Shepherd’s Warning
17th February 2025
Today it was pleasantly surprising that the ‘red dawn’ warning of a change for the worse actually turned into a dry bright if generally overcast day. Whilst the summits of the Eastern end of Beinn Eighe were blanketed in cloud, Slioch remained clear, and heading up Allt a Chuirn tantalising glimpses could be seen in occasional breaks. Notably warmer, with only light Easterly winds, it was only the final 300 metres onto the summit of Creag Dhubh that remained sub zero. The old existing snow patches continuing to be generally firm and stable, softened on the surface with more delicate rime. Inconveniently, the cloud stubbornly persisted until being well clear on the the way back down, where distant summits over to the Fannich’s enjoyed clearer skies and sunshine, and to the south, patchy sunshine through broken clouds.
But the red sky warning? It has not been wrong, with increasing temperatures, hill snow briefly and then rain tomorrow morning. The freezing level way above the summits by the end of day.
Red Sky at Dawn….
Allt a Chuirn leading to a cloud covered Sgurr nan Fhir Duibhe and Creag Dhubh, Easterly aspects.
Slioch to the North.
Coire Domhain with a glimpse of the East ridge leading to Sgurr nan Fhir Duibhe.
The North-East aspect and ridge leading to the summit of Creag Dhubh, Meall a Ghiuthais behind.
From the summit of Creag Dhubh along the South-West ridge towards Sgurr nan Fhir Duibhe. Plenty of rime formed in the sub zero temperatures.
The South East Torridon summits behind Coire Domhain in patchy sunshine through broken cloud.
Clearer skies and sunshine over the Fannich’s.
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