BUMPER EARLY SNOW

 

Coire an t-sneachda on Saturday 

After Friday's storms and heavy snow it was great to get up into the Cairngorms and see what conditions were like. With the first snows down to Aviemore level this season and over 24 hrs of snowfall it was never going to be an easy ride in the mountains. Fresh, deep snow equals hard work. A couple of days snow ploughing will set you up to get winter hill fit for sure! 

SATURDAY 27 NOVEMBER 

Christian and I had a great day out in Coire an t-sneachda. Christian runs his own guiding company on the west coast and it was good to have a fun day out with him inbetween work. He was keen to get a 'quality mountain day' as part of gaining his Winter Mountain Leader Award. We weren't expecting the ski road up to Coire Cas to be open so it was Shanksies Pony up the road, no doubt this will be the first of many this season. As soon as we left a deserted Coire Cas carpark it was hard going in the deep snow into Coire an t-sneachda. I was surprised how very little wind there was, the forecast was for 40mph + on the tops.

The walk up the ski road

Snowy Pines on the old road

Visibility at 800m

At 800m into Sneachda the visibility was poor. A bit of navigation required to get to the foot of Alladin's Buttress,  along with some deep plunging in soft snow. Eventually we got into the coire, taking much longer than usual of course. We saw no one at all apart from a small group earlier on who seemed to be heading up to the Fiacaill Coire Sneachda. 

Elevenses at the 1st aid box

Some avalanche assessment 

A major part of heading out in winter is avalanche awareness and assessment. With the early snowfall the SAIS has started up again for the season. Always plan your day around the weather and avalanche forecasts. We made our own avalanche assessment as usual in conjunction with the forecast. Satisfied with our safe  route choice we found some steep ground and iced rocks to have some fun on.

Icy fun

Christian on the ice

Wonderful nature

It was soon time to head back down. Darkness falls early nowadays. Always plan your route on the conditions and daylight hours. If you've plans for a big multi Munro day out in the current conditions you may want to scale back your aspirations. 

A snowy scene

Best of the sunshine today!

A snow covered,  deserted Coire Cas carpark late afternoon 

A top day out and wonderful fun in the snow. How can anyone not like winter?

SUNDAY 28 NOVEMBER 

I received a last minute winter skills enquiry from Francis on Saturday. He was keen to make the most of the snow before heading home. Completely new to winter hillwalking but plenty of rock climbing and surfing experience in his Cornwall home. We set off early doors and another walk up the ski road. It was busy today mind with a fair few folk  heading into the corries. Many climbing groups and the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team were also out on a training day. This gave us  bit of an easier ride into Coire an t-sneachda,  a big trench had quickly been made so much easier.

Out of the deep snow

Francis getting stuck into the wonderful scenery 

Another minus a lot C day

After some basic axe and boot techniques we looked at self arresting including the self belay. After lunch we made our way up to Windy Col. Francis led the way putting his new skills into action with some route finding on our way up to the plateau. There was hardly any ice about apart from on the crags and boulders so we didn't need crampons. 

Rimed up rocks

Good navigation required on the plateau 

Checking map and compass 

On the plateau the winds were only around 30mph so quite pleasant. Very poor visibility and high windchill.  We ran through some map and compass skills which were completely new to Francis. Thrown in at the deep end with some challenging visibility up to 1141m. 

Best view of the day

We made it

The wonders of map and compass.  Good stuff

Rimed up hair-doo

Stroll back down

It was still low cloud even back in the ski area. We reached the Coire Cas carpark which was now open and had a few cars parked up. We walked amongst the tourists who were wandering about, some in shorts and looking for a cafe or shop (closed) but there is a toilet open after your drive up.

Top day again and Francis now got a typical Scottish winter day under is belt. The first of many I am sure.

I've suddenly had a rash of winter bookings since storm Arwen came and went. Thank you 😊. 

FIRST OF THE WINTER STORMS

 

Beinn Avon & Beinn a Bhuird, Wednesday 

The first of this seasons snow storms arrived today across much of the Highlands. There is snow falling to Aviemore level along with high winds as I sit in the warmth of my house. Not a day for the hills today! Of course to get good winter conditions on the mountains we need a few stormy, snowy days. I was out on Wednesday and Thursday this week. 

WEDNESDAY 24 NOVEMBER

I set out for the Cairngorm plateau today. After a dry start there were some hefty snow showers on the Westerly winds. The ski goggles were donned for the first time this winter. There was a few bright spells but a lot of cloud. Poor visibility higher up.

Plumes of cloud over the Cairngorm plateau 

Above 1100m I needed these

Rime on Cairn Gorm weather station 

The freezing levels had dropped a notch, probably about minus 2 C on Cairn Gorm summit but feeling much colder in the 40mph winds. My camera was getting rimed up and the visibility was poor when any snow showers came through. 

Nature is wonderful 

Drifting snow and a bright spell

Shelter on Eastern aspects

Wind and rime ice

THURSDAY 25 NOVEMBER 

It's amazing the difference of a calmer day can make. With just a gentle 20mph in the Monadhliath and with a high cloudbase it made wildlife photography a joy today.

My friend sitting pretty

Some bright spells today 

Well sheltered in the heather 

The overnight snow had come to lower levels. A light dusting above 400m on the Monadhliath. It was a lovely morning to be out. I met one of the mountain hares I have been photographing since the summer. He is still in his transition stage of morphing into a white coat. I love the colours of their fur at this stage. There are a couple of other hares about who are almost completely white now.

Keeping a look out for each other

Licking his lips

Winter is here

I'm looking forward to another Winter with the hares. Last winter was exceptional for snow and for the amount of time I spent photographing these beautiful creatures. On average 4 days every week. I can't see me doing the same this winter as we are 'back to normal' after Covid travel restrictions. I've got a busy period ahead with lots of guiding,   winter skills courses and snow showing trips this coming season. My Mountain Hare photography workshops are getting popular and have a few of these running for Winter  2022.

Short days

Hare highway

First signs of the Storm 

Looking forward to seeing how much snow will be on the hills after the winds abate. Staying cold and snowy right through till at least mid week next week. A great start to winter.

I still have some of my Torridon Landscape calendars & Mountain Hare calendars. You can order via email or on my Facebook page. 

WINTER HAS ARRIVED NOW

 

Beinn Mheadhoin with fresh snow

I think it is safe to say that winter has arrived now. On Saturday evening and into Sunday there were strong winds and cold temperatures with snowfall. Today I headed up to the high Cairngorms to check out the conditions. Fresh snow down to 750m. Up on the plateau there is a good covering of snow with plenty of glorious rime ice plastered on the rocks. The temperature did rise slowly during the day. Forecast is to lower slightly so that should firm up the snowpack and even get some ice forming.

Staying cold midweek and much colder towards the end of the week with some good bouts of snowfall to come. This certainly marks the start of winter proper with sustained cold and snowfall. A good base for the coming season.

Bynack Mor

Glorious rime ice

Looking down Strath Nethy

Yesterday and Saturday I was over in the Monadhliath running a MountainHarePhotographyWorkshop. The beautiful Mountain Hares are well into full winter pelage. It was chilly with strong winds and poor light but my client got some great moments with the hares.

Almost there

This beauty is slightly behind her friend

Sheltering from the wind

On the Monadhliath yesterday the conditions were quite poor at 800m in deteriorating visibility. There was a strong wind up high. Wildlife photography was challenging. Hopefully the snow will come even lower by the weekend and keep these beautiful creatures safe.

A clear night and full moon on Saturday 

Monadhliath pines

Heavy showers on Saturday 

A few more photos from today. Don't forget the trickier navigation in winter :)

Rimed fencing in the ski area

These were required today in the cloudy spells

Rime ice, my favourite form.of snow