stuck to it!

Main Face, Pike of Stickle (Grade 3) Langdale - 1st September 2013.

An easy walk in leads to a steep slog up to higher ground, then into a grassy gully before the scrambling begins proper.

Although never too difficult, the exposure mounts the higher you go.

As we got higher the wind picked up making communication hard and staying still long enough to place gear interesting!

Again as you get higher it seems more exposed, but all the rock is sound with plenty of holds. 

At the summit looking back into Langdale and Gimmer Crag.