UKC

Another wild week in the Highlands with wind speed of 114 mph recorded on Cairngorm again last night, but at least it has turned wintery again!

We had some new snow at the start of the week on strong South westerly winds, followed a quick thaw yesterday. Today saw a return to cold conditions with significant snow fall still on strong Sw winds. The Cairngorm ski road was closed all day due to drifting snow.

The crags are certainly very white, and there is likely to be some ice building after these fluctuating temperatures, although it will be a while yet until Mirror direct comes in!

The drifting snow will be starting to fill the gully lines, but they need a bit more yet before they match their guidebook descriptions.

Sustained windy forecast over the next ten days, averaging 50mph gusts on the tops, with some snowfall and some short freeze thaw temperatures. Make sure you keep an eye on the avalanche forecast. http://www.sais.gov.uk

http://stewartmountainskills.blogspot.co.uk/

A few photos from yesterday on the hill here:
http://stewartmountainskills.blogspot.co.uk/

After these were taken the freezing level rose to around 1000m, but quickly dropped agin by this morning, with fresh snow again today. This is all good news for conditions, the wind speeds are still gusting over 90mph though!

In reply to ian stewart:

Thanks. Useful info.

Another update from today:

http://stewartmountainskills.blogspot.co.uk/

Route choice was critical as there was a huge amount of snow being blown about, and a lot of unstable snow in large parts of the Coire. Climbing conditions good though, some nice neve and ice still building.

100mph winds forecast for the next three days though, so will have to be patient!

Have a good Christmas

In reply to ian stewart:

really good conditions and a great day found on the opening break on mess of pottage today. good ice and neve and weather was better than forecast, even saw the moon!

We went to Lurcher's Crag today with the aim of Central Gully but we were a bit slow walking in with the wind so instead climbed the ice fall (|||) at the north end of the crag to save time which is much shorter. The ice was ok but a bit thin with a bit of water about too, it was very windy but just about bearable. There was lots of snow coming down which was stripped off many slopes but piled into deep drifts elsewhere, unfortunately most of the snow we found was powder.

Hopefully the winds will die soon and I think we will have some good climbing.

Robert