AFTER THE STORM, THE SNOW

Fresh snow on the Cairngorm plateau

Even a cornice forming

More snow over on Braeriach

Cairn Lochan

Cairn Gorm & Sneachda

Sheltered here

Coire an Lochan looking lovely in the sun

Point Five Gully & Fiacaill Buttress

Fingers Ridge

The cliffs of Coire an Lochain

Ben Macdui

Twin Burns

Yesterday saw the first storm of the season. Blowing up to 90mph on the summits in the Highlands. Storm'Ali' came and went overnight. I can't ever recall having to cancel a hill day for clients in mid September because of high winds. At Tarmachan Mountaineering we always try to be flexible, working around people's time and weather. Unfortunately my clients for Ben Nevis yesterday were heading back home to Canada today.  Shame as the winds eased right down by noon on Thursday and it was a beautiful afternoon in the Cairngorms.
This morning it was still blowing up to 60mph but the weather forecasts indicated an easing into the afternoon. I had a leisurely start, setting off at noon. The sun was out and the skies were blue. By the time I had arrived in Coire an lochan it was just a stiff breeze. Up on the plateau and there was hardly any wind really. A lovely and quiet stroll across the Northern Corries. There was some fresh snow above about 1050m and in the NE corries. A cool day on the summits but with the sun it was lovely. Only saw two folk all day after seeing lots of people coming back down to the car park as I was setting off. It's all about the timing! Check the forecasts. They're very accurate nowadays. The Met Office for Cairn Gorm today was just about spot on, hour by hour.
Of course a bit of snow in September IS| NOT the start of winter. No doubt we will have an heatwave in October before winter really starts on 1st November! Until then there are a few more wintry days to come over the weekend. Wrap up warm.