Coire Ardair & the Inner Coire
7th March 2017
(Above) A trip up into the Inner Coire today passing Pinnacle Buttress, Easy Gully and part of the Post Face of Coire Ardair – all pictured. Quite wintry-looking but with even more snow on the way overnight and throughout Wednesday. Very light snow showers at times today with a little drifting as the wind picked up; even some trails of spindrift coming off a few of the crags in the afternoon.
(Above) The single brief (really brief!) appearance of a shaft of sunlight had me scrambling for the camera! A view towards ‘The Window’, with a pair of winter hill walkers just in shot en-route to the top of this well-known and distinctive looking col. Still relatively lean build up of snow in the vicinity of ‘The Window’ though this will no doubt improve after the anticipated wintry weather kicks in overnight.
(Above) Looking up to The Pipes on the start of Trespasser Buttress in the Inner Coire. Flat light at all altitudes for most of the day.
(Above) The large right-angled corner (just left of centre) where ‘The Pumpkin’ – one of Creag Meagaidh’s better known ice routes – is normally found.
(Above) Â ‘The Sash’, ‘The Wand’ and ‘Diadem’ in shot. Today’s primary snow observations (the snow profile) were carried out in the snowy bay immediately below where these routes commence.
(Above) Raeburn’s Gully today.
There’s going to be a lot of new snow and windslab in all the above places during the next 24 hours, and most will be topped off with weak cornices.
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JB
7th March 2017 9:16 pm
Conditions were cracking in Easy Gully on Sunday – a top up of snow will make it exquisite (stability, or otherwise, notwithstanding)! Avi forecast was spot on; as ever thank you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0BEt6knvSs
meagaidhadmin
8th March 2017 9:39 am
Saw your ascent tracks on Tuesday when making my way up to the Inner Coire.
Many thanks for your comment and the link to your video. Looks like you had a great time, James!