Saturday, April 24, 2010

Warm dry and sunny on the Tops

Looking toward Sneachda
Carn Etchachan, Shelterstone and Ben Macdui
The ridges of Fiacaill Coire an t Sneachda, Sron na Lairige and the Sgorans
Looking toward the Northern Corries from Cairngorm - Good snow-cover remains at plateau levels - heavy going in the new wet snow which is on the surface - but nonetheless a lovely day with good views at last.
Inverness Mountaineering Club members celebrating the clubs 60th year set of towards Coire an t Sneachda.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Blustery conditions

After Fridays glorious conditions today was a complete contrast. Strong winds with occasional snow showers made travel on skis a little more arduous!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Stunning conditions in the Highlands

Today's pit was dug East of the Great Slab in Lochain.
During the very warm period last weekend a large section avalanched at full depth on the slabs.

Looking across at the Lochain cliff tops.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Warm and sunny

A great day in the hills today. Many people were out and about enjoying the sunshine. Snow boarders head off for some off piste action

A telemark skier in Alladins Couloir

Great ski touring on the plateau

Shelter Stone crag and Etchachan.



Friday, April 09, 2010

Very mild conditions

Huge Cracks and crevasses have appeared on the Great slab in Lochain...it's only a matter of time...
Very mild conditions generally.
Sneachda today.

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Clear at last!

Coire an t Sneachda

Looking toward Bhein Avon from Ciste Mhearad
Cairngorm plateau with Ben Macdui, Cairntoul and Sgur an Lochain Uaine and sh 1176


The snowpack is stable and spring like on the plateau getting softer as you get lower into the corries, but generally the snowpack is well bonded and stable throughout.

Sunday, April 04, 2010

There is a lot of snow

And it just keeps snowing... This is the Ptarmigan bull wheel at the very top of the Cairngorm ski area. Some serious digging is needed to excavate the T bars!

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Snow showers cleared

It was a pea souper this morning but visibility improved during the afternoon... Looking down the Chais
Doing a tap test on a NW aspect at 1030m.
Measuring snowpack temperatures every 10cm. There is still a significant steep temperature gradient.



Friday, April 02, 2010

Sunshine with light winds

A great day in the Cairngorms today, with blue skies and light winds. The ski area was very busy but it was fairly quiet in the Northern Corries. Walking conditions are pretty hard going though unless snow shoes or ski's are used.
Heavy snow forecast for tomorrow, see the high cirrus clouds moving in...

Mess of Potage
Fiacaill Buttress

Alladins Buttress
Spey valley under a blanket of snow.