CALMER CONDITIONS, AT LAST

 

Blue skies and calm winds, Cairn Lochan

We've bben enjoying some calmer conditions in the Cairngorms over the last few days, at last! Temperatures have stayed well below freezing on the tops and some cold, frosty mornings in Strathspey. Great conditions to get up on the high tops and even some views with a bit of sunshine! The lower paths and trails have been icy and the snow above as also been frozen solid. Some serious runouts below 900m so careful footwork and locations for safe travel. It's now half term school holidays, the hills have been busy (as always this time in winter) but you can find some peaceful areas if you want! Ive ben running more winter skills trips with total beginners. Here's some images from 11 - 14 february.

Steep ground in a safe runout, Ciste Mheard

Firm, well trodden snow

Blue skies and snow shelters

On the tops and enjoying no winds!

Perfect snow

Rime ice

Climbers descending The Couloir

Blue skies and sun

Perfect cramponing snow

Nice views

Axe and crampon techniques

The Cairngorms and beautiful snow foreground

Some light drifting

Light and shade on windslab

Busy down in Sneachda

The last of the sun

Cairn Gorm summit in rime

Finding solitude, late afternoon

HALF WAY POINT IN WINTER

A well prepared group of mine in mid winter

 February marks the halfway point in the winter season. It does make me giggle every single year around this period. Folk on various social media channels claiming 'spring is just around the corner'. The snowdrops may well indeed be in flower down on the south coast of Englandshire, up here in The Highlands it is full winter conditions, usually. The snow is once again lying outside in my garden at Aviemore as I type this blog. Winter finishes around the end of April in these parts. 

It's been yet another unsettled spell of weather. It's been almost constant high winds in the Cairngorms. We've also had some unseasonably mild temperatures to go with it, but it's still only halfway into winter! We did have very limited snow above 900m last week but (thankfully) the very cold and snow has now returned. Full on winter conditions yesterday, even at lower altitudes. 

The last 10 days I've had a few 2 day winter courses running. We've struggled in high winds and poor visibility. It's all part of the winter game. Calmer conditions prevailed on Thursday & Friday and things are looking much calmer next week. 

Here's a few images from early February with groups on the hill.

Steve & Euan on icy snow

Sheltering from the high winds

Coire an t-Sneachda ( 1st February)

My team of 6 Irish guys on a 2 day course, good navigation skills required

A tight squeeze in the group shelter - these are vital bits of kit everyone should carry

Snow, wind and poor visibility on Sgor Gaoithe

Calmer conditions at last

High winds are back!

No wind in this snow shelter!

Fresh snow, blue skies and no wind!

Frozen snow and turf & rime ice returns

Tom & James enjoying the calmer winds

Afternoon cuppa in the sun at 1000m

Sharp crampons essential the last 2 weeks

A grand view from this mountain hare's form

Very low temperatures and snow at Aviemore level on Thursday & Friday

No wind and below freezing for beautiful surface hoar crystals to form