Here’s Anne’s report from the recent Scottish trip. Pics are at the bottom and a link to the full trip picture album is on the thread on the forum. https://www.avon-mc.org.uk/forums/topic/scotland-winter-mountaineering-trip-march-2024/

The first day of this trip promised reasonably fair weather with snow on the mountain tops
and three separate groups set out from the farmhouse. Vianney and Anton headed for
Creag Meagaidh where the good snow conditions enabled them to climb Raeburns gulley,
a grade 1 route, Anne and Julian drove round to Fersit to explore some industrial
archaeology and old railway lines crossing the mountains. Lisa and Jamie decided to take
advantage of the key to open up the gates to Ardverikie estate roads to access Ben Alder
via Loch Pattack. They climbed Ben Alder on a grade 3 route known as Alderwand. This
was an arduous undertaking with a total of 20 miles of walking and they returned late at
11pm, tired but satisfied with their achievement. Justin was still to arrive and Ben arrived
that evening.
Monday and Jamie and Lisa headed for the skiing at Cairngorm although the loss of the
vernacular railway means walking some of the way up to access the higher slopes.
Vianney and Anton were also in the Cairngorms where they climbed on Coire An t-
Sneachda and Anne and Julian explored the window on Craeg Meagaidh. Ben enjoyed
walking around the vast Ardverikie estate visiting the hydro electric dam and waterfalls.
Tuesday and the snow conditions were holding out although the mountain tops were
mostly shrouded in cloud. Ben decided to try out the skiing at Glencoe although as photo
shows visibility wasn’t great. Others went to Coire an t-Sneachda where Lisa and Jamie
climbed Alladin’s Couloir and Alladin’s Mirror direct, Vianney and Anton did Fiacaill Couloir
descending via Fiacaill Ridge.
Anne and Julian decided on a rest day and found some excellent Cullen Skink in
Newtonmore.
Wednesday promised to be windy so Anne and Julian headed for a low level walk in Glen
Feshie walking into the Ruigh Aiteachain bothy. The project to remove most of the deer
has enabled nature to thrive again in the glen which was teeming with frogs but it was
distressing to see the damage the winter storms have wrought on many of the trees. Anton
and Vianney went to Huntley’s cave for some sheltered climbing. Lisa and Jamie tried
climbing the famous Ardverikie wall on Binnen Shuas but were forced off by the big winds
and Ben’s second day of skiing found the ski centre closed due to the winds. Justin arrived
that evening and the snow conditions continuing to be good he and Anton made an early
start the following morning and were at the CIC hut on Ben Nevis by 8.40am going on to
climb Tower Scoop III. They had great conditions and described it as a joy to climb. Lisa
and Jamie climbed Hells Lum in the Cairngorms and Anne and Julian drove to the start of
the Lairag Leachac and walked up to the waterfall in Coire Ceannan. Vianney enjoyed a
rest day. Rain had been expected in the afternoon but the weather held good until the
evening however snow fell across the mountains over night.
Weather conditions were uncertain for Friday but Justin decided to take a look at
Raeburns Gulley which he was able to solo. Vianney and Anton hoped for another climb
on Corie an’t Sneachda but ended up breaking trail through deep snow on Cairngorm. Anne
and Julian spent the day exploring the massive Ardverikie estate by vehicle including its
hydro schemes old and new and the herds of red deer, it possibly being their last
opportunity to do so. Ben also enjoyed some of the walking the estate has to offer. Lisa
and Jamie had to head home early for a family commitment.

All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip. The location is wonderful and it is to be hoped
that the club will continue to support the option of winter climbing and mountaineering in
Scotland.
Anne Silber