winter — Blog — Katie Tabner

After the long awaited snow fall of this year, it was time to get out and play in the hills. A friend was up for the weekend but the weather wasn't promising a cloud free summit. On the Saturday morning, we woke to giant snowflakes falling heavily onto the pristine landscape. It was looking a little sketchy. A slow drive down the A9 to Aviemore revealed more promising conditions although it was cloudy as we parked up at Glenmore Visitor Centre ready for our wintry walk.

*The path from Glenmore Lodge towards Ryvoan Pass, Cairngorms National Park*

As we marched out along the path from Glenmore to Ryvoan Pass, the landscape was spectacular. Walking out of the valley, the surrounding mountains became more visible as the clouds lifted. The path was busy with walkers, cross country skiers and on the nearby slopes, a few skiers. We reached Ryvoan Bothy and started the climb up towards the summit. Deep footprints were readily visible as we trudged uphill in the snow. It was hard going; the pace quickened to get free of two families who were relatively unprepared for winter conditions. Climbing higher, our packs felt heavy with crampons, hot flasks and spare winter gear weighing down. The push felt good and much needed after a difficult few weeks.

*Smiles all round as the cloud lifts and blue skies show us the way...*

As the path weaved up the hillside, we trudged onwards as the visibility improved. We started at approximately 370m altitude so the climb to the summit wasn't hard but tough going under the deep snow. Favouring my ice axe for stability, we moved quickly as we eyed the summit cairn and headed for our lunch spot.

*A slow trudge up the slopes of Meall a Bhuchaille...*

High up on the summit of Meall a Bhuchaille, we had wonderful views of the surrounding Cairngorms. The winter landscape was pristine, the wind however was ripping hard as we took shelter briefly at the summit cairn. As a couple ski touring arrived at the summit, making quite a crowd, a quick decision was made to head over the top and follow the route down towards Glenmore and have some lunch in the shelter of the westerly slopes. The views of Loch Morlich as we descended were stunning; it looked so different from above, surrounded by snow.

As we headed back to Glenmore Visitor centre through the forest, we had thoughts of cake and hot chocolate. A brilliant day all round.

Just 72 hours later, winter had vanished. The snow had melted quickly at the house and as Reuben and I headed to Aviemore, we were in for a surprise. Arriving at the car park, it was clear the snow had parted company with the trees and paths, leaving quite a different trail before us.

*Reuben looking back..... "....where's the snow??...."*

*A summit selfie without the snow......should've ditched the ice axe!*

The walk today was a completely different landscape but entirely spectacular. Water was rushing off the hills and flooding the fields, plants flourished again without the weight of the snowpack. Birds chirped as their meals became more visible. It was an amazing day and more so for the difference 72 hours had made. We look forward to our next trip to the summit and what that may bring.

It has been a mild start to the coldest of seasons. Scarcely a frost on show, Christmas and New Year have passed and as mid-January approaches, we have finally been gifted the landscape of a white Winter wonderland.

Yesterday, a flurry of snow arrived in waves with wild winds blustering outside, rocking the house and sending the farmer's horses in the field running for some cover. By evening, there was a thick layering of powdery snow atop the cars outside - a sense of happiness all round.

By 6am, I was wide awake and sat in the study listening to the radio and peering out of the windows with a mug of hot hazelnut coffee. It's a full moon today and outside, as the cloud parted, the snow lit up magically by the moonlight. I crept outside in my dressing gown, feeling the soft crunch of fresh frozen snow underfoot. I am almost certain that I was more excited than Christmas morning but given recent events, you could forgive us for being happy about the sight of fresh snow.

I woke Reuben at 7am, thinking he was most likely to be almost awake. At the offer of coffee in bed, it was easy to turn on the lights and whisper (probably more loudly than that) about the snowfall overnight. We've been running on empty for a while now and adventures have been less easy to achieve; at least we feel there have been fewer in number and now was another chance to correct this.

Out the back door at 8am, we were making fresh tracks in the snow for our first morning trail run of 2017. We were both grinning and it felt like there was such a spring in our steps. Stopping often to just gaze at the pretty landscape, that itself was still waking up for the day and in darkness, we took photos and pressed on. As we crossed onto the trail proper, we crossed the train tracks just less than a few minutes before the train raced into Inverness. The roads were quieter than normal; commuters perhaps sticking to the A9 for safety.

After the track crossing, the path pops through some trees; we nickname this Narnia normally for it's reminiscent features. This morning, though darker, it truly felt like we were in a magical world. As we exited the trees and opened out onto the countryside behind, it was just amazing. Down another path, we followed a line of trees looking underfoot at the footsteps of earlier four-legged visitors who had stolen fresh tracks ahead of us. Looking up, we spotted a deer chasing through the open country looking for a place to hide. It crossed, finally, a few metres ahead of us into the trees, hidden for now in forest.

As we ran on, the weather closed in and more snow started blustering around our chilly faces and making our legs yearn for the warmth of home. And for breakfast! It's hard working running in the cold, minus climate on an empty stomach. Turning back from this addition to our usual circuit, we continued our journey through the snowy terrain. The sunrise wasn't the main wonder this morning; more so was the beauty of the trees, lochans and paths as the dark turned into light. The run home was even more beautiful for seeing the snow in the pristine conditions of this January morning as we continued to make fresh tracks home.

It wasn't a quick run. It wasn't fast. But I can happily sit in our study looking out at the snowy field, watching nature play it's course, smug in the knowledge I have achieved my daily goal already and can now relax and enjoy the rest of the day and all it has to offer.