Orion M.C.

Another fantastic winter day on the hill yesterday!! Jen, Scott, Gavin, Dom, Kev, Adam and myself headed up Fiacaill ridge, followed by a wander round the corrie, a wander up to the summit of Cairn Gorm and a less sceanic stagger down through the ski slopes. A little bit cold, but beautiful sunshine all day - in fact, Gavin didn't even put his jacket on all day!

Here are the photos;

Thankfully someone else had broken the trail through the very deep snow.







Crampons required on the slightly slippery ridge:



Gavin posing on the ridge:



Scott posing at the end of the route:



The team on the plateaux:



Looking back to the ridge:



On our way up to Cairngorm:



A bird. Not had a chance to look at my bird book - anyone know what it is?

Gorms look plastered, were any of you? Seriusly though, looks great day out. Very jealous.

Don't know the burd.

It's a Snow Bunting, Gordy.

More photos…

Walk in round towards Coire an t-Sneachda through the deep snow





We then headed over to the Fiacaill Ridge which was the safest option due to the high avalanche conditions and was where everyone and their dog (quite literally) was headed.



Jen with the cliffs of Sneachda behind her



On the ridge



We didn’t have gear with us so we proposed to head up the right hand side of the main upper part of the ridge, which turned out to quite arduous in the very deep and steep snow slopes.

The upper part of the ridge with folk queuing at the bottom pitch.



Lunch stop on the ridge



Looking back along the ridge from the top of Invernookie



Gordy coming up the side of the ridge



The buttresses of Sneachda from the ridge



On the ridge near the top



Looking across the plateau to Shelter Stone Crag.



Adam breaks a block of snow over his head



We had planned to carry on to Ben Macdui, but the deep snow had slowed us down and instead we decided to head round the top of Sneachda and go up Cairn Gorm.

Gavin leads off across the plateau



Profile of the Fiacaill Ridge from the top of the Goat Track



Top of Fingers Ridge



Cairn Gorm



We then headed down through the multitude of skiers in Coire Cas before walking back down the road.

Meall a’Bhuachaille late in the day as we arrive back at the cars.

Some photos from me at last:

Lotsa snow:


The Fiacaill ridge:


Folk coming up Cairngorm:


Other photos are at: http://flickr.com/photos/hanguk_horizons/sets/72157613697206865/

I didn't take any photos of the immensely entertaining, hours-long Saturday snowfight round Loch na Eilean between David, Jen and myself due to forgetting I had spare batteries with me .

Great pics guys! The ridge looks fantastic, though it looks like hard work in the deep snow....so who's the tailgater now that I'm on the other side of the world!!??? ....or does that depend on who has the greatest hangover or who kept who awake with the early morning racket, oops, I mean... guitar...drums...rrr.... someone singing!!??

well...sadly not a chance of snow in Queensland, only a cyclone, excess winds and good rain which the state has needed for a good 8 years now. The only thing I could try and parcel back to you is a bit of sun...though it sounds like you Scotts have done a 'whole in one' and baged all the great sunny winter walking days in this current season!!

Hope you guys are all well and are cheeky as usual....though, based on the moon pics, sounds like you have been.

Well, while you guys are still sleeping, I better catch the last of the working day to try and convince someone to employ me...as the Government won't consider me as a resident in my own bloody country which = $0 financial support. ....so....was that marriage proposal still open???

Gotta go climb a few of my own mountains. Ciao for now, and safe walkin'.

Well not quite...after Saturday's dreich day I wouldn't mind some of your Ozzie sunshine and warmth

Good to hear from you Jennifer and I hope you get a job soon.

Thanks Scott. Shall keep you posted re employment.....I'm even thinking about being a postie for a while in order to avoid a boring office job! Relocating back to Oz has by far been the hardest move I've made in the last 3 years. Its such a different lifestyle here and I miss the gang, the bothy trips and the quietness of the mountians. Keep up the great work guys.