Avalanche debris

Avalanche debris in Coire and Sneachda between Mess of Potage and Alladins Couloir. Time of avalanche uncertain but it may well have happened the night before during the temperature rise.

 Hard going underfoot with a combination of strong winds and punchy thawing snow

 A clear moment looking into Sneachda.... The Goat Trak seen on the right was mostly obscured by drifting snow from the SW winds.

Another stormy day

Sorry no blog photo today.   Conditions were very poor, so instead here is some light education pointing out some of the things to avoid when travelling in the hills this winter. 

Calm before the storm

A corniced edge on a North-East aspect at 1080m

 Clouds starting to build and some light drifting as another storm looms.... 

  The weather quickly changed in true Cairngorm style!  One hour later there were  fierce gale force winds and white out conditions from the spindrift.

A calmer day

A much calmer day after yesterdays storm 

Very dramatic looking cornices above Jacobs Ladder  

      Although some areas are very wind scoured and bare in places there is a good cover of firm snow above 600 metres.

White out conditions above 750m

Heavy drifting at 855m in the very strong winds

   The 3 photo's were taken over a 15 min period    

 Goodbye Stanley dog

         Thanks to my very tolerant Mountaineering assistant and dog, although buried under a mound of spindrift they both survived and had a nice hot shower to go back to!

Gusty winds

Large cornice developing on the E side of Fiacaill a Choire Chais

General snow cover improving,  with a breakable crust after last nights thaw freeze cycle

Windy, Drifting, Deep Unstable Windslab !

Windcap over the Northern Corries

Strong winds continue, with drifting of snow - some deep unstable windslab on wind sheltered aspects.
A very weak layer of soft snow underlies the hard windslab - this has been found in many locations at about 40-50cm depth at 950 m level on W through N to NE aspects. This was the snow that fell in fairly calm conditions on the 30 Dec. !

A Party get a respite from the wind nr the Fiachail Coire an t Sneachda

A glimpse toward the Spey Valley whilst approaching Coire an Lochain

Strong SE winds, Severe drifting

Looking toward Coire na Ciste and Coire Cas - As good as it gets !

A very windy day with persistent snowfall and heavy drifting above 800m - windslab lies on top of  the soft snow layer of Monday making for a weak snowpack in places on West through North to East aspects. Gusting over 70 on tops around midday.

Poor Visibility Day - New Snow

In Coire an t Sneachda with Alladins Buttress in the background.

The snowpack is becoming more stable due to the fluctuating temperatures helping the various layers bond together. New snow fall with strong winds will change the picture somewhat, creating areas of unstable windslab on many aspects.

A clear day

   At last good views with lighter winds;  This is looking towards Aladdins Buttress, cornices overhang the corrie top.

Coire an Lochain; light drifting at this level.

The Goat track and Fiacaill Buttress.

  

Evidence of Ptarmigan having a sleep over in this drift.

lighter snow showers with strong winds.

 Very strong WSW winds above 1000 metres today.  This is the Fiacaill a Choire Chais ridge.  Drifted    snow has been piling in on N to W aspects.  Recent loose snow avalanche debris was observed       below the steep NE facing slope of the Coire rim.

The wind is back

Cold with drifting snow above 950 metres

Milder conditions at lower altitudes with soft wet snow

Calm weather for a change

Travel on Ski's can be fun if you pick your route

Interesting ski descents - a mixture of soft and hard wind slab with a hard crusty surface in exposed areas.

A rare moment of sunshine

Conditions were so pleasant that we even had time to stop for a  boxing day chat

Happy Christmas from Northern Cairngorm

A glimpse of Coire an Lochain between heavy snow showers

At 650 metres, strong winds with blizzard conditions

Snow piling in during heavy snow showers

                Thawing snow with "pin wheels" indicating surface instabilities on a North aspect at 550m

Storm force winds with heavy snowfall above 350m

Clear spells between prolonged heavy snowfall, winds in excess of 100mph over the tops

Punchy underfoot at 650 metres after last nights brief thaw.

A small avalanche in Ciste Gilly at 570m on a West aspect.  This will have happened during the night in the milder spell.

Storm Force Southerly winds and Blizzards

Looking toward Lurchers Burn area from Loch Morlich

Very poor viz above 600 m , a lot of drifting in Southerly winds - knee to waist deep where the snow lies - Unstable wind slab accumulations on most Northerly slopes as can be seen in photo.

Deep drifts developing

    Snow showers during the morning but these became more prolonged during the afternoon with     heavy drifting and white out conditions

A brief thaw followed by new snow with drifting

Avalanche debris from yesterday with an impressive crown wall on a North  aspect at 1095 metres.

Moody conditions with brief glimpses of winter sunshine and snow showers

Deep drifts in lee areas

Unsettled weather continues.

      Views into the Northern Corries.

     Extensive windslab on N to E aspects

    Deep drifts on lee slopes, scoured in wind exposed areas.

Windy and Mild

Northern Corries from Loch Morlich

A wind cowl hangs over the plateau indicating very strong winds !