WINTER IS NOT OVER!

 

Frozen snow, crampons essential 

It has to be said that February has been a very disappointing month so far with regards to snow cover and temperatures on the mountains of Scotland.  We've had consistently mild weather and very little snowfall for most of this month up to now.

Despite the lack of 'true' winter conditions we still have big areas of snow cover above 1000m here in the Cairngorms. The remaining snow has been icy and firm for some time now. Ice axe and crampons are a must if you are venturing out on the hills, along with the usual winter clothing. The gear I take out every day, even in these benign conditions, hasn't changed.  It is still winter!

One look at the usual social media Facebook groups you will no doubt see comments about 'winter is over', 'no crampons needed', 'Spring is here' and lots of other statements leaning towards summer like conditions on our mountains.  Without any doubt I can safely predict that the last days of February, the whole 4 weeks of March and at least the first 2 weeks of April we will have some brilliant, full on winter conditions. You heard it here! I say it every year. March is the finest month in the winter season.

Yesterday, Katarzyna & Chris were out with Tarmachan Mountaineering for a 1 day avalanche awareness workshop. Avalanche awareness and assessment forms a major part of your days planning. 

They are up from England for a week of climbing. They completed a winter skills last season and have booked some winter climbing days with a guide.

Refrozen, firm snow. Make sure your crampons are sharp!

We began over morning coffee at their accommodation,. looking at the Be Avalanche Aware app, the SAIS avalanche report and the weather forecast for the day. We spent the rest of the day on the hill relating the snow conditions with the avalanche forecast.

Avalanche reports and some tools

 Unfortunately there isn't much in the way of  'interesting' conditions at the moment with a LOW risk forecast across all aspects. Things will be changing by Wednesday though. Winter looks set to return with heavy snowfall and high winds.

What snow we have just now is firm and icy. Good, sharp crampons a must and good cramponing technique obligatory. 

Another benign weather day. Nice to come home dry mind you.

Even when we have a LOW risk forecast you should always read tge full report every day. Some key features at the moment are rockfall and possibly cornice collapses. 

Temperatures,  important on avalanche assessment 

I do love the diversity of my work. On Wednesday I'm off delivering a mountain hare photography workshop, the weekend it's winter skills and a winter navigation day and next week another avalanche awareness workshop.

Measuring slope angles

Winter continues. It hasn't gone away! It will be back with avengeance!