Staying Cold…

2nd January 2021

Covid -19
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service issues information to support permitted activity under current Scottish Government guidance.  Please be aware of travel restrictions within Scotland and respect local communities by referring to Scottish Government guidance and how to participate safely by referring to Mountaineering Scotland guidance.
What a slog! Skis, snow shoes or a well broken trail required at present… If you try going it solo, off the beaten track, be prepared for an excellent post Christmas calorie burn! Cold temperatures are maintaining the snow as soft, cold, dry deposits. In wind sheltered locations the drifts take some wading through, making for slow, arduous progress.
I went up onto the West Ridge of Lochnagar today hoping to get a view onto the crags but the cloud was being a pain; occasionally threatening to clear, but dropping back in as soon as I got my lens cap off!
It’s set to stay cold again for the next 24 hour period with a small amount of fresh snow forecast. We’ll be keeping a look out for facetted snow crystals in shallower snowpacks now as the air temperature has been persistently cold for a while creating ideal growth conditions.

Cloud occasionally threatened to clear. Sun just breaking through over Central Gully area. The loch is freezing over…

Slightly easier progress made in exposed locations. West Ridge of Lochnagar. Soft unconsolidated snow.

Snow shoes or skis useful at the moment…

Corrugated snow…

Gelder Shiel in the snow

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