FINAL FIACAILL FLING FOR 2017

A wind scoured Fiacaill Ridge

Relatively calm here

Only a breeze across the narrow bit

Rime blasted

Some ice and compacted snow, at last

Not many folk out today

Cornices forming, Jacob's Ladder

This came in handy today

...and these!

To end 2017 it was a final romp over the Fiacaill Coire Sneachda Ridge today. Storm Dylan didn't reach the Cairngorms or most of The Highlands although it was a tad breezy. Not too hard going into Sneachda or onto the foot of the ridge. Halfway up and the winds were around 50mph. Snow blowing and snow showers throughout. Saw one couple backing off and heading down and another pair in front. They were the only folk I saw out on the hill all day. The winds had either died down on the upper section, or it was just sheltered. The steeper sections of the ridge were nicely wind scoured and the ledges had good compacted , hard snow so the going a lot easier than recently. On the plateau it was almost calm and good to get a bite to eat here. All the way back along the plateau there was hardly any wind, until Windy Col. Very apt today. At this point the wind was at it's strongest it had been all day. Challenging conditions from here over to 1141m and down the Chais ridge. Poor visibility all the way. Map, compass and goggles. As soon as I was down to the ski area it was calm and tranquillity again. A fab blast and a great way to end 2017.
Happy New Year!