Climbing Fiacaill ridge

When Chris and I booked our first winter skills trip, flights were so cheap we booked a second trip for the next month in case we liked it. Naturally we loved it, and the next year did two trips again, and this year plan another two. A second trip so soon after the first helped us reinforce what we learnt on the course - rather than waiting another year before putting those skills in to practice.

We decided to hire a private guide for the first day - a great investment. We asked our instructor (Tim Oates) to help us progress our skills, learn some ropework, and ideally go some place photogenic. He suggested Fiacaill ridge - a grade II winter climb in the Cairngorms. Not too challenging, but plenty of interest and areas to test our skills.

Chris and our instructor walk along a path uphill. There’s small patches of snow in the distance, but the ground is otherwise brown and windswept. — Chris Natt ― 2017/03/11
1/1000s at f/1.8, 28mm, ISO 100, Nikon D800

Since our trip the month before, much of the snow had gone - a very different experience. The winds were low this day, which made the whole experience much easier. We’d hoped for more ice and rime on the ground, but weren’t lucky this time. Still, dry rocks are better than wet ones.

A long photo of several hikers in the distance walking along a snowy path on a mountain side. — 2017/03/11
1/3000s at f/4, 200mm, ISO 100, Nikon D800

Ed drinking from a vacuum flask, with snowy mountainside in the distance. He’s wearing full climbing gear - helmet, harness, rucksack. — Photo by Chris Natt.
Ed Horsford ― 2017/03/11
1/1600s at f/6.3, 20mm, ISO 200, Nikon D800

A photo taken facing along Fiacaill ridge. There’s climbers walking along various sections of it, with one in the foreground. — 2017/03/11
1/750s at f/4, 200mm, ISO 100, Nikon D800

Fiacaill seems a popular destination with climbers / mountaineers. There are tricky sections, but everything can be avoided if wanted - so you can pick what you want to tackle.

Chris and our instructor stand on a level section of Fiacaill ridge. There’s low cloud on the mountain, but some sunlight just breaking through. — Chris Natt ― 2017/03/11
1/8000s at f/1.8, 28mm, ISO 100, Nikon D800

Our instructor gets placing climbing equipment on the edge of an overhang on Fiacaill ridge. — 2017/03/11
1/1500s at f/1.8, 28mm, ISO 100, Nikon D800

Chris takes a big step out on to an exposed section of Fiacaill ridge. His axe is in a crack providing support. — 2017/03/11
1/1500s at f/1.8, 28mm, ISO 100, Nikon D800

This was probably the most nerve-wracking bit of the day - a very exposed step. There’s probably a 500ft drop down the side. Tim made sure we were completely safe - but that does little to quell the fear. This is also where axes come in so handy - a ready made handle to help you take that big step.

A macro photo of climbing gear on our instructor’s harness. Chris is visible in the background. — Chris Natt ― 2017/03/11
1/1500s at f/1.8, 28mm, ISO 100, Nikon D800

Chris and Ed stand at the top of Fiacaill ridge. The ground is mostly snowy with patches of brown. — Chris Natt, Ed Horsford ― 2017/03/11
1/640s at f/6.3, 20mm, ISO 200, Nikon D800

Photo of the backs of Chris and our instructor. Our instructor is pointing downhill with a ski pole. There’s dramatic lighting in the sky - sunlight in the foreground and ominous dark clouds in the background. There are patches of snow on the ground. — Chris Natt ― 2017/03/11
1/6000s at f/1.8, 28mm, ISO 100, Nikon D800

Long shot of several ski mountaineers in a valley. They have skied to the end of the snow, and are now packing up their gear. — 2017/03/11
1/400s at f/4, 190mm, ISO 140, Nikon D800

Facing straight on to a large orange sign in front of a cottage. The sign is written in large uppercase blue letters and reads ‘VIROL’. — 2017/03/11
1/60s at f/1.8, 28mm, ISO 100, Nikon D800

Our thanks to Tim for an enjoyable day that well matched our aspirations. I imagine we’ll attempt the ridge again on our own one day to see how far we’ve progressed.