FULL SNOW COVER & SUNSHINE

Sunshine and full snow cover

There hasn't been too many days this winter when we've enjoyed full snow cover, light winds and some lovely sunshine. Today was one of those rare delights.

The Boar of Badenoch

The Munros either side of the Drumochter Pass seem to get labelled from many hill goers has 'boring'. I never understand this. I think the 7 Munros in this area are wonderful in Spring time for their wealth of wildlife including Golden Plover, Ptarmigan and Mountain Hare. In winter with good snow cover they are beautiful hills and easy to walk being not particularly steep.

Good track to begin

We decided to walk up two of the Munros on the West side of the Drumochter Pass, Sgarnaich Mhor & Beinn Udelmain. You get a good head start from the top of the Drumochter Pass at over 400m in height.

The Sow of Atholl

There has been a lot of snow and wind over the last week or more and the hills in this area have a full cover of deep, unconsolidated snow. Hard work trail breaking everywhere in the Highlands at the minute. Thankfully there was a big party of 6 folk in front of us this morning doing a grand job of making the walking easier. I think I have done my fair share of trail breaking recently so I never felt I was 'cheating!'

Karen heading up Scarenaich Mhor

The early morning clouds soon had a few breaks in them and by mid morning we were treated to some fine spells of sunshine. Temperatures at the car were plus 2 C when we left. When we returned it was minus 1 C, has was forecast. With moderate to light winds it was beautiful temperatures to walk in.

Fine weather heading to Sgarenaich Mhor

Underfoot conditions improved with height and the walking became easier above 800m. The long easy slopes up to Sgarenaich Mhor were a delight.

Some sizable drifts even at 800m

With all this snow and high winds in recent weeks there are huge drifts even at lower altitudes. Some wonderful snow hole sites. The wonders of nature.

Looking East towards The Cairngorms 

Within 3 hours we were on our first Munro of Sgarenaich Mhor. There was some cloud coming over at this point and a very brief snow shower. The descent to our second objective is another very easy walk on easy angled terrain. Of course in poor weather then you need decent navigation skills in the featureless terrain that these hills provide.

The final slopes to the top

Summit

Easy descent 

The second of our Munros, Beinn Udelmain is also easy angled and quickly ascended. Some more beautiful views and sun as the clouds parted again. We had seen more than 10 Mountain Hare running up and across these high plateaux. What a wonderful sight. No big lens camera today unfortunately. So it was nice just to watch them and admire their speed.

More sun

Looking back to Sgarnaich Mhor

White out near the summit of Beinn Udelmain

The skies quickly changed again just as we approached the summit of Beinn Udelmain. This heralded the sign of a change in the weather. There was an increase in the wind and more snow showers . We quickly descended back to the glen that runs between the two hills. Unfortunately no one had been walking here recently so it was trail breaking back to the A9 and the car. By this point heavier snow showers moved in. The next named storm making its presence. Our last wonders of the day were even more Mountain  Hare and an Golden Eagle soaring above us. Fabulous.

Deep drifts on the track out

Last bit of blue sky

AN TEALLACH PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

The best views of An Teallach today

That beautiful image of An Teallach's Sgor Fiona & Corrag Buidhe seen from Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill is one of the finest panoramas in the Scottish mountains. The best time of day is dawn, like most landscape photography. Raphael was keen to come out with me to hopefully capture this stunning image. Raphael came on a 1 day winter course last year and was keen to combine another winter guided day with some landscape photography.

The snowy drive over to Dundonnell 

I met up with Raphael on Wednesday afternoon in Ullapool. He lives in North Uist so a long journey over. We had already shelved this da way back at the beginning of February. One of those many named storms put pay to any day of photography back then. Rescheduled to end of February and I was free for 3 days so we had a choice for the best possible weather day.

Snow to sea level

We looked at weather sites all the way up to the final evening before setting off. Unfortunately the reasonable forecast for Thursday had changed somewhat. With the NW airflow the North West Highlands were in for the snowiest, least clear sky conditions. There was just a small period of 1 in 3 chance of some brightness by late morning. We decided to give it a try and set off for Dundonnell to camp overnight on Wednesday. There was fresh snowfall down to around 100m and by the time we arrived at Little Loch Broom it had lowered to sea level.

Shin to knee deep fresh snow

After a breezy and snowy night under canvas we set off early morning.  If it was to be any chance of a good sunrise then our plan was for an Alpine 3am start. As it was unlikely we set off at a more normal 8am. From the word go it was hard work trail breaking in soft snow. Some big drifts above 200m making progress very slow and tiring. On top of this we had limited views and constant snow showers throughout the morning, some of these were bouts of graupal.

The North side of Ghlas Meall Mor looking icy

It took us double normal time to wade up to around 850m beside the Allt a' Mhuillin. We made a decision to bin the day. Probably the deciding factor was whiteout conditions at this point and a strong wind. An Teallach would have to wait another day.

We turned tail and headed back to Dundonnell. Of course we just reached the road when some sunshine came through a break in the cloud. Were we cheated? Driving back over the Destitution road we saw we were not! The grand view of An Teallach from the high point of the Braemore to Gairloch road was absent. We sighed a relief. Nothing worse than conditions improving after binning a day.

Our scenic highpoint

The Destitution road and An Teallach 

The Western Fannaichs

An Teallach will always be there, as they say. With these snowy, cold conditions continuing well into March then we still have plenty of opportunity for a winter sunrise. Watch this space.

SNOWSHOEING ON BEN MACDUI

Showshoe heaven

 Day two on Steve & Marina's winter course with Tarmachan Mountaineering. We had a fabulous day on Sunday but today was something special. With a full cover of deep snow across much of the Highlands we decided on snowshoes for our day on Ben Macdui.

The way to go

Ready for action

There's probably only a handful of days in winter where snowshoes are a great choice. A typical Scottish mountain day will undoubtedly have varied snow conditions. Soft snow, ice, rocks, bare ground, etc. The conditions today were just perfect. Full snow cover from start to finish.

Deep snow 

 Cairn Gorm

We set off from a busy Coire Cas carpark.  Plenty of folk out walking, climbing, ski touring and snowshoeing. The drive up to the carpark was in itself a wonderful spectacle. Snow covered trees and a reflection in Loch Morlich. We could have had a lovely time just wandering around in the Pines. But Macdui beckond.

Snowy Caledonian Pines 

Burns filled in

We made excellent progress up Lurchers Ridge. Some great views and the burn crossing from Coire an Lochain is well  buried in snow. A joy. The blue skies and sun were a welcome surprise. Most forecasts stated overcast conditions.

Brilliant conditions 

Across the plateau was beautiful snow. By early afternoon the cloud was lowering and views of the Braeriach to Cairn Toul plateau were absent. Still brilliant afternoon.

Lairig Ghru

Macdui Plateau 

Fleeting glimpses of Braeriach 

We made good time onto the summit of Ben Macdui. Sadly no views but a great achievement for Marina and Steve. Steve said he wouldn't fancy walking across the plateau in rough weather. Enough said!

Ben Macdui

Atmospheric descent

Quieter on the way down

We decided to return the same route. S & M have a long journey home back to Penrith after the walk. A quick descent gave wonderful glimpses of the hills, super late afternoon light and atmospheric clouds.

Cloudscapes 

Beautiful light

Coire an Lochain

Nice and quiet final hour back to the carpark. A memorable snow show day and probably the best snow cover, sunshine and light since November! It's nice to get days like this after so many wild, cloudy days this winter. We had hardly any wind. An absolute pleasure.  Eating pic nic style on the hills and savouring the views with wonderful snow underfoot. More please.

Coire an Lochain

Here's one I made earlier

Drifts at low altitudes

Late  afternoon light

On a final note. Steve and Marina had originally booked Monday and Tuesday of this week for the two days out with me. We rescheduled the Monday  to Sunday because of the high winds forecast. Tarmachan Mountaineering always tryst to be flexible around weather. Another reason on choosing a smaller company for your winter (or summer) course. 

CALM, ICY AND BUSY

Steve enjoying the fab snow

Nice to have a calmer day occasionally,  especially this winter which has been almost constant high winds and gales. There was snow on the ground at Aviemore this morning and a beautiful sunny, crisp morning. Return client Steve and his partner Marina out for two days of winter fun.

Beautiful and busy walk in

It was a busy day on the hill. Coire Cas carpark almost full. Lots of skiers, walkers and climbers. The walk into Coire an t-sneachda was very busy with large groups. A good trail had been forged through so very easy walking and the upper section was wonderfully icy, wind scoured after the last couple of windy days.

Good snowcover and blue skies

All the boulder fieldsboulder up at the Lochans are well snowed up and a joy to walk over. We went through some basic boot, axe and crampon techniques in the morning.  Lots of climbers in the Mess of Pottage.

Icy snow, great for cutting steps

Mess of Pottage 

After a bite to eat in calm winds, we headed up towards Windy Col. Some amazing snow all the way up. Firm snow and not too icy for novices. Perfect really. Despite large numbers of groups we found plenty of space and lovely conditions. The winds were higher towards the plateau but easily bearable.

Fab snow into the coire

Brilliant snow towards Windy Col

Up on the plateau it was a tad wilder and poor visibility. We headed over to bag Cairn Gorm summit. On the way up the winds weren't too bad and more wonderful icy conditions. We had the Munro summit to ourselves.

Climbers on the Mess of Pottage

Poor visibility on the plateau 

You'll definitely need these at the moment 

A great day and great company. Finished off with a hot chocolate in Glenmore.

Cairn Gorm

Northern Corries