A DUSTING OF SNOW AND COLD TEMPERATURES

 

Frozen grasses at 1000m

This time of year it only requires a shift in the air mass direction for the high mountains to get some snow and sub zero temperatures. Overnight Thursday and into Friday we went from a balmy plus 5 degrees C  to minus 4 C on the tops of the high Cairngorms. A NW airflow from the Arctic the culprit, thank you! Clear, cold air yesterday and some wonderful sunshine in the middle of the day was a wonderful reminder on the skin that winter is not far away. Sadly it will go warmer tomorrow so short lived but the end of next week looks like it will get colder again. 

On Saturday I headed over to Ben Macdui. Lovely clear views and several layers on whilst photographing the spectacular view from near the summit,  the finest view of the Cairn Toul - Braeriach plateau. It looks very unlikely that the Sphix snow patch in Braeriachs Garbh Choire Mor will survive this year.

Fresh snow above 1000m

The wonderful panorama from (near) the summit of Ben Macdui

It's been breezy & cold

It clouded over by mid afternoon and slightly milder summit temperatures. Very quiet on the hills, if you stay away from the main paths. The finest views are nearly always away from main drags up to the two Munros of Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui. Get an OS map and look what's on offer! :)

Deep freeze bilberries

Wonders of nature

Even more beauty, just look close and stop going for your PB up a Munro :)

Rime ice

High and wild

Old snow/new snow - The Sphinx, the last remaining snow patch in the Cairngorms

On Sunday I headed up towards Cairn Gorm, avoiding paths as much as possible. I was on the search for Ptarmigan.

More ice wonders

Looking across to Beinn Meadhoin

Another cold, sub zero temperatures above about 1100m. The sun finally came through by early afternoon. I heard that wonderful croaking sound in the still, cold air. Right behind me a fine pair of Ptarmigan amongst the rimed grasses making a great backdrop for photographing these amazing birds. They are just starting to transform into their winter plumage

Ptarmigan amongst the rime ice

Winter not far away

Looking forward to winter now. The finest time of year! My winter bookings have been slowly filling up, especially weekends so don't leave it too late. It is looking like folk are very keen to get back into the winter mountains after last years restrictions on travel. All details of my courses on my website.