BYNACK MORE IN FULL WINTER CONDITIONS

 

The summit ridge of Bynack More 

A top winter adventure on Bynack More today.

Stacey & Elise out for a day of winter mountain fun with Tarmachan MMountaineering. The Twin sisters are working there way through climbing all the Munros. This was their first true winter Munro in their collection. 

Snow at Aviemore this morning 

Glenmore

Lochain Uaine

Overnight snow to all levels and sub zero temperatures all day with constant snow showers but some wonderful bursts of bright sunshine. It was hard work breaking trail from the word go.

Breaking trail 

Winter wonderland 

Bursts of bright sunshine 

We saw no one on the hill all day, we had to break trail, there was powder snow to aankle depth  even on the tops. With light or no wind the snow on the ridgeline was just wonderful.

Axe and crampons 

Fabulous light and snow

Powder snow 

It felt like early season conditions with the deep snow at all levels and trail breaking. The visibility changed dramatically,  from very poor to bright bursts of sun. Marvellous. 

Snow showers and clear air

We eventually hot to the summit early afternoon and enjoyed the best views all day, the clouds cleared and sunny spells. We dropped down and visited the mountains finest feature,  The Barns of Bynack. 

The Barns of Bynack 

Fabulous 

What a view

These granite tors are the finest in the Cairngorms. Most folk don't actually visit them, being invisible from the summit and no path leasing to them.

We traversed back along the East Side of the mountain. More wonderful views and more sunshine mixed with snow showers. 

Heading back 

A distant Ben Avon

Savouring the winter landscapes 

Winter essentials 

A terrific day, great company and banter. Winter set to continue into April, as always of course. Long live winter.

FRESH SNOW, PTARMIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

 

Steve in action 

There was a dusting of snow down at Aviemore level this morning. A forecast of near constant snow and summit temperatures of minus 7 C on the Cairngorm tops. Winter returns with a blast! If you thought Spring had arrived on the high mountains just a few days ago then you were wrong. Winter continues until at least mid April. 

Steve was out with me on a Ptarmigan Photography Workshop in the Northern Cairngorms today. With a forecast of near constant snowfall it was looking doubtful we would even see, never mind Photograph any wildlife. We actually got plenty of good breaks in the cloud and some lovely bright spells inbetween the snow showers.

Fresh snow in Aviemore 

Steve is a keen landscape and wildlife photographer.  Today he was eager to capture the Ptarmigan before they loose their winter plumage. 

Fresh snow 

Rime ice

Cairn Gorm & Ciste Mhearad 

We had a couple of birds sighted earlier on in the day. We wandered around in the areas I know well and have been reliable for Ptarmigan sightings. 

Time to bag Cairn Gorm

Solid old down, crampons a must

We spotted a pair of Ptarmigan from our afternoon tea time

Tea time and ptarmigan spotting 

Ptarmigan hide

We perservered and got some nice time with a pair of Ptarmigan towards the end of th day. Ironically we spotted this pair whilst having an afternoon break in a snow shelter.

Big winter skills groups this season

Strath Nethy

Late afternoon sun 

Top day and welcome back to proper winter, as it should be in March. 

Ptarmigan images later.

Good breaks inbetween snow showers 

MOUNTAIN HARE PHOTOGRAPHY

 

He's still in his winter coat

Catching up with my recent mountain hare photos I took last week. A couple of days of Mountain Hare Photography workshops with clients last Monday and Sunday. We certainly couldn't have asked for finer weather conditions. Warm sun and no wind. My wonderful friend certainly posed nicely in the sunshine for us. He's still in his full winter pelage. They'll be changing soon into probably their most colourful period, when they are transitioning into Spring pelage. There are one of two around in other areas.

Enjoying the sun

The hares in the snow are the high altitude hares, at over 1200m in the Ben Macdui area. Now they really are the hardy ones.

This guy wasn't expecting me

At 1200m in a huge area of snow near Ben Macdui

If you would like to book on one of my workshops in April I have plenty of dates free.

Easter Mountain Hare, with snow? Looks like it.

This guy just starting to transform into Spring

A fine view of hare & Braeriach

A few other wildlife shots from last week. Spring is the time for wildlife.

They think it's Spring

Not so sure

If this beautiful bird was rare you'd have a paparazzi of photographers around it

BEN MACDUI & BACK TO WINTER

 

Cairn Toul & Sgor an Lochain Uaine 

Another beautiful day in the Cairngorms. I took advantage of the last calm, clear day and had a wander around the less frequented areas on the Macdui plateau.

Coire an t-sneachda 

Ben Macdui from Stag Rocks

There are some huge areas of snow on tthe Cairngorm - Macdui plateau above 1000m. Around 80% of the high ground is snow covered. Much colder the next few days with well below freezing on the tops and more ssnowfall. It was lovely and quiet, only a distant person now and again.

Shelter Stone Crag & Carn Etchachan 

Beinn Mheadhoin & Loch Etchachan 

Cairn Toul,  Sgor an Lochain Uaine  & Braeriach

Winter is definitely not over as we go into Winter's final month of April.

Twin Burns

After a hazy morning, the skies once again cleared up a bit. I filmed a couple of adorable Mountain Hares,  one which was way above 1100m.

Afternoon sun in Coire 

I 've plenty of available dates if you want a Winter adventure or some essential winter skills.

Twin Burns holding snow well