The Runnel – winter climbing

One of the popular lower-grade gully climbs in the northern cores of the Cairngorms is The Runnel in winter. It lies towards the right-hand end of the main climbing areas in Coire an-t Sneachda, on Fluted Buttress. A little further to the right lies the Goat Track. This is both an easy ascent or descent from the climbs – and an avalanche blackspot.

The Runnel in winter (Grade II, ***) is a typical steep snow/ice gully with no particularly difficult sections, although it does narrow to a more exciting chimney just before the end. In good weather, the views from the climb are spectacular.

Get in touch if you’d like to know about Scottish winter climbing or having the winter mountain skills to recognise and avoid avalanche dangers.