The Cairngorms: Christmas '07

Conditions were perfect, and this year, 22 very excitable UBESters turned up outside the Union at 4am, bleary eyed and beard-scratchingly tired (apart from a few of us fortunate not to have to drive who were still buzzing from Mr.Wedge's Union that night). We pilled into a minibus and several cars and began the long drive up to the Cairngorms. I can't comment on the journey as I was asleep all the way, but thanks to the drivers for getting us there all safe and sound!

The very swanky bunkhouse was located in Newtonmere, about 20miles ish down the road from Aviemore (http://www.newtonmore.com/strathspey/facilities.htm). We all squeezed in including the occupation of the sofa and living room floorspace, and had the first of many an excellent meal on the trip.

The first two days were spent, for most, on the winter skills course, training in the coire to the N of Cairn Gorm and on the second day venturing over to Ben Maccudi. The course taught those new to the snow the basics of using ice axes and crampons without savaging your brand new waterproofs. Meanwhile, the rest of us remembered which way up the map was and had a stomp around in the snow with our expertly savaged waterproofs from previous years of wear and tear.

The following three days were split between lots of winter walking and climbing mostly in the corrie NE of Coire an Lochain (I can just about pronounce most of the names - perhaps someone could tell me how Corrie an t'Schnechythingy is spelt). The climbing front was headed up by Doug, Gareth & Neil for the most part although several of us had the chance to do our first winter climbs up there as well (when we could remember to bring our ice axes). Despite the fact that a number of the climbs weren't in condition, they managed to get plenty of routes ticked off (don't even ask me what they did, Crotched Gulley is the only one I remember) and Neil did his first few winter leads.

I can only comment on my own walks, which seemed to generally get longer and longer throughout the walk (peaking around 10 1/2 hours or more but I'm not moaning). The conditions were absolutely sublime and all groups spent the week with almost continual clear skies and plenty of snow up on the Cairngorm Plateau when you got up there. Two of us ticked off the 6 highest peaks in the UK (get in!) and two separate days involved trips over to Ben Nevis with ascents via the very long but spectacular ridge to the East, and a scramble up the northern arete. Other walks took in the moutains to the South and East of Carin Gorm (I'm so bad at spelling these names so I daren't even write them all down...) including Cairn Toul, Angel's Peak, Ben Maccdui, Braeriach as well as walks further North and West within the Cairngorm National Park. The mountains out the back of the bunkhouse also provided us with our own 10 peak challenge and the chance to bag a few more Munros.

The last day was spent chilling in Aviemore (I think) and playing on the frozen Loch Morlich; apart from myself and Doug who nipped up Ben Maccdui and back. Tash and Tara, eager as ever to go for a dip, managed a lake bag somewhere along the line, but I must have missed there whilst I was up there!

Evening entertainment was varied, but the highlight was probably a rather violent and aggressive game of sock wrestling on the penultimate night. Blood was spilt, and there was certainly no holding back even when it came to mixed-sex wrestling... For the rest there was plenty of games of cards and twister, or the local down the road.

Special mention must also go to the work put in by a number of individuals for the exceptional Christmas meal on the Thursday night. In fact, an enormous thank you to everyone who helped cook, tidy up, lead walks and last but not least drive. The trip wouldn't have happened without you.

And finally, we are all indebted to Tara & Ewan for their hard work in organising and putting on the trip in the first place! Great work guys!