John and I were out today with a Falkirk Community Trust ski mountaineering team of Ivor, Nigel, Pete and Tony.
We skinned from the Cairngorm Mountain base station up in to Coire an t-Sneachda. We then put skis on our packs and climbed Central Gully. The approach was on soft snow, but once in the gully the snow was excellent throughout and there was no cornice.
After the climb we skied around to 1141m, at the top of the Fiacaill Coire Chais, with a few carries to avoid scoured rocks. A short carry then allowed us to ski down the ridge and in to the ski area to finish with a run on piste back to the car park. Thanks to the folk who helped dig out the minibus that had been left there over the weekend.
No fresh snow during the day; fairly light North/North-West winds; below freezing all day to well below the ski area and we were in cloud most of the day. There’s still plenty of snow right down to the Aviemore level. Ridges and windward slopes are scoured and there will be lots of unconsolidated snow and wind slab on lee slopes.
