TARMACHAN MOUNTAINEERING

COLD TURKEY

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:21:00 +0000

The superb clear skies we had over the last few days had been replaced by cloud to 700m today. After being spoiled with all the glorious sunshine and great views I was in the clouds today. I abandond going round the Carn Mor Dearg Arete and instead just went up to Carn Beag Dearg. The clouds did slowely part by late afternoon. There was a few light snow showers this morning and still a low freezing level which isn't helping firm up the snow. Great if you like skiing. Forecast is still for low freezing levels for at least another week.

WHITE CHRISTMAS

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Another fabulous day with clear skies and very little wind, in fact totally windless on the summit by mid day. Ben Nevis was deserted today, well at least for a wee while (why was that?). Not many days were you can stand at the summit with views like these and not a sole around and no footprints in the snow. The was a light wind first thing this morning with some drifted snow blowing. The Pony track is now well banked out and above 1000m it is completely buried. If venturing up here over the next few days then sound navigation skills will be needed as the skies won't always be like this! It was hard going again in the unconsolidated snow with only the occasional old, hard neve exposed. A couple of guys had just done Ledge Route when I was descending.

FANTASTIC WEATHER

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:24:00 +0000

What a glorious day again in the West Highlands. Paul and I were up on Aonach Beag today with no one in sight on this fantastic weather day. Paul 'escaped' the trappings of Christmas to catch a beautiful clear skies and no wind day with me today. It is still hard work trail breaking in the powder snow but in places there is wind blown areas were the excellent older hard snow is lying, admittidly most of the day was spent ploughing in deep snow, but hey on days like this it's worth every bit of sweat. Good excercise for those muscles too! We were rewarded with superb views all day, taking the route upo from Glen Nevis via the south tops and ridges. The falls at Steal are almost in condition, one or two more days and the ice should be formed. This is the third time this week up Aonach Beag-you can never tire of this route with days like this.

Merry Christmas!

SUNSHINE & SNOW

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:29:00 +0000

Cintia and I had a great day out on Sgurr a' Mhaim in the Mamores today. It was another cold day with clear skies to the west and no wind at all on the summit. It was another day of trail breaking in the deep powder snow and hard work, time was getting on for the Devils Ridge so instead we headed down some steep ground to the west of Stob a'Choire Mhail. Avoiding any avalanche slopes by staying on the boulder strewn terrain which has some good old snow cementing it all together. Great wee coire this with a nice view of Stob Ban all the way down. It was -6 degrees when we got down to the glen just before dark. This was Cintias last day with me and she was so lucky to get all this snow and cold weather over the last four days. Great preparation for her planned ascent of Aconcagua next year.

SNOW PLOUGHING

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:14:00 +0000

It turned out to be a fine day today despite a forecast of snow showers, the cloud lifted by mid morning and all the tops were clear. Cintia and I were on Aonach Beag concentrating most of the day on navigation. It was another day of heavy going as we ploughed through the deep unconsolidated snow, at all levels. The walk up through to Steall Meadow was probably the most beautiful I have ever seen it with snow covering all the trees and we saw no one all day. If the freeze continues the waterfall could well come into condition. Cold weather is set to continue for some time.

HEAVY GOING

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:52:00 +0000

Cintia and I were on day two of her winter skills course, concentrating on avalanche awareness/assessment and some more steep ground and route finding today. We headed over from Glen Nevis to some nice crags North of Castle Ridge. It was heavy going at all levels through the fresh snow this morning as we ploughed up to Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, which was covered in ice, and dropped down to The North side of Ben Nevis. There was ice forming even on the lower butresses at 700m and windslab was forming at this altitude too. It was another cold day with snow showers in the afternoon after a dry spell mid morning.

ALL WHITE NOW

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:52:00 +0000

A lot of snow fell to low levels today here in The Highlands and it was a wildish day on Aonach Mor with a strong and very cold NW. Cintia is out with me for the next four days on a winter skills course. Cintia has come over from Brazil and this is the very first time she has seen snow, never mind walking in the stuff! She coped well with the cold conditions, average winter temperature where she lives is plus 26 degrees centigrdae! Today we covered core winter skills, moveing on snow and ice, axe arrests and walking on some steeper ground. We where up on The Nid area, taking advantage of half price gondola fares today has it's Nevis Ranges' 20th Birthday, unfortunately all the free cake on offer had been gobbled up by the time we got back to the gondola this afternoon. Excellent mix of water ice, frozen snow and windslab today, perfect winter skills terrain. Much more snow is forecast over the next few days with constant snow showers to low levels, low temperatures and high winds. Brilliant!

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW. LET IT SNOW

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:29:00 +0000

Had a lazy start today, didn't roll out (literally- on the bike) the house till 9.30am and up Gle Nevis. No plan today but wandered up to Steall meadows then onto Aonach Beag. Before the summit plateau I spotted a nice shallow grade 1 gully on the South side of Stob Coire Bhealaich. On the approach there was a half hour snow shower but this eased off up the gully. The snow was excellent and with new deposits plus some rime ice on the crags it felt more Scottish than last weekends Alpine weather. The summit of Aonach Beag had poor visanbility, this is a great hill to hone your naviagtion skills. I descended down the excellent SW ridge when the clouds started to lift and great views down Glen Nevis and across to The Ben and CMD arete. Beautiful cloud formations, sun waining and superb snow underfoot, what more could you ask for? A bike ride in the dark down the glen, silent part from the odd owl.

MAMORES ON THE WAY HOME

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:57:00 +0000

Yet another stunning day in The Highlands. Freezing at all levels overnight and snow conditions still the same-everything white frozen. It looked like a bank of high level cloud was going to spoil the light today but by early afternoon the cloud disappeared and beautiful sun light again with no wind. Some great conditions on the Mamores, most snow on Southern aspects as gone but everywhere else the snow is superb. I traversed from Kinlochleven over Stob Coire Chairn, Am Bodach and Sgorr an Iubhair and home to The Fort. Could be some fresh snow to lower levels tomorrow then a nice day again on Tuesday as the high pressure dominates through most of the week it seems.

ANOTHER ALPINE DAY

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Another fantasticly clear day on The West coast again. Yvonne and I were in Glencoe and went up Broad Gully in Coire an Lochan. Snow conditions in this Grade 1 gully were superb, in fact they couldn't be much better. The sun shone all day and hardly a breeze on the tops. After sub zero temperatures overnight everything that was snow was frozen solid. We went up to Bidean and across to Stob Coire nan Beith. Unbelievably we counted at least 10 people in the fisrt hour walking up Coire an Lochan who were wearing bendy boots and carrying no axes/crampons-totally oblivious to the conditions they were heading into. Unfortunately when we got back to the carpark the mountain rescue were in action and tragically one person died in a accident today. Take care out there folks.

ALPINE DAYS AND ITS ONLY DECEMBER

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:24:00 +0000

It has been a fantastic day here in The Highlands. Clear skies above foggy glens. The overnight sub zero temperatures froze the snow pack at all levels and eas wonderful cramponing all day. I went up No. 4 Gully on Ben Nevis today, excellent covering of hard snow in Ciste Corrie and ice on the buttresses. The cornice is only small at the moment. Only a few climbers about so had the summit to myself. Very clear air and great views across to Cairngorms and Perthshire hills. Amazed to see a couple of folk wandering up the pony track on the descent. One guy at 800m at 1.40pm still wandering up carrying only a jacket in one hand and a fleece in the other! Looks like cold and clear days ahead for some time. So here's the question: Alpine peaks piercing blue skies for days or would you rather be Christmas shopping? Check out today's movies on YOUTUBE:

COLD & CLEAR DAYS AHAED

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:03:00 +0000

It was a dry, cold day with some high cloud as well as a layer of fog in the glens today. A big continental High pressure is edging over the country bringing cold and clear conditions for some days to come. The top of The Ben was in cloud today but the Mamores were clear of cloud and still holding snow high up. The next few days should firm up the snow pack nicely with day time freezing levels gradually dropping. Gully lines should provide some good fun.

Have a look at the new formated reports from

Scottish Avalanche Information Service; which comes into action again on the 17th December

WRONG PLACE

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:15:00 +0000

Seems like I missed a cracker of a day last Friday with excellent snow cover and blue skies in the Cairngorms. I was down in The lake District still on the BAIML AGM weekend http://www.baiml.org/ and CPD workshops. The workshops I attended were IML rope work day and a day on wilderness mountain medicine. Now back in the Highlands and the snow is still on the higher tops with a wild day tomorrow then cold and dry forecast for a week! Should be good, get out there! The pic is on Red Screes just above Ambleside, a quick run up in the snow last Thursday.

NEVE IN THE LAKES?

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:13:00 +0000

Overnight sub zero temperatures in The Cumbrian Fells gave a clear bright start but the cloud soon crept in from the SW. The snow was getting well consolidated above 700m on Blencathra with lovely crisp snow underfoot. Not quite cramponing conditions but getting there. Another day of bitterly cold and strong Northerly winds. Good day to test out the winter clothing.

THE NORTH WIND DO BLOW....

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:10:00 +0000

A bitterly cold morning on the fells today with a strong Northerly wind blowing. Superb cloud formations in the morning and by afternnon a clear sky. Saw no one on the way up to Skiddaw, who said the Lakes was crowded?

ENGLISH SNOW

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:06:00 +0000

Winter as certainly hit the hills this weekend, even down in the Lake District. There was a light dusting of snow down to 700m. Looks like a cold, snowy few days to come in the Highlands too.

WINTER

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:32:00 +0000

Winter is definately here, with snow on the tops and some strong winds over the last few days. Sumit teperatures have dropped so safe to say winter is here.

I'm away from technology for the next few days but can be contacted via the mobile: 077 2000 1326.

Winter bookings are filling up with February getting busy.

FRESH SNOW

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:41:00 +0000

There had been a drop in temperature overnight and a fresh covering of snow down to 700m this morning. The rain/snow didn't arrive until afternoon and with the cloud quite high it looked a good day to be on the hills. Down in the Lake District next week. Places still free for navigation courses based in the North Lakes. Then it's off to BAIML AGM and CPD workshops at the beginning of December. Bookings have been coming in for Christmas winter skills/guided walking recently. Lets hope the weather cools down again after this tropical spell.

ALMOST THERE

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:07:00 +0000

A quiet day on Ben Nevis today. John was over from Australia and in between watching rugby matches he wanted to get up The Ben. Unfortunately his leg was playing up so we never managed to get to the summit. There was a break in the weather today and a dry, pleasant spell in the morning to early afternoon. Relatively mild weather as depleted the snow on the upper slopes.

LAZY HILL DAY

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:39:00 +0000

A very pleasant day again on the west coast with some sunshine by mid day. I had a lazy start and cycled up to Lundavra then walked up onto a very nice wee hill above Loch Leven - Tom Meadhoin. At only 621m its a shortish hill day and a good jaunt on days when the cloud is down on the higher hills, like it was today. Like all these smaller hills you are guaranteed not to see a soul, especially as I didn't go up the logical, shorter route from Loch Leven. Looks like a wild and wet day on Saturday then a much better day for Sunday. More snow above 1000m forecast so the highest summits will all have a covering of snow.

FOUR PLAY ON BEN NEVIS

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:25:00 +0000

It was another calm, quiet day here in the West Highlands with another cold night. I was getting the most of the snow on Ben Nevis and went up No. 4 Gully on the North face. This is a straightforward grade 1 winter climb and is usually well trodden but today I saw was no one in the Ciste Coire nor in the gully. It was a bit Bouldery lower in the corrie with patchy snow from 950m but half way up the gully there was excellent amounts of snow. There is ice forming on the buttresses but no ice in the gully as the freezing level was around 1100m today. A lot of snow now on the plateau and the pony track is, in places, banked with drifted snow. Poor visibility at 1000m but it was sunny below this altitude and a very pleasant descent. The path is icy in places after being well trodden. There was folk still ascending the pony track in all kinds of attire, the usual 'no rucksack brigade' being the most popular way up and someone sporting a nice pair of multi coloured wellies.

FROSTY

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:23:00 +0000

Another frosty over-night with temperatures below freezing at sea level again. A lovely bright and sunny morning but the thin cloud cover rolling in from the SW, heralding a weather front from the Atlantic. Should be more snow getting dumped on the highest summits tomorrow, Wednesday another good looking day to play out in the snow. The path over Cow Hill as been damaged by last week's torrential downpours, seems excessive that there are 'path closed' signs up.

MAMORES

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Another very nice day in The Highlands. Below freezing temperatures at sea level overnight so a frosty start. Yvonne & I were up on Stob Ban's North ridge and then over to Mullach Coirean. There was a light covering of snow above 800m but above 1000m on the higher hills there looks quite a deep covering. The temperatures rose during the day and it was quite mild by the time we returned to the glen. Another clear night tonight so freezing temps again and another clear morning tomorrow.

EARLY IGLOO ON MEAGAIDH

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:49:00 +0000

Another taste of winter today, Yvonne and I were up on Creag Meagaidh. It was definitely colder on the tops today and some compass work needed on the summit plateau getting across to the top of Stob Coire Puist Ardair in the cloud and lying snow. We were surprised to find a igloo ready made right at the summit. So we made use of the facilities and had a bite to eat out of the cold wind. The snow above 1000m was consolidating as the overnight temperatures had dropped to well below freezing. Saw flock of dozen ptarmigan as we headed down off the mountain. Looks like an excellent day tomorrow, enjoy the snow & sun!

WINTER ON BEN NEVIS

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk (Gary) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:14:00 +0000

A superb day of sunshine and very wintry looking mountains here on the west coast. Overnight precipitation had put down more snow above 900m and there was even some ice in places. Ben Nevis is looking brilliant at the moment and some winter climbing to be had no doubt. I was on Carn Mor Dearg today where there is an excellent covering of snow. The North Face and top car park were deserted bar one car at the NF, this is an excellent time to be on the hills, while everyone else is Christmas shopping. I sat for an hour at the summit, basking in the sun & snow. On the way down the cloud came in from the east and shrouded the summit, well timed. Could be more snow tomorrow as a another band of rain passes through with snow on the highest tops.