Sledge used in Cairngorm mountain rescue
Rescuers used a sledge to get an injured walker down off the hills to safety because high winds were considered too risky for an airlift.
Members of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, Cairngorm Ski Patrol and Glenmore Lodge Mountain Rescue Team went to man's aid on Friday afternoon.
He injured a leg in a fall in the Goat Track area of Coire an t-Sneachda.
Other members of his walking group were praised for their efforts keeping him warm in "appalling conditions".
The rescue teams first carried the injured man, who has not been named, on a stretcher, before placing him on a ski sledge to get him to the CairnGorm Mountain ski centre car park.
From there he was taken by ambulance to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
A spokesman for Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team said: "The injured gentleman was treated on site by members of his party who administered first aid and did a great job of keeping him warm in appalling conditions.
"Due to high winds, heavy snow and blizzard conditions the Mountain Rescue Teams elected to evacuate the gentleman by stretcher followed by a ski sledge back to the CairnGorm ski area car park, rather than requesting a search and rescue helicopter."