For the past few days I’ve been up in the Cairngorms training with colleagues from Kendal Mountain Search and Rescue Team. Each year the team heads north to practice the skills needed to carry out efficient rescues in harsh winter conditions. The Cairngorms didn’t disappoint – although the visibility was largely good, the forecast 20mph winds were more like 60mph and the temperatures well below the zero mark. Great conditions to practice transceiver searches, rescue snow anchors and lowering techniques on steep technical winter ground.