Today I went into Coire An T-Sneachda in the Northern Cairngorms and headed for the Mess of Pottage to climb the classic gully known as Jacobs Ladder. The last part of the route is the crux which was a great finale to the climb, most definitely felt a grade harder than the given route grade, thankfully no cornice to overcome, just very committing and very steep. Lots of people out today enjoying the calm weather before the next storm arrives.
Helicopter buzzing around the car park first thing, I wondered if they were doing some filming.
Forecast was for the weather to improve by midday, cold and blustery first thing.
Looking up to Coire An T-Sneachda on the walk in, Mess of Pottage is over on the left.
Looking across to Jacob's Ladder from the coire.
Great conditions on the hill, snow and weather were fantastic.
Looking up to Jacob's ladder.
Great views across to Fiacaill Ridge.
Evidence of Avalanche activity, thankfully this was after the recent mild spell and had now firmed up.
Thankfully the snow/Ice in the middle was great for climbing, the sides of the gully were very cruddy, not great for placements.
Small pockets of Wind slab, thankfully didn't cause to many problems.
Lots of Ptarmigan about on the plateau today, they must have had a hard few days as they were really reluctant to move or fly off, no doubt trying to save energy.
En route to Cairngorm, Looking South West over the Cairngorm plateau.
An unusual view of the UK's second highest mountain, Ben Macdui 1309m.
Looking out to the Eastern Cairngorms.
The Granite Tors on Ben Mheadhoin, the large boulders were left by retreating ice sheets at the end of the last ice age.
Lots of evidence of Riming. Rime forms on a snowflake when it passes through a super-cooled cloud.
Looking down into Ciste Mhearad, very popular area used for Snow Holing. Lots of evidence of wind erosion, known as Sastrugi.
Great to see 137 out and about this afternoon, could it be the last time?
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