Click on Thumbnail to view larger images. Click on Title for Image Index.
Coire Laogh Mor offers mellow or steep - take a direct route between the sections of Laogh Mor Return fencing for the easiest line.
Heading out from the top of the Ptarmigan Tow to access further out in Laogh Mor.
The West Wall from the East Wall into Laogh Mor.
Sun splitting the sky from the M2.
Start of a fantastic day, heading over to the Fiacaill Ridge Poma.
View across the Top Basin from the Ptarmigan Ridge.
Click on Thumbnail to view larger images. Click on Title for Image Index.
Displayed: Images 1 to 6 of 6
Report
Probably the day of the season (so far?) on CairnGorm Mountain, made so not just by the perfect weather and snow conditions but the shuttle bus running from Coire na Ciste for uplift rather than parking need.
This opened up a huge amount of terrain in and beyond Coire na Ciste with 2000ft of lift served vertical from the top of the Ptarmigan Tow to the Ciste Carpark. Riding to the Ciste Carpark is possible via the M2 and Aonach Ridge, the natural snowfields link out towards the crest of the Windy Ridge and a drainage channel and fencing above the Link Road to take you out to the Shuttle Bus stop or further up the Carpark via Rita's Ridge variant of this route.
The other route is via the Laogh Mor Return, the longest part fenced run on the mountain - but though fenced into and out of the natural snow fields on the Western flank of Coire Laogh Mor, it crosses beyond the Ski Patrol boundary at the top of Number 2 Gully on the East Wall. Much steeper lines can be found further out in the Coire, but this are can avalanche - beware with new snow and heavy drifting due Tuesday.
Further details from the reports in the Forum by Paul-M and WindyMiller who took today's photos.