Gwilym's Adventure Blog

Yesterday the weather kept us (and other sane people) grounded but today Mark, Jamie and I decided to have a look to see if it was as bad as forecast. On top of Meall a Bhuachaille (810m) I pulled out my pocket Aneometer and recorded wind speeds of over 70mph whilst hiding behind the summit cairn.

Today with the ski road closed yet again, Mark, Jamie and I headed down Glen Feshie to tackle Sgor Gaoith (1118m) via Carn Ban Mor and onto Sgoran Dubh Mor . Well what a day! I will type no more as the pictures and video say more than I can.

Yesterday I was ill so failed to get out for the second day of the MIC refresher which was a bit of a pain. Today I took Mark and Jamie into Corie na Ciste for some digging. We looked at bucket seats, buried axes, bollards, shelters, stompers, step cutting as well as ropework to go with all of them. Mark is preparing for his WML so it was a good refresher for him. I do think we have now completely trashed this snow slope.

Today I was on an AMI MIC Trainee workshop run by Derek Bain. The conditions were somewhat inclement and myself and the other trainee (also called Derek) worked on short roping and approaching the crag and experimenting with different rope techniques. As the ski road was closed we had to walk up from Glenmore to the Ciste crag. The weather for tomorrow looks no better but we have a second day to work on our skills.

Today Jamie and I headed to Fiacaill Ridge for some mountaineering in the improving conditions. We topped out by midday and did a lap of Corie an t'Sneachda round to 1141 just as the blue sky came through and the visibility improved.  There were a few groups climbing on the ridge and around Fiacaill Buttress but Mess of Pottage is still buried and the gullies from Alladin's Couloir round to Goat track are loaded.

 Spot the Ptarmigan Today, with a forecast of low winds and potential blue skies, Vicky and I decided to head up to Carn Ban Mor from south of Feshie Bridge. Well the forecast was spot on, we had low wind (30mph at most) and patches of blue sky and sunshine. Having made it to the top, the weather started to drift in a bit but we were still able to get back down before the rain started. Many thanks to the retired Art teacher who took the picture of both of us at the summit.

Today with a forecast of 80mph wind and continuous snow, Vicky and I stayed low and headed out to do some Navigation in an around the Ryvoan area. After a good day out doing this, we drove up the ski road just to see. They was at least 7 groups working the patches around the Corie na Ciste carpark and at the ski centre things were pretty wild. Certainly where we were there was no sign of the snow that was supposed to fall as low as Aviemore during the day.