A brilliant day.
19th March 2018
A firm snow pack first thing this morning with azure blue skies and light East-North-East winds. The sun shone brightly and the snow surface softened on sun exposed aspects.
There are still some overhanging cornices which may drop off with the warming sun.
Torridon is famed for its ridge walking, winter mountaineering and wonderful summer rock climbing but not so well known for ski touring. However, today Dave from Aberdeen was skiing in the coire. The snow surface was firm and crispy this morning and ski crampons may have been beneficial to supplement ski-mountaineering skins in ascent. By mid-morning the snow surface had softened on Southerly sun exposed aspects giving some nice turns. Dave said ” I have just returned from the Alps last week, but none of it was as great as today, fantastic snow!”
Liathach in nice winter condition.
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Pete Ashworth
19th March 2018 5:31 pm
Lucky Dave! I skied (and carried the skis) up Meall aChrasgaidh, then on to Carn na Criche. Left the skis by the howff to go up and down Sgurr nan Clach Geala in crampons then skied down the bullet hard snow and ice without leaving, a mark on the surface to 570m when the white stuff ends. Big avalanche (realeased over a length of about 100m, 30cm deep) on w face of Meall a Chrasgaidh at about 650m, guess it released before this cold spell arrived.
torridonadmin
20th March 2018 3:51 pm
Thanks for your description of your day out in the Fannaichs Pete. Challenging skiing conditions – sharp edges required! Yes, the avalanche on Meall a’ Chrasgaidh has been recorded and it occurred some time ago during the last thaw.
David Gilchrist
19th March 2018 7:03 pm
Great report and a fantastic day! Thanks again for all the good work. “Dave from Aberdeen”
torridonadmin
20th March 2018 3:52 pm
Thanks ‘Dave from Aberdeen’.