Cairngorms Day 3

Well we saved the best for last! We knew the weather was looking good for today so had saved the biggest route of the trip for last. As we set off (I can't remember the name of the mountain!) we were alarmed to be greeted by thick cloud and not much visibility. We continued wading our way up regardless, through the snow laden heather in the hopes of some views. We were rewarded for the slog as about half way up we emerged above the cloud line and were treated to a cloud inversion and beaming sun for a few hours. We all had our tops off due to the heat at one point! 

We couldn't believe our luck as there was not a soul around and it was the first time Mark and Olly had been in such conditions after a few years walking experience. I felt especially lucky as this was the second time I had seen view like this in a few months. Pretty spectacular.

Since the weather had cleared we decided to carry on and try and descend the gully we had originally planned to ascend by. As we continued, the cloud rose quickly and enveloped us completely, it was total white out conditions. Finding the gully took some doing, in fact finding anything took some doing! Extra care was taken as we were aware of the potential of wondering onto a cornice or off an edge somewhere. There was some discussion as to whether we should turn back, but we decided to trust our nav skills and managed to find the mouth of the gully. It was a surreal experience as it was extremely still and quiet, and visibility was so poor all you could see was the footprints you had just made disappearing into the cloud. That was it. I was loving being in such conditions and opted to lead the way down the gully; steep but good purchase with the crampons in the consolidated snow, with initial tentative steps turning into strides as the gradient became lessened. We were soon down and emerged through the cloud to a beautiful valley for the walk out.

This was what they call a quality mountain day for sure!