February 12 Conditions

Thursday 23rd February 2012

Warm, windy and wet in the North West Highlands

For the last 3 days the temperatures have been very unlike winter. On Tuesday with Damien and Neil we went up 'Way Up' in Coire Dubh Mor on the back of Liathach. It was only just complete and was melting rapidly as was the ice that had appeared on Sunday.

On Wednesday we went rock climbing at the crag at Ardheslaig. We looked at multipitch climbing and retreivable abseils. Today we climbed the South Ridge of Mullach an Rathain on Liathach. This grade 2 scramble is a great way to access Liathach's westerly munro.

Monday 20th February 2012

Winter Climbing course in the North West Highlands

Yesterday was a great winter day after Saturday's snow down to sea level and an overnight freeze. Seeing the forecast for the rest of the week we decided to make the most of Sunday and head up onto Beinn Eighe via the East Buttress. This was Neil and Damien's first mixed climb and it was a beautiful day out.

Today was not so beautiful and after yesterday's big day we opted for a low level day of rope work and dry tooling in the rain! I am working for Martin Moran this week.

Thursday 16th February 2012

Mountaineering skills in the Cairngorms

We had a great day of mountaineering with Richard, Bryony and Abby. We stayed sheltered from the Westerlies to start with on the east side of the Fiachaill Ridge pitching up the snow there. Then as the day cleared up and the wind dropped a tiny bit we headed up Fiachaill Ridge moving together.

It was ever so slightly cooler today and there were a few snow showers in the afternoon. However, we need more than just a couple of snow showers to help with the conditions.

Wednesday 15th February 2012

Wet, windy and mild

Today I was out with Richard, Bryony and Abby in the Cairngorms. They were wanting to learn some mountaineering skills. We had a good day of learning despite the sub-optimal conditions!

There was drizzle and a strong NW wind but higher up the tops of the crags looked like they were getting a bit of rime build up. There is still very little snow in the gullies but it doesn't seem to stop the crowds.

Friday 10th February 2012

Another mild day with some sunshine

I was working on the last day of a mountaineering course for Glenmore Lodge today. We did some navigation in the mist and ended up in Ciste Mhearad where we built emergency shelters in the snow and checked out the other snow holes that were there.

We then headed up onto Cairngorm and the cloud cleared for a view to finish off a great week out with Matt, Pete and Eric. It was mild again today with a south westerly breeze.

Thursday 9th February 2012

Mild and melting in the Cairngorms

The last 2 days have been very mild and the snow is melting rapidly. Eric, Pete and Matt did a great job of working on their rope and stance management.

Yesterday we had a very windy ascent of the Twin Ribs area. Today we climbed into the Fiachaill Col and then traversed the Fiachaill Ridge. There was very little wind today but low cloud and up to 8° C at 1000m.

Tuesday 7th February 2012

Sunny but cold and windy in the Cairngorms

I was working on the second day of the winter mountaineering course today. I headed in to Coire an Lochain with Eric, Matt and Pete. We looked at snow anchors, belaying, rope management and abseiling today.

We then walked back along the coire rims. There was a strong southerly breeze which was shifting a fair bit of snow over onto the northerly aspects.

Monday 6th February 2012

A beautiful sunny still winters day

Today I was working on a winter mountaineering course for Glenmore Lodge. With Eric, Matt and Pete we headed in to Coire an T-sneachda where we had a day of winter skills refreshment. Looking at cramponing and ice axe skills.

We then headed up the Goat Track and over the top of the crags and down Fiachaill a' Choire Chais. There was some fresh windslab deposited by the NW winds that had been blowing over the weekend. After the weekend the easy lines have filled out a bit but there is still not a huge amount of snow around.

Sunday 5th February 2012

A mixed day of rain, hail and a few dry moments

Rich, Gaz and I headed to the Torridonian Sandstone boulders today. Although it was far from perfect conditions we got a few problems done and enjoyed our day off in this awesome setting.

Saturday 4th February 2012

Milder air moving into the UK

After the last week of blue skies, sunshine and freezing temperatures the warm air that has been lingering out west has finally made a move east across the UK.

Yesterday I was out enjoying the sunshine on the south facing crag at Moy. Even though there was frost in the glens all day, up on the crag it was lovely and warm and dry.