A Wild-life Day!
16th February 2020
Frequent snow showers today and feeling very cold in the gale force to storm force winds – 100mph gusts recorded late morning by the Sgurr a’ Chaorachain met station (780m), averaging 80mph. Most fresh snow is being transported off the summits by the wind (spindrift) and settling at lower elevations or thawing if blown below the freezing level. Localised areas of windslab are forming in some sheltered locations.
It was a struggle in the wind to even get to 500m this morning. The highlight of the day being the ‘Wild-life’ (see what I did?) that I spotted on the hill; Snowbunting, Golden Eagle (‘playing’ in the wind!), Mountain Hare and Ptarmigan. Spring is nearing?
(Above) The main ridge of Beinn Eighe between showers, with Coire an Laoigh on the left and Sgurr nan Fhir Duibhe on the right. Plumes of spindrift are visible blowing off the ridge. Wind exposed areas are scoured. Cross-loading is occurring on the slope to the right of the main coire on a Southerly aspect.
(Above) Upper coire an Laoigh full of recirculating spindrift in the aftermath of a small shower.
(Above) Upper Coire an Laoigh between showers with spindrift that will blow across the slope on the right.
(Above) A little fresh snow on the south Torridon hills.
(Above) Fresh tracks. A Mountain Hare kindly broke trail for a bit!
(Above) Snow cover on Liathach is not much more than yesterday.
Comments on this post
Got something to say? Leave a comment
