Aviemore in a Flash

Friday night saw two cars full of Dicks heading north. Dick 'Magic' Johnson, Dick Kenrick, Dick '10K' Harrison, the last two dicks being Mr. Eccles and myself!
The journey was over in a flash or so it seemed, our accommodation, a new bunk house in Kingussie.
The forecast was for heavy snow, which did not materialize.

 
Saturday, with an early start we split into two teams headed for the Chorie Chais car park. Dick's Johnson and Harrison were Coire an Lochain bound, Dick Kendrick, Andy E and Myself, Coire an t-Sneachda and Crotched Gully.
The day was cold, no, very cold! The summit temperature was about -7C but with a howling wind, this felt more like -35C. Our belay stances were at best uncomfortable, lashed with spin drift and snow debris from climbers above. Kenders was on the sharp end and did a sterling job of the crux rock step. Reverting to Alpine style once on easier ground.
Photo Right: Kenders at the beginning of Crotched Gully
We all met up in the Ski Center Café, were the stories coming out of Lochan were of higher winds, colder temperatures, lost maps and a close encounter with the great slab!

Photo Left: For the first time a Child out Eccels!






Photo Below: The frozen summit team
Sunday, Dick J and myself hit the slopes of Choire Chais for a days Skiing, we pretender to be experts but failed miserably! The button lifts provided much entertainment. Still a good day was had by all.
Kenders, Harrison and Eccles headed south to wreckie a bothy near Newtonmore

Thanks to all for a great weekend!

Simon

PS. Kenders - Sorry for accidentally letting my camera flash of as we passed those speed cameras and then for forgetting to tell you it was me.......................he he!!