LESS WIND, MORE ICE, PTARMIGAN RETURN

The ptarmigan are back!

Coire an Lochain

The Lochain now frozen

Nice and wintery

Icy paths

Northern Corries

Shelter in the boulders

The Cairngorms have had a few days of stormy conditions. Winds in excess of 60mph for the last 3 days. Yesterday there was a temperature rise with rain up to 1000m. Sub zero temperatures last night and into today so great for the snowpack. This morning it was still breezy but only 40mph, so bearable. Some good visibility and even sunny spells this morning.
I was in the Coire hoping to photograph the ptarmigan. Their numbers have been very low recently but I did notice a flock of these wonderful birds in Coire an Lochain last Sunday. With the constant Southerly/SW high winds I was hoping they would come down to shelter, sure enough they have. Lovely to see and photograph. Once February comes along we'll get some sun into the Corries for some better lighting.
A calm and pleasant weekend coming up. Good conditions. Goes without saying, ice axe and crampons essential.