We left the very spring like carpark just as the stags were stirring, and headed into the mighty Lochnagar.
We were a little bit surprised how much snow there was.
If fact, we were a lot bit surprised how much snow there was.
As always in Queenie's corrie we never got onto the route we had planned to do, but instead opted for Shadow Buttress A - "A first class mountaineering route and a good choice for strong parties in poor conditions".
The crux of the day wasn't the 'notorious' crux as the guide book described but the drive back down the glen road.
So... no winter tyres, no snow chains and no shovel.
What do you do when the van doesn't get up the hill?
Well, you send Di out who throws car mats under the tyres for traction.
1 hour later - 6 miles done.
A monumental 7 hours for Glen Muick car park to Grantown on Spey - a new record!
Oh, and don't ask what conditions are like in the corrie - never saw a bloomin thing all day :)