SAIS Southern Cairngorms

Last Post

2009-04-12T13:14:00.002Z

Just to let you know - today will be the last report for the 08/09 season.

Massive thanks are due to Grampian Police Mountain Rescue Team and Braemar Mountain Rescue Team who give the South Cairngorms avalanche forecasters fantastic support through the season by way of office space and base facilities and by their information, feedback and great photographs. We would not be able to operate in the way that we do if it wasn't for this support. Thanks folks!

Not a bad day!

2009-04-11T14:26:00.002Z

Looking across to Ben Macdui (on the left just in the cloud) with Sputan Dearg in front of it and Beinn Mheadhoin over to the right. No snow showers today just some lovely weather! It was fairly chilly if you were out early but the temperatures rose fairly steadily into positive figures by the middle of the day. The old snow has refrozen surface layers and is fairly firm and a little icy in places. However the sun is softening it again on South aspects - but it will stay a little firmer on shady North aspects.

There is the potential for some showers tomorrow, especially in the afternoon. They will fall as wet snow above 900 metres with the actual freezing level at 1200 metres. The winds are light (15mph) SW and we're not expecting much drifting of deposits. If the showers are on the heavy side there may be some build up on the aspects mentioned in the main report.

Snow then Rain!

2009-04-08T14:21:00.003Z

That's over 60cm of fresh snow there at 880 metres. There was no snow in that particular location yesterday. Some trail breaking was required in more sheltered locations today but generally new cover isn't excessive.
Heavy rain has been forecast for tomorrow with a 2500 metre freezing level so we are expecting recent deposits to be destabilised with avalanche activity likely in steeper sheltered locations. Winds are fairly strong tomorrow - 50 to 60 mph - oh joy! So it's not going to be particularly pleasant out there...

Forecaster Heading For Everest

2009-04-07T14:45:00.002Z

As it is a quiet day snow-wise in the South Cairngorms I thought I'd update our regulars on what Paul is up to. If you thought the blog was lacking a certain cheery chatty style recently that is because the main forecaster for this area is leading an expedition to the North Ridge of Everest. He's currently in the Khumbu Region of Nepal acclimatising until the Chinese reopen the border into Tibet. If you want to keep up to date on how the expedition is getting on the website is www.adventurepeaks.com/news/everestnews2009.html

Back home it looks like we are going to get some fresh snow overnight on the heighest summits followed by snow showers tomorrow morning...

Some new snow

2009-04-05T14:59:00.002Z

Ben Macdui from Beinn a'Bhuird
Good cover up there!

Top of Dubh Lochan Coire, Beinn a'Bhuird
Note snow colour change. White fresh snow, grey old snow

Single point release observed on sunny SE aspect today

Buttresses still black despite a little new snow

No Significant Change

2009-04-04T14:56:00.002Z

The inside of a cloud is a fairly boring photo so I didn't get the camera out at all today. There wasn't any snow during the observation period just varying amounts of drizzle, although the temperatures have started to lower this afternoon as the wind changed to North-Westerly and increased in speed. Forecast for tomorrow is dry for this area with an 1100 metre freezing level and 25 mph SW winds. So although the winds will be fresh it should be a slightly more inspiring day.

All Change!

2009-04-03T15:35:00.003Z

Hazy view to Glas Tulaichean from Carn a'Gheoidh

Slumping and cracking at the top of steeper slopes is now widespread

All change overnight and tomorrow as a front moves in off the Atlantic. Can't complain it has been a fantastic few days. Shame it couldn't last for the weekend though!

Blue Skies!

2009-04-02T15:12:00.003Z

Sputan Dearg 2nd April 2009

G.P.M.R.T. out training

Getting Patchy!

2009-04-01T14:28:00.003Z

Typical cover on 1000 metre summit

Patchy cover on all but the highest hills

There has been a significant reduction in the snow cover in the past 48 hours with only the highest hills holding onto reasonable amounts. Cover on the lower hills is very patchy now with nothing on the horizon that suggests this situation is going to change soon.

Lochnagar 31st March

2009-03-31T15:19:00.002Z

Lochnagar - Main Corrie

Central Gully - crown wall in gully. Large cornices Central Buttress area

Cornices above the parallels

Debris out of Raeburns - Click on photo to enlarge

Buttresses pretty much black. Gullies still complete but debris at the bottom of most of them and cornices still present above them. These will become more suspect as the thaw continues.

Staying Mild

2009-03-30T15:07:00.002Z

Temperatures slowly rose today with only the highest summits remaining below freezing at mid-day. Tomorrow the freezing level is set to rise again to 1800 metres with plus 5 degrees centigrade forecast for 1000 metres. The forecast for the remainder of the week looks mild with the first hint of a cool down set for Saturday at the moment. Significant snow loss is expected as is cornice collapse, rock fall and eventually ice collapse. Well it is nearly April...now where are my rock boots and chalk bag....

Turning Warmer

2009-03-29T14:57:00.003Z

Snowy South Aspects In The Cairngorms

Loaded lee slopes and stripped windward slopes

Turning warmer tomorrow with a 1400 metre freezing level with some avalanche activity likely as the thaw becomes established. Superficial snow will strip out fairly rapidly but the deeper drifts will be around for a while longer.

Snowing & Blowing

2009-03-28T16:05:00.003Z

Snow continuing to drift over a beautifully sculptured cornice after the showers ceased.

Frequent heavy snow showers and strong winds this morning have increased the volume of windslab present on the hills. Any exposed areas have been stripped of snow but very sheltered locations on lee slopes now hold fairly deep drifts in places. Fragile cornices are also present.

Lochnagar 27th March

2009-03-27T16:10:00.002Z

Please excuse the quality of the photos - it really wasn't the kind of day to be getting your camera out - snow showers and a lot of spindrift blowing around. The cloud refused to lift out of the corrie as well. Any exposed areas have been stripped of snow but that does mean that there is windslab in very sheltered locations - especially around the top of the crag and in the gullies. A large spindrift avalanche came down Parallel A this morning and some snow was observed coming out of Raeburn's as well. The forecast is for snow overnight so careful route choice required tomorrow.

Drifting Deposits

2009-03-26T15:57:00.003Z

He may look fed up but actually he's loving it...really! Siberian Huskies are bred for this kind of weather - windy with snow showers and fairly persistent drifting. The new snow is localised due to the strong winds but sheltered locations are holding reasonable quantities of fresh snow.

Snow Forecast

2009-03-25T16:00:00.002Z

Very limited snow at lower altitudes at present. Snow has been forecast for overnight and during tomorrow, so hopefully tomorrows photo will be a little whiter.

Spring on hold - just.

2009-03-23T14:52:00.004Z

It's been a windy, cold day. Cloud came and went all morning. There has been a bit of new snow, most of it has been blown through onto sheltered areas. The deepest I came across was about 40 cm's but mostly it was less than this. Old snow is variable in hardness- from frozen to very soft.

Snow tomorrow but turning to sleet/rain as the F/L rises to 1100 metres.

Pic: Glas Maol summit today.

Pic: From Glas Maol plateau looking to Creag Leacach. Winds have been very strong.

Big Mac

2009-03-20T16:27:00.004Z

It was back to Ben MacDui today. Perfect Cairngorm day, no wind and red hot.

Pic below: summit indicator

Pic: Looking back to 'the dark side' across the plateau.

Pic: Snow was perfect but softening in the sun.....fast!

Pic: Ali enjoying the turns.

Pic: yep he's still enjoying it.

Pic: Even the paragliders were at it. They were flying from Morrone.

Lochnagar

2009-03-19T16:32:00.003Z

It was a day of contrasts today, fine in the valley but there was cloud from around 900 metres.

Bit of a bike/run combo into Lochnagar via the Stuic from Braemar today.

Pic: Lochnagar - cloud did break very briefly.

Pic: There it is in close up. Nearly out the cloud.

Sadly these are the best shots- just too cloudy to get a decent shot from the top of the crag. There is still cover in the gullies, the snow is firm in places.

Summer?

2009-03-18T15:58:00.005Z

It's possible we skipped Spring and went straight to summer. Then again it wasn't raining.

Great running/biking/ walking at the moment.

Running shoes were on today-

Creag Leacach- Glas Maol - Cairn of Claise - Carn an Tuirc - Carn Aosda - The Cairnwell.

Bit warm, but that's hardly grounds for complaint.

Pic below: Looking to Glas Maol from Creag Leacach.

Pic: Looking towards Carn Aosda and the main Cairngorms.

Pic: Yep summer- no tops and a carry out at 3000 ft.

Pic: Cairn of Claise, looking back to Glas Maol.

Pic: Remains of a Microlight.

Pic: A mountain hare disguised as a snow patch.

Ben MacDui.

2009-03-17T16:32:00.005Z

Headed off up Ben MacDui today. Took our ski's as Ali was heading off to Aviemore. Thought we could link patches up but it was very poor until much higher up hill. What snow is there was fantastic!

The plateau is ok but options are limited outside Cairngorm/MacDui. Braeriach has good cover on top. The buttresses looked black, think sun has taken it's toll, main gullies look complete.

I doubt there is any decent touring in the White Mounth without any significant walking.

It was a great day, pics below.

Pic Below: Crossing the bridge at Derry Lodge

Pic: You have to earn this snow.....we walked a bit.

Pic: er....we walked a lot.

Pic: Finally snow!

Pic: Looking over to the corries of Braeriach.

Pic: Passing Sappers bothy.

Pic: Plenty snow Buntings around.

Pic: Superb views today.

Pic: Top Ben MacDui

Not a lot of snow on the way down but what was there was fantastic.

going...going.....?

2009-03-15T15:55:00.011Z

Today was pretty uninspiring. You can see the snow going on a daily basis. Had a quick visit in to Lochnagar last night, easier gullies are still there, as are some of the cornices.

Forecasts are saying colder possible snow end of this week. Let's hope.

Pic: Looking to the main Cairngorms.

Pic below : All our ski touring gone. Looking up towards Glas Maol. Not a surprise to see that Glenshee has now closed for the moment.

Thaw continues.

2009-03-13T15:58:00.002Z

The thaw continues with some further snow loss. The higher corries are hanging on ok, most easy gullies have snow in them. The White Mounth plateau has become broken but it is still possible to tour. The freezing level is due to drop to 900 metres during Saturday afternoon.

Pic: looking to Cairn o Claise from Glas Maol.

Pic: looking towards Braeriach.

Pic Looking towards The main Cairngorms from the White Mounth.

The thaw continues.

2009-03-12T16:29:00.004Z

It would appear the thaw started taking hold late yesterday and evening. There was a lot more debris in the Corrie today, biggest being significant amounts from the Raeburns/Black Spout combo. I was surprised to see that most of the cornices are hanging on, it was slightly cooler today perhaps it was enough to keep them there. Black Spout RH had not got a cornice, but I didn't see up the LH route.

Grampian Police MRT and a couple of members from Braemar MRT were in the corrie today. They intended to do a big lower but it was very windy on top, well worth avoiding standing near edges today!!

Pic: The Corrie today.

Pic: New debris from Douglas Gibson. Note a bare Eagle Ridge.
Pic: Looking to Black Spout.
Pic: Grampian MRT practice lowers on the rocks under the gear up point before going to play on the last of the ice on the crags by the approach track.
Pic: A confident looking Dr Teale about to be dropped into Lochnagar.

Lochnagar 11th March

2009-03-11T16:49:00.002Z

Had a wander into Lochnagar with Ali today. Not much doing really. There was no rain and the thaw had not fully taken hold when we were out. There will probably be some activity overnight but it should cool down tomorrow. All the easier gullies will survive this thaw.

Pic: Crossing debris, Central Gully above.
Pic: Looking towards The Black Spout.
Pic: Central Buttress on left, Douglas Gibson on right.
Pic. Digging out and checking contents of rescue box.