WINTER CONDITIONS IN MAY

 

Aonach Beag summit area, Saturday 

Winter weather and conditions can well extend into May in some years. 2021 is one of those. Cold, Northern and NE winds has brought snowfalls on the higher tops this last few days. A big contrast from only a week ago when it was a mini heatwave. This is no surprise, tge weather forecasts have predicted this for a while now. Being prepared for all weathers in the Scottish mountains is a necessary skill. Here's my blog from the last few days.

THURSDAY 29 APRIL

Near white out conditions high up on Cairn Gorm 

There's nothing like an early evening walk before dinner in a white out. We had a quick dash up Cairn Gorm. There had been snow showers right through the day. This on top of previous days. There were snow flurries at the Coire Cas carpark and the cloud was only just above 700m. We were soon walking in fresh snow up Windy Ridge.  By 1000m it was above ankle depth. Above tge Ptarmigan cafe the visibility deteriorated and almost white out at 1150m. A chilly breeze and a heavy snow shower on the descent. Almost reaching for the ski goggles again. 

Great stuff!

Poor visibility on the trade route

Weather Station on Cairn Gorm 

White out conditions 

SATURDAY 1 MAY

The final slopes onto Aonach Beag

Over in the West this weekend. A couple of days based in Fort William. We kicked off with Sonach Beag on Saturday. The 7th highest summit in the UK and holds snow well into Spring.  The finest walking route is from the Glen Nevis side.

Steall Meadow 

Steall Falls

The excellent South approaches to Aonach Beag 

It was a beautiful sunny morning and warm going up to Steall Falls. This is a popular short walk and in my opinion the finest half hour walk in the UK. Bank Holiday weekend you'd expect it busy but it wasn't too busy, despite the carpark being full, we got the last couple of spaces! After the falls we aw no one else all day until back at Steall Meadow.

Sgurr a Mhaim and Glen Nevis

Deserted from now on

Ben Nevis

Steep and pathless

There are a couple of nice, steep ridges that start climbing steeply onto Aonach Beag fine south ridge. It's a long way up but one of wonderful scenery and a feeling of wildness. Most folk tend to go up from the Northern ski area at Nevis Range, 'ticking off Aonach Mor enroute. This is the best way. For me the only way!

Snow showers along the ridge

Wonderful cornices!

Old snow - new snow

Graupal and poor visibility 

Above 900m we were in cloud and by 2pm a big shower of graupel descended upon us. Very little in the way of wind so it wasn't unpleasant. 

Final slopes on old snow

Nearly there 

You definitely needed this on the plateau area today

The summit area on Aonach Beag is a large dome, the summit cairn is tiny in Summer and sits right on the edge of a very large cliff with a very big drop. With full snow cover and poor visibility the map and compass are essential tools. We descended down the delightful ridge which passes by Raw Egg Buttress. Some careful navigation required here too. A big cliff if you get it wrong!

Aonach Beag summit 

A window through the clouds

Raw Egg Buttress 

It was a beautiful early evening back down at Steall Meadow. Some late brightness and lovely light. A fabulous day with great company and banter.

Early evening light 

Trailing Azaelia 

Panseys

Waterfalls above Glen Nevis 

Nevis Gorge

SUNDAY 2 MAY

Binnein Mor from Na Grugaichan 

Another beautiful sunny morning in Lochaber. We had a liesurley start for a day in the Mamores. This wonderful group of hills consists of many Munro summits and Munro Tops. We went up via a very infrequented route. A route that was mainly pathless above 400m. Just like all of many of my guided mountain days, I like to take folk to quieter places. Once again we saw no one shortly after leaving Kinlochleven and the Grey Mares Waterfall area.

Above Loch Leven

Steep and pathless

Am Bodach

A steep and pathless shoulder lead us quickly onto the final Southern ridge of Na Grugaichan. The sun had faded by mid-day with cloud cover. The cloud was above the tops so we got nice views. Another cold day, probably just above freezing on the top. A quick descent back down. 

South ridge looking towards Glencoe summits

Binnien Mor from the top

South ridge with Ben Nevis to the left

Na Grugaichans NW top, Ben Nevis & Aonach Beag 

Mamores Western Summits

A top weekend with wonderful company. Also managed a couple of pub nights, watching a fab sunset and a few coffees in a cafe and some new outdoor kit out of a shop. Do you remember doing all these 'normal' activities?

Best pub in town

Sunset in the glen