Cairngorms Photos

Left: Luckily I noticed the stowaway before I packed my sleeping bag.









Right: Ben and Laura smile bravely through a nasty case of arse frostbite








Left: I'm smiling because I had no idea that in a few minutes I'd be wearing 7 mountaineers as a belt. It's ok guys, internal organs are overrated.











Right: The Highland Games gets off to a cracking start










Left: Rich doesn't think much of Ben and Helen's new winter home














Right: Snow clouds over
the ski runs





















Left: the descent




We all had a really good time. We managed to get to the hostel sucessfully, even with some creative navigating by some of us. On Saturday it was faff factor 10 as we failed to get up on time, set a new record for slowness in sandwich making and had to fight with other groups for mugs. We finally got on the hill to find some gorgeous fluffy snow to play in. High avelanch risk, but gorgeous and fluffy. Howard got us to pack the snow down more by sliding down it shouting weeee... I hadn't realised the course would be that much fun. We then learned how to use our axes to break in different positions, which cumulated in some free style hurtling down the hill, trying to avoid ripping ourselves open on the pointy bit of the axe. We also learned how to move on snow- downwards mostly in my case. On my arse. On the way back to the car park we tried out the crampons, and all set off down the hill walking like John Wayne. That night we had haggis and tatties and tried not to fall asleep face down in the food... winter walking is pretty tiring.

Sunday we made snow bollards... well, some people did while Cathy and I made a snow fish. Having realised it wouldn't hold an anorexic hamster, we spent some time decorating it with an eye and fins. Unsuprisingly, it failed. Our ice-axe anchor was a lot more sucessfuly. We also learned absailing and belaying techniques.

We spent sunday night sleeping in Glasgow ariport (even though I was getting a train. Go figure), with only colouring in and repacking to entertain us.

Everyone had an awesome time, and I have some cool pictures and squishy blisters as souvineers.