First winter route of the season

Yesterday gave me a chance to get out to the hills for a route to make the most of the current conditions.  After changing my original plan of heading out on Monday I was alone in my endeavour (boo to those of you in Monday to Friday jobs!).

Lochnagar was on the cards with no real set plan of action as I didn't know what to expect with regards to conditions.  I left the Spittal of Glen Muik car park at 08:50 in minus six degrees after a wee nap in the car to boost the enthusiasm/energy.

Everything was frozen en-route and the view of the corrie was very enticing as the hillsides were plastered and rimed.

I made a break for Central Buttress (III) having only seen one other pair of climbers heading for the Cathedral area and one man and his dog walking towards the summit.  Having climbed Central Buttress before on a number of occasions I mixed things up a little by heading to some technical ground to get the body moving as it should from the previous week's abuse of long journeys and comp setting.

Topping out threw me from calm windless climbing to the forecast howling wind and spindrift for later in the day.  As you may agree hanging about was not an option.  A brisk walk back saw me down at the carpark a mere five hours after leaving.

To Ballater and the bakers!