John Chivall, Outdoor Instructor

I had a couple of free days last week, so I headed up with my friend and fellow outdoor instructor Calum Hendry to climb Milky Way (III) in Coire an Lochain, Cairngorm. We found a lot of windblown snow on the ledges, and some unstable windslab on the approach under No 1 Buttress. The route was enjoyable, although there were some very long runouts. On the way back, we came down the Goat Track to take a look at the conditions in Coire an-t Sneachda, where the crags were plastered with rime and snow. A satisfying day out, and hopefully the first of many winter adventures this season, as I work towards my Winter ML.

Calum on the first pitch of Milky Way

Somewhere around here is the edge of a cliff...

Fiacaill Buttress in Coire an-t Sneachda, looking in good early season condition