Get my drift?
21st January 2013
I was expecting to have to dig my way out this morning given the weather forecast, but there was only a dusting on the doorstep. The showers were fairly light all day until a fairly heavy one came through around 3pm. The winds however were making up for the lack of fresh snow by blasting the existing snow around. The drifting at 900 metres was heavy and persistent, with the majority of stability tests failing at isolation – an indication of very poor stability. The drifts are getting deeper and extending to lower altitudes. More snow on the way tonight apparently with some showers tomorrow.
In my dim and dark past, I’m pretty sure I remember instructing on the use of linear and catchment features to aid navigation. Today I decided to use both: Initially the tow line was handy, and when that disappeared into the spindrift – I could always feel my way along the snow fences!
This drift is a good 150cm deep with a soft cornice forming. These features are developing in many sheltered locations, and can be difficult to see in poor visibility – speaks the voice of ‘experience’
As I’m writing this blog – that’s 16.45hrs – I’ve just watched the police closing the snow gate on the A93 – link for the webcam below.
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/webcams/braemar.asp
Take care out there
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