MORE CHANGABLE WEATHER & CONDITIONS

 

Descending off Ben Macdui yesterday

The last week in January has seen more changeable weather and snow conditions. One day of snow to low levels, cold and relative 'calm', the next day rain and wind. We've had some very different weather day by day. Just a typical winter really. Yesterday and on Monday I was running a winter skills course for Steven & Juliet. Just by pure chance they booked 2 days of great weather and conditions. That's the way it goes really. We've had another couple of named storms passing through, thankfully they were on my 'rest days'. 

Here's some images from the last week.

Poor weather, snow loss and difficult wildlife photography for Fabio

Last Thursday Fabio and Leana were on a Mountain Hare photography day. We had rescheduled it from 2 days previously because of the stormy conditions. Unfortunately this was the only day they had left on their holiday from Italy. But we persevered and managed a few images in rain and wind.

Following day, same place!

It really is the luck of the draw. Only 24 hours later the temperatures had dropped, there was fresh snow above 500m and some terrific light for mountain hare photography.

Mo Charaid in the snow

More snow drifting

Another shake in a break from the drifting snow

There was still a stiff, cold breeze on Friday but my friend was posing nicely. The drifting snow covering him up so quickly. Waiting for the snow shake and yawning. Patience is the name of the game, even when it's well below freezing!

A break again

And another shake

Winter again, Friday

On Monday and Tuesday it was wonderful to be in the high Cairngorms in good weather and excellent snow. A warm spell over the weekend had wiped out much of the lower terrain but above 900m the snow was bullet hard after a drastic change in temperatures. A balmy 19 C was recorded at Kinlochewe on Sunday. Here in the Cairngorms the summit temperatures went from plus 5 C at Cairn Gorm summit to minus 5 C in the space of a few hours Sunday afternoon into the early hours of Monday. Perfect timing for Steven & Juliet on their course with me. 

Ben Macdui n full winter conditions, Monday

Coire an t-Sneachda. Monday

Snow loss lower down the mountain

Crampons essential!

We had a terrific day on Monday. There was solid snow and ice everywhere. Crampons essential, you wouldn't get far without them! There wasn't a breath of wind up high and some brightness later in the afternoon. Juliet & Steven have plenty of summer hillwalking experience and were looking for some skills to go out in the winter season.

Coire an t-sneachda, Monday

On Tuesday we decided on a good leg stretch over to Ben Macdui. After spending some more time in Coir an Lochain with axe and crampon technique we headed up on the plateau. Unfortunately the sun was replaced with cloud and the winds increased.

Perfect snow conditions

Cairngorm plateau, full winter conditions still above 900m

Coire an Lochain

Ben Macdui summit

We didn't get much in the way of views on our journey across the plateau but on the return the clouds lifted a bit in the gusty winds.

Afternoon sun & windier around Feithe Buidhe

Sun trying its best to peek through the cloud

A glimpse of Braerich

Another full day in crampons

Walking for a full 7 hours in crampons is tiring, especially on some easy angled terrain. In these conditions you would't get very far without crampons. Plenty of water ice around too. By the time we got back to the Lochan Buidhe area and over towards the top of the Goat Track the gusts of wind had got up to 50mph. 

Wind, sun & ice

Great snow cover

The Reindeer enjoying a snow free feed at 800m

A top couple of days and good conditions. The winds of this latest storm today ( Wednesday) are starting to ease again. Hopefully it will be more pleasant on the hills tomorrow. February is always the busiest time in winter for guiding and winter skills. I've only 4 free dates available in February.  Get them while you can!