WINTER RETURNS

 

Sheltering from the cold

What a wonderful sight and feel to see fresh snow falling and below freezing temperatures on your face today. After a very long spell of mild, way above freezing temperatures we have at last gone back into what January should be.

Today I was running a Winter skills course for 5 members of the Edinburgh Young Walkers Club. All new to the winter hills. The storms from the previous days had abated and it was a calm morning in the Cairngorms. The forecast for gales to return again in the afternoon. 

Step cutting 

Crampons 

Despite a lack of snow lower down the hill we were soon cutting steps and cramponing on ribbons of hard, refrozen snow just above Coire Cas. 

Shelted area

Something steeper

Above 900m there was rime ice and a sprinkling of fresh snow. Brilliant. We headed over to Ciste Mhearad,  a reliable spot for old snow and sheltered from the Southerly winds.

Luncheon in comfort 

Good here

Some great conditions for cramponing and even a comfortable snow shelter for lunchtime.  In the afternoon we finished off with some sliding.

Great snow

Great fun

Harry off exploring 

Ice axe arresting 

On our way off the hill the winds had increased and a steady snowfall by 3.30pm. Windy Ridge certainly lived up to its name. It was gusting at 60mph e en at 800m. A splattering of snow at Coire Cas carpark. 

Top day with really nice folk.

WILD CAMPING, WILD WEATHER

Coire Gharbhlach above Glen Feshie 

The Winter season always dictates what we do and where we venture. This is even more so in the Cairngorms. Average winds speeds in excess of 80mph on the summits is not unusual, indeed they can be a regular occurance. 

Isobel and Tom had booked a 2 day winter backpacking trip back in October. An idyllic walk up to the Cairngorm plateau in a wonderful covering of snow, pitching the tent under a clear sky with crisp temperatures and no wind may well have been the images imagined. On Friday and into Saturday the reality was very different! A forecast of over 90mph on the summits with limited snow cover was the reality! 

Plan B was in order.  A low level camp and then seeing what was  achievable in the afternoon.  We headed to the beautiful Glenfeshie.  After pitching the tent we headed up to the Munro summit of Mullach Clach a Bhlair. 

On the summit it was only around 30mph winds. The couples first Munro. We meandered down and back at the tents just before dark. 

Coire Gharbhlach 

Mullach Clach a Bhlair 

It was a breezy night/early morning but we were well sheltered in the beautiful forest. Since leaving civilisation the weather forecast had changed somewhat. Storm Malik had brewed up. Apparently it was in excess of 100mph on Cairn Gorm summit. We slept in a sheltered area, safe from the storm. Its all about the planning. 

Walking out

Sunny skies mid afternoon 

We were back at the carpark in Achlean by midday so time for a wee afternoon stroll without the big bags up to see the beautiful Mountain Hares. 

My friend inbetween the snow showers 

Clear skies at dusk

Whilst we stood and watched my friend at his form, we were pelted with snow showers and a stiff wind. Snow! Do you remember that? It was marvellous to feel.winter back in your face. Meanwhile my beautiful Mountain Hare just sat and watched 3 people stood in thick winter clothing as the snow showers stung their faces, looking curious. 

A top 2 days. I'm sure Isobel and Tom will be back. Hopefully with more snow.

LEAN & MEAN IN THE CAIRNGORMS

 

Excellent hard snow for cramponing 

No sign of real winter weather coming our way anytime soon. With a limited snowpack above 1000m in the Cairngorms and high winds on the summits it is a tough time all round for getting my groups out and skilled up. Knowing where the snow lies and in sheltered areas is key to getting a day of winter skills in. Today I was joined by Vivek, Kara, Melissa and Malcolm for an introduction to winter walking course. 

Limited snow but solid

Axe arresting is tough in these conditions 

Vivek enjoying his first taste of winter

It was a bright skies morning up in the Cairngorms.  Tempting to get up high but with windspeeds forecast to reach over 60mph we stayed in the shelter of the coire.

Sheltered and great cramponing snow

Enjoying the winter conditions 

Good cramponing technique

Step cutting 

We managed to make the most of the available snow in our little part of the world. We only saw 2 other folk, Richard and his client out in the winds.

Snow tomorrow 😀

ANOTHER MOUNTAIN HARE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

 

A lovely nose scratch

My Mountain Hare Photography Workshops are really taking off this winter, despite the poor snow conditions. These beautiful animals are at their most adorable in their winter coats. Of course they are very vulnerable without the snow for cover and camouflage. 

Big job

Today Richard joined me for a day of photography and a beautiful setting on the hill. The weather was a bit dull and the cloud kept coming and going through the day. At times the cloud base was down to 650m. After a morning of wandering in thicker cloud we did get a much better afternoon for clarity of air and for the star of the show.

Richard getting some low angle shots

Dull conditions 

Sitting at his usual form

A cheeky tongue

We spent nearly 2 hours with my friend who I've been photographing for about 6 months now. A very confiding hare indeed. Alway at the same two forms so he is super reliable! It was getting quite dull around 3pm. Richard was more than happy with this wee fella giving us lots of photo opportunities including some nose scratching and head shaking.

Munch time

Definitely a boy

What a face

Another great day out with the Hares. Hopefully snow will return soon.

Hare and photographer

MULLACH CLACH A BHAIR

 

Snow only in sheltered hollows

Pamela was out with me on another guided Munro day here in the Cairngorms. The stagnant weather system is still with us. A cloudy day with less winds than on Saturday. The summit temperatures had dipped to just below freezing. Pamela hadn't been on Mullach Clach a Bhair above Glenfeshie so this was our Munro objective today. 

Beautiful Glenfeshie 

We set off at dawn from the beautiful Glenfeshie. This area is one of the biggest and most ambitious rewinding projects in Europe. If only the whole of Scotland had the same vision. But it is a start. A very welcome, forward thinking and enlightend estate.

The walk up to the plateau 

It's a beautiful path up to the high plateau from Achlean making quick progress to the tops. It was breezy but bearable. 

Lingering snow on NW aspects 

Cloud above 900m

Once we gained the plateau we were in cloud for the entire time on the long stretch to the summit of Mullach Clach a Bhair. 

Roads of ice

Easy walking on high altitude tracks

Stretches of hard snow 

The huge Moine Mor area is a unique place between Sgor Gaoithe and Mullach Clach a Bhair. In Spring and summer it is home to some wonderful wildlife. A great place for our ground nesting migratory birds. Today we saw a single snow Bunting near the summit and a solitary sheep! I think the sheep was lost? A strange place to see a wooly maggot, at over 1000m.

Snow bridges

Occasional patches of snow above 1000m

If it wasn't for the huge man made vehicle tracks that stretch for many kilometres, it would be a good navigation exercise to Mullach Clach a Bhair's unremarkable summit 'bump'. Then again, if it was 'normal' January snow cover then you would indeed be using your map and compass for much of the route on the high plateau.

A great couple of days with a regular client, maybe next time it will be proper winter conditions for Pamela.

BYNACK MORE

 

The Barns of Bynack 

Pamela has joined me this week for 2 days of guiding in the Cairngorms. A regular client who has racked up many Munros. The weekend was originally planned for the Torridon area. With a lack of snow and a poor weather forecast for the NW we switched to the Cairngorms. With a few Munros still to 'bag' in the National Park we decided on Bynack More today. 

Good views of Beinn a Bhuird 

A respite from the winds on the eastern aspect

Summit winds

We set off in very mild temperatures and headed onto the long plateau. It was breezy above 800m so we took.a sheltered route on the eastern side of the hill. Great views with the tops clear and much more pleasant away from the 40mph + winds.

Some snow on Eastern aspects 

The Barns of Bynack,  the finest feature of the hill

Out of the winds

After 'bagging' the summit we headed down to the Barns of Bynack. These huge granite tors are this mountains finest feature. Most folk never go to visit this brilliant lump of rock. No doubt because there is no path and they are hidden from view on the route to the summit. They miss a great feature. It's also a wonderful place for shelter from the winds!

No wind here

Fun place to visit

Back into the wind

In the snowfields surrounding the tors we spotted 4 Ptarmigan who were also Sheltering from the gales. We had spotted a individual earlier in the day.  Some great close ups but no camera today.

Spot the 4 Ptarmigan 

Sunny spells

Even windier on the return 

The winds seemed to have increased on our way down. Quite a gusty blast even at 700m. The lovely skies and sunshine made up for lack of snow. Temperatures lowering a tad tomorrow. Some snow would be nice. Please.