STILL WINTER IN THE CAIRNGORMS

 

Fiacaill Coire Sneachda with fresh snow

I hope you all managed to enjoy last weeks sunshine. As forecasted the weather took a very large swing this week. Colder conditions with the winds from the North along with snow showers here in the Cairngorms. Of course having snow fall on the Scottish mountains at the end of April is not unusual at all. If you look back at my posts from February I stated that we will have Winter conditions at the end of this month. Today I took a wander up into the Northern Corries to see how much snow we have

Coire an t-sneachda 

A break in the clouds

There was sleet and snow showers at Glenmore this morning. The snow showers continued throughout the day. Snow was settling above 800m and at 900m it was definitely Winter conditions. Of course there is lots of old refrozen snow in all the corries and plateau. Something to be aware of if you're venturing out here. There's a hard icy layer under the fresh snow. Crampons a must!

The corrie floor

Rimed crags, Goat Track well banked up with snow

Fiacaill Buttress 

I walked into Coire an t-sneachda and then traversed under the Fiacaill Buttress,  a fine way to gain the Fiacaill Coire Sneachda ridge. The snow under the Buttress was well banked out with old snow and about ankle depth of fresh snow. Brilliant. The snowshowers were quite light and some clear spells in-between to enjoy the views!

Good depth of snow

Nearing the ridge

Rime ice

Plenty of rime ice on the rocks in the sub zero temperatures. The East Side of the ridge also has a lot of deep, fresh snow on top of the old snow. Fabulous. 

Coire an Lochain 

The ridge clearing

Icy ridge

A wonderful atmospheric ridge walk with the cloud coming and going. On the plateau it was poor visibility with the cloud down. Only a 30mph wind on the top, not quite enough to warrant the ski goggles but of course they are in the pack, along with all my other full winter gear. 

A snow covered plateau

Rime ice on 1141m

Cairn Gorm

The cloud lifted at 1141m. I hadn't seen anyone all day, apart from a couple of folk walking into Sneachda who seemed to be just dressed for a wee stroll in Summer. On the way back down the visibility improved and some nice views. 

More snowfall to come over the next few days,  right into early next week.  Low temperatures predominanting. Winter is definitely holding on in the Cairngorms.  

If you're wanting a day of skills or just a guided day out before Winter finishes then drop me a line.  My 'record' for a late winter course currently stands at 9th May. 

Rime ice

Fiacaill Buttress from 1141m

Fiacaill Coire Cas