NEW YEAR HILL

Cloudscapes over Glenfeshie hills

Cloud above Aviemore

Looking west along Strathspey

Craigellachie at dusk

Temperature Inversion below Meall a' Bhuachaille

Icy Lochan Dubh

Icy paths above the cloud

Distant Sgor Gaoithe

Aviemore New Year Fireworks

It's a bit of a tradition to go for a walk on New Years Day. All that over indulgence and too much alcohol the day before, what better way to feel healthy again. Beats signing up for a gym membership! It was a beautiful morning in Aviemore and Strathspey. A calm day with bright sunshine and a temperature Inversion. The main Cairngorm hills will still covered in cloud but Meall a' Bhuachaille's 3 tops and the Glenfeshie hills were peeping out above some fantastic cloudscapes. Great views from Craigellachie's main view point summit. A popular wee hill and rightly so. For very little effort you get a fantastic panaroma of the Northern Cairngorm mountains. The streets and pavements of  Aviemore were treacherous all day today. The local council must be saving the grit for winter :) . The well trodden path up Craigellachie was even icier with water ice across the upper section above the trees. Water ice al over the path and some of the best ice all winter so far. A pair of crampons or spike was the order of the day. If you're thinking of a stroll up here next few days I would advise on suitable footwear! It felt lovely sitting in the sun and not a breath of wind.
A very Happy New Year to all family, friends and of course my amazing wife who finished her 'Dipathon Challenge' at midnight yesterday, swimming into the New Year at the River Spey. A great end to 31 days of consecutive swimming in the icy lochs and rivers. If you would like to donate please visit her Justgiving page.