Bridge of Orchy, 17th Feb 2013

After weeks of powerful winds and often little or no visibility it was great to finally get a decent forecast, suggesting a break in the weather leading to a period of alpine conditions. We were a bit disappointed then to drive into Glen Orchy and find it enveloped in a cold pocket of low cloud. Nonetheless, as the day drew on it turned out we were - eventually - in for a treat that would also bode well for next week's much-anticipated trip, to Ling Hut in Torridon...

The sun shining through cloud above Beinn Dorain (James Simpkins)

Glenmore, 10th Feb 2013

Off we went to Glenmore, 15 walkers and 9 intending to do some skiing or snowboarding. High winds seemed to be a given on trips at this point, and we anticipated it, but the reality was certainly worse than the forecast and it was fairly unpleasant even at the lower Cairn Gorm car park. Early on, the plans still seemed realistic though. It was, needless to say, not a great day for photography.

About as good as it got: something like -16 in the 40-50mph+ winds (Paul Crawford)

Braedownie Hut, Glen Clova, 1st - 3rd Feb 2013

A small party set off for the weekend to Glen Clova, staying in the Carn Dearg Mountaineering Club's hut, Braedownie. The weather was good but windy, and we had the added excitement of an exploding oven to spice things up.

View from near Mayar, Glen Clova (Paul Crawford)

Winter Skills Meet, Glenshee, 27th Jan 2013

The annual DURC Winter Skills Meet is an opportunity for members to practise winter basics, including fitting and walking in crampons, the use of an ice axe, avalanche awareness and navigation. As always, club members don't act as guides or leaders, but the more experienced folk on the trip aim to pass on some of what they know in an informal way.

This year DURC headed once more to Glenshee. Deep, powdery snow, strong winds and often little or no visibility were the order of the day, despite some occasional views early on, and conditions deteriorated sharply in the afternoon. Most of us ended up pushing on to the top of Glas Maol before beating a retreat.

The morning afforded some fine views over the Glenshee hills (James Simpkins)

Glen Feshie, 8th Dec 2012

This was the last official trip of 2012 for the club, to the impressive wild glen east of Kingussie. Due to exams and folk departing for the Christmas holiday there were just seven signed up, and as a group it was decided to head up Carn Ban Mor, on the way to the Munro Sgor Gaoith.

Low cloud was the theme of the day (Paul Crawford)