In reply to RedEd:
> Is it common to abseil to access winter climbs, and if so are anchors in place?
It's a fairly common approach, at least at certain venues, especially in high avalanche conditions. Initial anchors are rarely in place, subsequent anchors, if required, sometimes will be.
Abseiling into Aonach Mor is very common. The abseil is from a snow bollard if avoiding a cornice in the gully. However if abseiling down further North, the first abseil is generally from the fence posts down the snow slope to large boulders where there is sometimes rope or slings in place. Subsequent abseil anchors were generally in place last Winter, either from spikes or at belays stances such as the first stance on Left Twin (III).
Abseiling down Faicaill Buttress in Cairn Gorm - Stob Coire an t-Sneachda to climb The Seam (IV 5) is a good option when the approach slopes are too dangerous. Similarly, routes on No 4 Buttress in Cairn Gorm - Cairn Lochan can be approached by abseil, often down the line of Fallout Corner (Winter) (VI 7).
As with Aonach Mor, No match for crag id:16730 is often approached by abseil, either down the approach gully or directly down the route.
> Is there a standard practice for creating an anchor? taking a dead man, snow stakes, making a snow bollard etc?
In the cases I've mentioned above in the Cairngorms the abseils are all from obvious boulders. As such, all that is needed is large slings and/or abseil tat. In many cases you'll remove it climbing back out but if leaving tat in place it is good practice to leave something relatively substantial (7mm upwards) and remove any old stuff rather than just add to it.
Post edited at 13:26