A wintery Ben Macdui

For Keith's dad's 60th Birthday back in October we booked a night in the Hilton Coylumbridge to take him and his partner walking for the weekend. It was arranged for 3rd/4th November which turned out to be the start of the winter season. Conditions were awesome - weather couldn't have been better and the mountains were covered in snow giving a great atmosphere but it wasn't deep enough to slow down the pace, nor icy enough to require crampons. Perfect for Lorraine's first munro and first corbett!

Saturday included a gentle stroll up Meall a' Bhuachaille followed by dinner and wine at the hotel to warm up for our much bigger day up Ben Macdui on Sunday.

As we didnt set off until 10am, and had lots of stops along our way enjoying the views and taking lots of photos, we had to walk the last hour or so in the dark - all adding to John and Lorraine's winter experience. It wouldn't be a proper day out in the Cairngorms without a bit of night nav!

Lorraine did awesome - what an achievement reaching the summit of Macdui in winter for your first munro!

If Keith and I are still as fit as John is at 60 we'll be doing well.

Admiring the beautiful views that the Northern Cairngorms have to offer

John and Lorraine crossing the plateau

Happy faces at the summit!

Janey