Well the winter continues to be kind to us, members have been out individually all over the Lakes and some have made regular forays into the Scottish Highlands, notably Phil and Sue who disappeared for about a week and knocked off a number of outstanding ice routes, well done them.

Jan 29th to 31st. Newtonmore, Cairngorms meet.

Our annual Cairngorm weekend was dogged by a poor forecast for much of the week leading up to the trip, with heavy snow forecast in strong Northerly winds. True to form this arrived on the Friday, blowing out John's day working in Aberdeen and making it impossible to get up to Elgin and Inverness for his afternoon appointments.

Meanwhile, over in Aviemore, Dan Bulman, Pete Sowerby and Martin Smith made it up by lunchtime and spent the afternoon, in a fine ‘ Sneachda, enjoying a quick solo of Aladdin's Couloir, and bumped into Tim (The Terminator) Millen who had just popped up to solo Red Gully, The Runnel and Aladdins Mirror Direct, his first Scottish grade IV! And so, the theme was set for the weekend.

John arrived first at the hostel and soon had a fire roaring up the chimney, to make a warm welcome for those that followed. All eighteen had arrived by about 10.30, with Steve, Dawn and John (Moonie) appearing last, just before most folks headed off to bed, ready for an early start.

Saturday dawned with a clear sky and a full moon so everywhere was looking ethereal after the fresh snow, which had fallen overnight. Tony Morley and Ian Armstrong, Phil Wilkinson and Sue Greenwood, Tim Millen with John Moore and finally Steve McDonnell and Dawn Jardine, all headed off to Creag Meagaidh, where Ian and Tony did Missed the Post IV,4, finishing up the top pitch of Last Post when the ice ran out and Phil and Sue had a long wait till mid-day behind a slow party of three on their chosen route, The Pumpkin V,4***.

Back on the Post Face, Tim and Moonie did South Post Direct V,4** and last but far from least Steve and Dawn knocked off Centre Post Direct V,5, which Steve described as "the hardest 5 he has ever lead!" Having left well before 6 in the morning the last of the Meagaidh party, Phil and Sue, got back after 10 in the evening....so a nice long day there then.

The rest of the party were up at a reasonable 5.30, breakfasted and off to the Northern Corries, to arrive at the bottom of the ski road at about 7.10, only to find it locked until 8a.m. when the upper car park had been cleared of overnight snow. There followed a Le Mans start for the best places in ‘Sneachda.

John Holden and Pete Sowerby headed up to Spiral Gully II**, allowing a younger party to overtake on the approach pitch, but then regaining the lead in the grooves to top out first on a wild and windy plateau.

Martin Smith and Dan Bulman had a very fruitful day, starting with Aladdin's Mirror Direct IV.4**, moving quickly on to Red Gully III** and finishing the day with the excellent Runnel II**, which is apparently very steep at the top at the moment.

Comedy duo, Tony Stoddart and Brian Hinvest enjoyed Aladdins Couloir I, I think just roping up for the final steepening to the plateau and finally, our three ladies, Dorine Tinnion, Paula H-Gibson and Jackie Jackson started up Aladdins Mirror, but sensibly backed off on finding over six feet of loose powder snow on the elbow just waiting to dump itself and anyone on it over the lower cliffs. Paula, retired to take photos after this while Dorine and Jackie crossed the corrie and up onto the Fiacaill Ridge where Dorine, uncharacteristically, got extremely cold in the freezing wind, forcing another retreat.

Talk in the pub that evening was of similar days planned for the Sunday, but the reality was somewhat easier for most, after the exertions of our great first day. Back in ‘ Sneachda Steve and Dawn did Aladdins Mirror Direct, as did Tim and Dorine, who went on to add Goat Track Gully II to the tally for the weekend. Ian and Tony did Red Gully and there was a massed, solo ascent of Jacobs Ladder I, by Tony, Brian (the last 70 metres with a loose crampon!), John, Dan, Martin and Pete, followed by a great "bum slide" back down into the corrie.

Jackie and Paula headed over to Glenmore Lodge and enjoyed a walk up onto Meall a' Bhuachaille, via the Ryvoan Bothy, taking in the spectacular views over the Northern Corries to The Lairig Ghru and Braeriach.

Heading off South Phil and Sue knocked off the pleasant Corbett, Ben Vrackie, near Pitlochry before carrying on home.

So, as you can see, we had a superb weekend! The one person who hasn't had a mention so far is Dave Greenwood, who having nothing spiky for his feet was restricted to low level walks, it being far too dangerous to venture onto the still icy paths above Newtonmore. He did, as always, do a great job of tidying up after the rest of us and had the hostel really toastie for our return on Saturday. Our thanks, and the special title of "Jeeves", go to him for that, he really would make a fabulous butler. Thanks Dave.

Hero of the weekend award again goes to Dawn, who followed Steve up grade 5 ice in bendy boots and walking crampons, although she did admit to getting a bit tired after 40 metres of the crux pitch....but I notice that she still lead the top pitch up snow onto the summit!

This is not to take anything away from Sue, who at the tender age of.....well let's just say she's got her bus pass.....keeps following Phil up classic after classic in both the UK and abroad, well done to the pair of them.