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Cairngorms conditions

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 Kahahaiavga 17 Apr 2024

We are currently at Cairngorms and our original plan was to hike up Sgòr Gaoith for a day trip. However, we saw many snowclad mountaintops while driving around and read from summitpost that the mountain requires proper gear and experience if there is snow.

Does anyone know if the conditions at Sgòr Gaoith currently require iceaxes/crampons/experience, and if so, are there some fun alternatives for a 5-10h trip for a group with only hiking experience?

 Forester3 17 Apr 2024
In reply to Kahahaiavga:

Whilst I’m afraid I can’t comment on the current conditions, there are lots of good alternatives included here: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/

In reply to Kahahaiavga:

'Hiking experience' is a bit of a broad term. A lot of folk would consider non-technical hillwalking with axe and crampons to be 'hiking' but it doesn't seem to be a word used that often in the UK and I'm not sure it has a strict definition. Assuming you mean you all have experience of walking in wild mountainous places, but generally below the snowline?

If so, it's worth noting that conditions have returned to winter up high on the hills this week. It's due to warm up over the weekend but then (currently) forecast to be cooler again next week. That means potential freeze/thaw that will probably firm the remaining snow up and may make things icy and insecure on steep ground.

For what it's worth, the standard route on Sgorr Gaoith is fairly gentle inclines all the way so it may well be possible to get by without axe and crampons on a given day, however it wouldn't be responsible for anyone to suggest this is a given. More of a concern to me would be navigation skill, in potentially poor visibility, on an extensive and featureless snowy plateau, with a very big cliff edge that may well have a large cornice. It's surprisingly easy to walk off these things in a whiteout if you're not paying close attention to bearings, pacing etc.

If it's a fine clear day and you're willing to go have a look and turn around if things are too icy underfoot for safe progress, then here's a Sgorr Gaoith route:

https://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=1228

If in doubt, staying lower might be a good idea. Meall a' Bhuachaille is an obvious less-taxing choice, with easy access and only really the very top likely to be that snowy:

https://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=362

  

 OP Kahahaiavga 18 Apr 2024
In reply to Dan Bailey - UKHillwalking.com:

Thanks for the detailed reply, we just came back from the hike.

No ice axes/crampons required, shouldve probably brought a beanie though because it was a bit windy.

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