WET PANTS & WHITEOUT

 

Steve & Chris on the summit

Chris & Steve out on their second day with me.

A challenging day on A'Calliach in the Monadhliath today. Constant rain and winds from the word go. Paths and tracks very wet. Above 500m the rain turned to snow, the winds increased. Whiteout conditions above 800m. Constant snowfall above 600m. Great conditions for Steve to get some winter navigation ( the no.1 skill) with map and compass of course.

Steve on the map and compass 

We took a meandering route to an unfrequented side of A'Cailleach. Steve doing a great job on featureless terrain, in strong winds and poor visibility. The final 40 minutes to the summit were whiteout for much of the time.

Whiteout and strong winds

It was a challenge to touch the summit cairn. I measure a 'quality ' winter day on clothing I use. Today I went through 3 pairs of mountaineering gloves and had a thick belay jacket on the descent. Ski goggles on from 600m upwards, frozen up by the time we descended. Lots of deep snow to contend with, post holing through drifts and a struggle to hold a compass bearing in cross winds.

Good day to test the gear

A top day out! 

Needless to say we saw no one all day.

A great couple of days with two top guys.

Tarmachan Mountaineering

LOOKING GOOD

 

Coire an Lochain 

Valued and gold medalist for my longest return client, Chris and brother Steve were back out for another 2 day winter course again this year. Chris first came on one of my Winter skills courses in 2010 and has been out every year with me since (apart from last year). It's the third time for Steve.

With a not so promising weather forecast in the Cairngorms ( wind related of course) we chose to stay in the corries rather than a day on the mountain tops. It turned out super, some lovely bright spells and cloud above the tops most of the day. We were we sheltered in Coire am Lochain. Lovely and quiet too. Plenty of excellent snow with variable conditions from deep post holing, breakable crust, to ice to neve. We covered lots of ground and movement on various terrain.

Good snow cover

Frozen turf

Some brilliant moments of sun

Good here

More blue skies

N ICE

Windy up there

Out of the wind

Down

MOUNTAIN HARE PHOTOGRAPHY

Spot the beautiful hare

Naomi & Richard were out with me today on a Mountain photography workshop. We set off up the track in light rain and strong winds. By 550m the rain turned to sleet. The cloud was down and poor visibility. Not looking great conditions for photography. But never give up, or more importantly trust good weather forecasts. They got it spot on today.

Cloud break,  sun's out

Fabulous 

There was still a strong, cold wind but this gradually easd has the afternoon progressed. No one around, no pesky ski tourers with dogs running about, out of control ( they must only come out on calm days?) We had the place to ourselves. Just us and the beautiful Mountain Hares. 

With my friends 

Lunch beside the hares

Fabulous sunshine 

We spent over an hour with 'My friend'. This wee guy is so friendly and definitely knows me by now. I've spent a good chunk of this winter photographing him. Today he was dug into the deep snow for shelter from the winds. He certainly wasn't in no hurry to go anywhere,  anytime. Eventually we draged ourselves away and strolled down the track which only had our footprints in from earlier in the day. The fair weather tourers must have been in the gear shops buying the latest yellow ski touring trousers and drinking coffee? 😉

A top day with wonderful company. Naomi & Richard couldn't get over how close you can see these gorgeous creatures.  With some fieldcraft and knowledge,  of course. 

Busy with guiding for many weeks ahead. Will post some hares when I get a chance to process them.

3pm light

WINDS ARE BACK

 

Finding a sheltered place

Yesterday's beautiful calm and sunny conditions didn't last long. Today the Northern Cairngorms were treated to strong, gusty winds high up. Father & son team Paul and Ben were out with me on a one day introduction to winter. They were keen to walk up Ben Macdui but one look at the weather forecast soon put that one to rest. So we headed into a busy Coire an t-sneachda to get some essential winter skills.

Plenty of teams out

A well trodden trench into Sneachda 

The usual school half term holiday crowds were heading into the UKs most popular winter climbing venue. Our choice today too. A good trench with plenty of footfall makes life easier. We also wanted some shelter from the high winds.

Plenty of sun in the morning 

Deep snow

We didn't go too high up

We managed to get some steep ground into the day. Main topics were avalanche awareness and coping in high winds, kit requirements and route planning. 

Essentials

Less windy here

We found some less windy areas in the Moraines which we could cope in. The boys were happy to get lots out of the day in these conditions, their first taste of Scottish winter hillwalking and especially the Cairngorm breezes. 

The Moraines

Windy clouds

A RARE BLUEBIRD DAY

 

Fabulous conditions for photography 

There have been very few clear skies, sunny, windless and complete snow cover mountain days this season. So it was with absolute joy to savour today, it was one of those rare days. Return clients Michelle and Phil were back out to photograph our beautiful mountain hares. They booked one day. They chose a cracker.

Minus 3 in Strathspey this morning 

What a contrast this morning. A clear, cold and bright sunshine start to yesterday's constant snowfall. The huge dump of snow had certainly transformed the landscape. We set off through snow clad woodland and up the hill. It was tough walking in the deep and drifted unconsolidated snow.

It was hard work breaking trail up to the mountain hares. No pain, no gain. With stunning scenery and a true winter wonderland then every ounce of effort was worth it.

Views to die for

Bluebird day

Mountain Hare!

I soon spotted one of my friends sitting in his snow hollow. Within minutes he very kindly let us into his world. A world of sublime beauty and a equally harsh place for these amazing creatures. Today that environment was a sunny, calm and serene one. For over 2 hours we sat photographing this wonderful creature.  

Phil.getting some great angles

What a place 

Can you spot him?

A fabulous day with lovely company. 

All change again tomorrow. 

Back to wind, cloud and variable temperatures. 

Mountain Hare pics later.

STORM DUDLEY

 

Beautiful afternoon sun and snow

Three days ago mountain forecasts were suggesting wind speeds on the Cairngorm summits in excess of 80mph on Wednesday and 100mph on Thursday. I did have a client booked on a course for these days. We had a chat and he decided to reschedule. So I was a bit miffed to see hardly anything wind wise yesterday and today only around 60mph on the Cairngorms. The storm obviously tract further south. So that left me with a day off today. I had a wander up the Monadhliath to check out the sun and snow.

The only footprints were of Mountain Hares 

Beautiful conditions 

The fresh snow was down to about 350m on the Monadhliath. I was surprised to be the only person walking up today. No other footprints.  Even though I had a late start.

Good cover

Drifts

Snow drifting in the strong winds

Above 500m there was some drifting and some beautiful snow sculptured sastrugi and other wonderful snow and wind creations. At 600m a stronger wind of around 40mph. A 30 minute snow shower came through. This was coupled with the heavy drying snow and gave some poor visibility for a time.

Snow transportation in strong winds 

More wonderful sculptured snow

Deep drifts

It was just fab being out alone amongst some wonderful snow conditions. The sun was very welcome too. A lot more snow to come tomorrow. Get ready for some snow ploughing again, I mean with your legs. :)

Storm Dudley? No, not here. Storm Eunice? Erm, no not here. We'll see tomorrow.