Ski Touring in the Monadhlaith- Newtonmore.

Shooting Cracks: a sign that the snow pack is very unstable. We have had lots of snow here with strong winds which transports the snow to lee slopes and this transported accumulations of snow form wind slab. Careful route choice, ( avoiding unstable snow, terrain traps , convex and concave slopes is important when traveling through snow covered terrain. If you are lucky and stay alert you notice many clues on the hill and mountain side as you travel along. Also, squeaky sounds and cracking of the snow around your boots or skis are very good clues. The crack above is a dramatic one indicating very interesting conditions and unstable snow.

Stephen and I had a great ski tour in the hills behind my house yesterday. The snow cover was fantastic!

GlenShee- a wonderful ski touring day

Ace snow, lots of surface hoar crystals , a few rocks and clumps of heather to catch one out... but fantastic fun , experience enhancing and a cool adventure!

Wild on the mountain tops

Amazing ski touring conditions today, its wild and windy at higher altitudes but some nice snow around!

Lochnagar Day

Lochnagar (1155m), the climbs are well plastered with snow!

However the Christmas Day cakes are really tasty! Thanks, J,H and C xxx

While Alan field tests his new scarf brought by Santa via an interesting person in Vancouver!

Happy Christmas to one and all!

With my very good and trusted old pal Alan Dennis collecting snow pit data on Carn Chronaidh near the ski centre at Glen Shee. We wish you all a very merry Christtmas.

Great snow cover so get out on the hills and work off that extra portion of Turkey!

Fiacaill of Corie An T-Snechda

An interesting day today in the snow laden Cairngorms. So, Jeff and I had a good mountaineering day by climbing the Fiacaill ridge by its most technical route which is an interesting grade 2. We then abseiled down Jacobs as there had been some big groups climbing it earlier in the day and had knocked off any suspect soft snow. There is lots of wind slab about and the avalanche forecast was true to form. Temperatures seemed to raise a little this afternoon but it's not for long. Climbs are in great condition but the depth of snow and iced up cracks make progress slow and climbs difficult to protect.

Spiral Gully

A great day today for north facing gullies in the Cairngorms. The SAIS avalanche forecast was bang on and the north facing gullies all swept clear of deep snow! Climbing conditions are on good neve and while this offers great placements for ice-picks it's not so easy to find protection and cams do not grip so well in the ice filled cracks! This is Jeff who is with me for a few days of Introductory Mountaineering, Spiral gully is a classic four pitch grade II