Continuing Thaw
17th March 2023
Thaw conditions continued today with the freezing level above the summits. However there was only patchy rain and light winds and snow cover remains reasonable higher up. At lower elevation it is mainly bare ground. The first very small patches of snow I encountered on my way up, Mullach an Rathain, Liathach, were at 450 metres. The snow was wet and thawing at all elevations, however from 800 metres the cover is more continuous on all aspects, particularly on steep slopes, in corries and gullies. Thaw conditions are due to continue tomorrow. It is colder and drier on Sunday, as the freezing level drops on Sunday the remaining snow will become very firm and icy. Tops were in the cloud today so not the best for photo quality but gives an idea of snow cover.
Liathach from the road, there is more snow high up than it looks like from the picture.
Looking along the Northern pinnacles towards Meal Dearg from the summit of Mullach an Rathain, Liathach. The gullies holding snow on either side face North-West and South-East.
Looking along the main Liathach ridge from the summit of Mullach an Rathain.
South-East aspect below the summit of Mullach an Rathain. Snow cover was good on this slope above around 800 metres.
Creag Dhubh, Beinn Eighe.
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