The difference a day makes.
31st January 2025
Following a glorious cold and clear winters day, today was an overcast day mild in the coires. Cooler at higher levels. The snowpack has become increasingly firm in the variable temperatures and with a need to concentrate on my movement on steep ground with crampons and ice axe.
Creag Dubh just appearing out the mist. Some snow loss from previous days
Surprisingly firm snowpack
Brief sunshine on Creag Dubh – Beinn Eighe
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WILLIAM
1st February 2025 6:50 am
Would appreciate a scientific explanation for variable remperatues consolidating a snowpack. Thanks for interesting blogs, really helpful in planning safe winter hillwalking.
torridonadmin
3rd February 2025 8:12 pm
Thanks for the question William. The warmer temperatures cause the grains to round and thus pack closer together thus getting denser and more stable, the freeze that follows causes water between the grains to freeze further consolidating the snowpack. Hope that helps.