UNSETTLED BUT PLENTY SNOW

 

A spell of unsettled weather over the last few days. A lot of cloud on the high Cairngorms and bouts of strong winds. Milder temperatures but still hovering around freezing point on the highest Cairngorm summits. I took a wander into Coire an Lochain this morning. Forecast was for a dry day with the possibility of a bit of sun.

Clear skies over Strathspey from the word go but the strong Southerly winds always creates a cloud cap over the Northern corries. I was looking for Ptarmigan to photograph today but without much luck. Coire an Lochain use to be a virtual guaranteed area to see plenty of these wonderful birds but lucky to spot one or two now and again over the last couple of winters.

Despite warm temperatures last few days the snow line is still around 800m. A cooler night was hopeful for the snowpack to freeze and consolidate. It was still ankle deep plunging terrain up to 950m and tiring coupled with the strong head winds. Going through any boulderfields is ankle breaking potential if you're going too fast! 

Only saw 2 folk up ahead of me near the Twin Burns. No wildlife today but nice to be out in winter conditions.