Winter mountaineering

First of 2 days with some students from UHI in the Cairngorms today working with Matt. We headed to the toe of the Fiacaill of  Coire an t Sneachda to look at step cutting and cramping on steep ground. Then it was the moraines to see that my shovel up from last week was still there and look at self belay and the first self arrest position. From there the group led themselves up to windy col going direct and cutting through a soft wind lip at the top. Onwards to 1082 above Loch Avon and round the back of Cairngorm. At Ciste Mhearadh we avoided walking over an enormous cornice and released a small slab avalanche on purpose before spending half an hour digging emergency shelters. Then it just remained to head to the Ptarmigan Cafe before dropping back to the car park. A full day with a fit keen team.
Mant parties climbing in Sneachda which was living up to its name- still banked out. Routes on the Pottage looked like snow plods!
More pics at https://www.facebook.com/alan.halewood/media_set?set=a.10151913122442081.1073741845.575622080&type=3