Continuing from the previous photos, here's
a zoomed in view to what I assume is Sgor an Lochain Uaine (hidden to the right) and Cairn Toul with the corrie of Lochan Uaine inbetween.
The low cloud and fact this was all new to me means I'm not 100% confident, if you know for sure feel free to let me know
Looking back over the empty white landscape towards Cairn Lochan as low cloud approaches.
The final leg of the walk to Ben Macdui's summit was all in the low cloud with very little visibility at all, but I put faith in the compass and eventually the trig point appeared.
To prove I was in the right place here's confirmation this is Ben Macdui, 1309 metres (4295 feet) above sea level. Photos on the net show this marker is on a waist high column, today it was at foot level thanks to the 3 feet deep level snow.
It also points out the many mountains to be seen from this superb view point, But not today...
Note the alternative spelling of Ben Macdhui.
A brief clearing in the cloud allowed this very quick glimpse of a view before all disappered again.
Ben Macdui also has a 2nd summit, North Top (1295 masl), just 1/4 of a mile or so to the north of the main summit. Now being the pedant I am I wanted to reach that too.
So a short blind stroll following the compass and arrived at this, the north top (I assume!). It was impossible to tell where the sky ended and the snowy ground begun.
Now to find my way back. There will actually be something to see in the rest of the photos, I promise...
Back down below the cloud with my way forward over the wide open spaces of the plateau. Cairn Gorm is the summit to the right.
The going was easy in my crampons across deep and hard frozen snow, much easier than it would have been over stones and boulders which lay beneath.
Looking north to Cairn Lochan.
A couple of cross country skiers make their way up to Ben Macdui against
the dramatic backdrop.
A zoomed in shot of Cairn Gorm with some impressive crags below.
Wide view back across the Lairig Ghru.
A zoomed in view to Braeriach.
Beinn Mheadhoin, and down below but out of sight is Loch Avon.
Looking back as the clouds follow me.
The view south east.
Looking down Coire Cas and the ski slopes leading back to the car park. Not having any skis it took me a while longer to walk round the edge of Cairn Gorm and then the footpath down the ridge on the right hand side.
Cloud closing in as I headed round the side of Cairn Gorm.
Finally back in the Coire Cas carpark to wait for the bus to Aviemore.
A little while later this is the view from my hotel room in Aviemore with late sunlight highlighting the tops of the Cairngorms. Now time to sample some of the products of the Cairngorm brewery.