Braemar New Year 2000

Thursday 4th. After an eventful trip to Braemar, which involved not getting over the pass at the Cairnwell, we all decided to climb the Cairnwell and the surrounding summits from the ski centre car park. The car park, usefully situated at an altitude of 650m helped us to get to the top of Carn Aosda in an hour. We then climbed Carn a'Gheoidh in time for lunch before a marathon sledging session. The Cairnwell was the final summit of the day before dropping off to the car park down the ski slopes.

Friday 5th. Two walking groups. Andy and Alistair climbed Ben Macdui, from Lin of Dee. A silly walk at only 30 some km and over 1000m af ascent. Crampons were required for the section on the track to Derry lodge due to the compacted snow. They summited in white out conditions and were just setting off back when every thing cleared up, apparantly much to Alistair's delight.

The second walking group climbed Lochnagar, again in white out conditions and hence saw very little all day. The rest of us went ski-ing. Which was good, so long as you don't mind ski-ing over the rocks and grass sticking up through the thin snow.

Saturday 6th. Those of us still able to walk climbed Sgor Mor, a corbett on the upper Dee valley. Recommended for it's views of the cairngorm 4000er's. The views would have been spectacular on a good day although it was a little cloudy. Everyone was ready to go home.

The trippers

Alistair, Andy, Anthony, Bex, Dave, Friederike, Lee, Seb and Tim