TEMPERATURE INVERSIONS, WINTER SKILLS & WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

 

Snow shelters are fun

What an absolutely amazing last few days. We have gone through an heatwave and a fair amount of snow loss but we can rejoice in some beautiful days here in the Cairngorms. Last week the temperatures rocketed to well above freezing level on the high summits. Recently we've had windless days on the tops of the hills due to a massive high pressure system stuck slap bang over Scotland. This can produce some brilliant conditions. Often with this set up we can get temperature inversions. This is when  cold air sinks into the glens with clear skies and warm air above the top of the cloud. Hence the (correct) name given to this wonderful weather phenomina. The much milder temperatures have melted away a lot of snow. Don't panic! From Monday it will return back to proper winter with temperatures well below freezing on the summits.  Here's my guiding and playing over the last few day.

WEDNESDAY 15 DECEMBER 

A beautiful sunny day up with the Mountain Hares in the Monadhliath. Light winds and warm sun. Much snow loss below 900m.

Great hour or so with this one

Nice backdrop

Licking lips

Some great moments with several hares. The sun was low of course so shadows can be a problem in these conditions. There was a gorgeous moon on the descent off the hill.

Cairngorms with less snow!

sundown

Handwarmin

Another backdrop 

Moonlight descent

THURSDAY 16 DECEMBER 

Today was the first day on a 2 day winter skills course for 6 guys who are all friends & students at St. Andrews University in Fife. None had any previous winter experience. We set off into the Northern Corries where there is still enough snow to get lots of vital winter hillwalking skills in.

Boot and axe skills 

No crampons required 

Coire an t-sneachda 

The guys on Cairn Gorm 

Snow hunting

In the morning we did lots of axe and boot techniques,  making our way up to the Cairngorm plateau and to Cairn Gorm. After late lunch we headed into Ciste Mhearad for some axe arrests and emergency shelters.

Snow shelters 

Fun in the snow

Axe arrests 

Sliding at dusk

We headed out just as the sun was sinking and some amazing cloudscapes with beautiful colours in the skies. 

Looking south to Derry Cairngorm 

Lovely walking

Axe arrests at dusk

Fab colours 

What a brilliant end to the guys first day out!

Thr golden hour 

What skies!

Stunning 

Moonlight walking 

FRIDAY 17 DECEMBER 

Day 2 for the guys. We had a temperature inversion today. Much colder and frosty in Aviemore, whilst on the Cairngorms we basked in sun and clear skies all day. Despite the hills being above freezing most of the night the snowpack was solid. This is due to sublimation. The science of snow! How wonderful. We decided to go into Coire an Lochain this morning. 

Crampons on

Frozen snow

In the sun

The guys were all eager to get the crampons on today. Superb condtions for them. We were soon on the plateau and into sunshine. Down to just a couple of layers now.

Superb

Cairngorm plateau 

Some step cutting with boots

We linked up all the large areas of snow as we made our way across the plateau and beside the Feithe Buidhe area. Some huge areas of snow holding on. Brilliant conditions. 

Feithe Buidhe and Macdui in the distance 

Stunning light

Finest views

Loch A'an almost frozen

We had lunch at the finest viewpoint in the Cairngorms and returned via Coire Domhain, Stob Coire an t-sneachda and 1141m.

Crampons on again 

Fabulous afternoon light

Winter light

Golden hour

Another Moonlight descent back to Coire Cas. Absolutely fabulous. A great couple of days with these guys. We never got a Cairngorm storm, no blizzards and no whiteouts. You can't have everything!

Moonrise

Coire an t-sneachda 

Belt of Venus and full moon

SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER 

I was running a wildlife photography workshop for fellow BAIML members (British Association of International Mountain Leaders) this is our governing body for IML's. Part of our qualification is regular CPD throughout our professional career. CPD is brilliant and always good to learn new skills or update standard core skills. When taking groups into the mountains the environment and wildlife in areas we operate is essential knowledge to pass onto our groups. It not just bagging summits or 'challenges'!

IML's George,  David & Fiona

Camera action

Golden hour

4 IMLs attended my workshop. George, Fiona, Alastair & David all have extensive worldwide and Scottish mountain knowledge with many years of group experience. They are also keen wildlife and landscape photographers. We had some good banter inbetween the search for wildlife. It wasn't until late afternoon and the 'Golden Hour ' that we had our finest moments. One wonderful Ptarmigan was sitting pretty, just for us. :)

Ptarmigan 

Gorgeous light

Golden hour

We sat or stood for an hour with just one ptarmigan. It was wonderful watching the light change to that beautiful pink tinge on the snow, rocks and ptarmigan. The Ptarmigans plumage took on a lovely colour in the ever changing light. Fabulous. 

Pink Cairngorm granite

Pink everywhere 

The Belt of Venus and a full moon

The Alpenglow faded as the Belt of Venus colouring in the December sky became more intense. Another beautiful full moon rose into the night sky. A fabulous end to the day. 

Looking East

Cairn Toul

Strathspey 

Heading home over Cairn Gorm 

Sunset

Moonrise