MTA (Mountain Training Association) CPD Workshop, Northern Cairngorms - Saturday 21st February 2015

Yesterday I was on a MTA (Mountain Training Association) CPD (Continuing Personal Development) workshop in the Northern Cairngorms. These days are for those of us who are either planning to under take one of the MTA winter awards, in the process, between training and assessment or who already hold one of the awards. The aim of the day was to look in detail in how to plan a journey in the mountains under winter conditions.

 Walking into the Northern Corries on a stunning Saturday morning.

 Looking North to Meall a' Bhuachaille and Loch Morlich.

 Safe Terrain? It may look safe but always be aware of what's happening above you, below you and more importantly under your feet.

 Coire an Lochain.

 Lots of static sessions with our guide for the day, IFMGA Andy Townsend. Discussing the weather, terrain and snow pack model.

 Putting the theory into practice.

 Discussing and using the SAFOS Be Avalanche Aware framework. No matter how safe a slope may look there is always an inherent risk.

Thinking about the impact people have on the snow pack, spreading out to minimize the shock load whilst traversing across Avalanche terrain.

   

 Safe travel techniques in Avalanche terrain. Keep in mind though, if it doesn't feel right then most likely it isn't right.

 On the featureless Cairngorm plateau.

 On the hill Observations and looking at Terrain Traps.

 looking South into the Lairig Ghru.

 Speaking about managing the human factors.

 While terrain, weather and snow pack are the key factors contributing to avalanche danger, you, the human factor are the most important element in the middle of the triangle.

Walking out with lots of food for thought, lots of great static and practical sessions covered today, really enjoyable day with a great bunch of guys.

Winter Skills in the Cairngorms - We Fought the Wind and the Wind Won - Sunday 15th February 2015

Today I was out with Chris, Fiona, Claire and John running an introduction to Winter Skills course. After a change in venue due to the high winds, we headed up the track to the North West side of Meall a' Bhuachaille. 

 Great Views back down to Loch Morlich.

 Kicking Steps.

 Getting to grips with using an Ice Axe.

 Cutting Slash Steps.

 Now the fun really begins, Ice Axe arrest (Stopping a Slide).

 More advanced Ice Axe Arrest - Sliding head first, face down.

 Arresting a slip whilst head first on your back.

 Introducing and using Crampons.

 Concentrating on foot placement whilst front pointing and descending the slope backwards.

 We love Winter in the Cairngorms.

 Time to put all the skills in to context and go on a journey.

 Into the eye of the hurricane force winds, at this point we decided to head down. The winds were a lot stronger than had been forecast, even at 700 meters, staying up right was a challenge.

All smiles at the end of the day, the guys and girls did exceptionally well after today's challenging conditions, fun day with a great group. 

Geal-charn Mor - Tuesday 10 February 2015

 Looking up to the summit of Geal-charn Mor before the cloud rolled in from the West.

 Looking South to the Feshie Hills.

 Some serious excavation work going on next to the Burma Road.

   Scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris) is an evergreen conifer native to Northern Europe and is one of just three conifers native to the UK. It is found in abundance in the Caledonian forest in the Scottish Highlands - Mature trees can live for up to 700 years.

 Great views to the Cairngorms to take your mind off the relentless knee deep soft snow.

 Looking South down the Allt Dubh towards Creag Ghleannain 599m.

 The Burma Road was originally constructed by prisoners of war in the 1940's. 

 At 700m the snow started to firm up, below this it was deep and soft which made for hard walking conditions. 

 No views today, cloud had rolled in from the West by the time I had reached the summit.

 Inquisitive female Red grouse. Lots of Mountain hares roaming about as well as a pair of Golden Eagles soaring above.

Great light over the Cairngorms on the descent back down the Burma, It'll be a while yet before your able to Mountain bike on the Burma.

Carn Odhar - Carn Elrig - Monday 09 February 2015

Looking towards Creag an Leth-Choin (Lurchers Crag) and the Lairig Ghru, Sron na Lairige on the right.

 Looking North East towards Rothiemurchus estate and Loch Morlich.

 Looking East towards the Chalamain Gap. The route through the Chalamain gap was a feeder to the Lairig Ghru and likely would have been used by drovers trying to get to Deeside from Speyside.

 Carn Elrig 742m from Carn Odhar 734m.

 Carn Odhar from Carn Elrig. Even with the spring like conditions, still lots of snow at this lower elevation, mainly soft underfoot with small areas of hard neve, Snowshoes would have been a good choice today.

 Loch Morlich and Meall a' Bhuachaille.

 What a vista for a sunset, after today's weather, it's hard to believe were still in the middle of winter, felt way more like spring.

 Looking South towards Loch Eanaich with the Feshie hills on the right. A very defined East-West divide, most hills to the West of me were capped in cloud, very clear conditions to the East.

 Looking East to Cairngorm as the sun went down.

 Away in the distance, the summit of Ben Macdui 1309m, the UK's second highest summit

Great end to a great day although it was pitch black by the time I walked out back to civilization. More of the same tomorrow.