For Nik's 40th Carolyn wanted to treat him to a Winter skills course and one thing lead to another and they asked a couple of friends along. They booked a nice warm bunk room in Roy Bridge (I've accommodation next door) and the next day, after sorting out winter boots etc with the ever helpful guys at Ellis Brighams, we took the easy option of the Gondola up Aonach Mor. At the top we practiced ice axe arrests, walking with (and without) crampons, considered the cracks in the cornice above Easy Gully and explored the summits.



The 2nd day saw us in the Cairngorms heading up from Coire an Lochain into the white-out on the summits. Carolyn discovered an old snow shelter by putting her foot through it and we dug it out and crawled inside. On the summit plateau everyone had a go at navigating in the white-out as we headed over to a well known snow hole area to a variety of sleeping shelters before descending back into the Northern Coire's and a well earned drink in Aviemore.



Day 3 saw us catching the 1st gondola up Aonach Mor before heading around the Nid into beautiful crisp (and cold) sunshine and blue skies.