2 skiers + 1 gully = seriously good fun.

1st April 2018

(Above) Creag Meagaidh ‘showcase’ sort of day for the camera. Cobalt skies and great snow cover. Taking the ‘short cut’ up toward the Inner Coire.

 

(Above) Spotted two ski mountaineers weighing up a descent of Easy Gully. Top left on the skyline. For best detail, click on the photo, then right click and ‘open image in another tab’. The broad exit ramp of Easy Gully had only a little sun at this time so the snow hadn’t developed much of a mushy surface favoured by skiers at this time of year. The shaded areas were very cold with a covering of much drier snow.

 

(Above) They ‘went for it’.

 

(Above) Dwarfed against ‘Last Post’, one of Creag Meagaidh’s signature ice climbs.

 

(Above) Looking good, folks!

 

(Above) Escaping the shadow out of Easy Gully and onto the moderately angled crag apron.

 

(Above) Regrouping close to the lochan. Good effort! (I won’t publish the shot of one of you resorting to a ‘buttock arrest’ near the base of South Post!) Looked seriously good fun on a what was a stellar day. If you’re reading this, guys, I have many good and un-cropped shots of your descent. Contact me via the comments below and I’ll send them to you. BTW we were the ones who gave you a round of applause once you’d descended!

 

(Above) The crags of the Inner Coire of Coire Ardair. Fast travel on skis or foot today above 700m. Climbing parties on The Pumpkin and Diadem just visible in the photo. That gnarly cornice still looms over the entrance to Cinderella.

 

(Above) Looking towards L to R Bellevue Buttress, The Pinnacle, Easy Gully and the Post Face around midday.

 

(Above) Great views east towards the Cairngorms from the Inner Coire.

Weather won’t be so stellar on Monday. Cold and much windier with some snow showers in the afternoon.

 

 

 

 

Comments on this post

  • David Bell
    1st April 2018 9:56 pm

    What excellent photos. Thanks for sharing!!

    • meagaidhadmin
      1st April 2018 10:18 pm

      Delighted to share, David. Was a truly excellent day.

      Many thanks for your comment.

  • Mike Birkby
    2nd April 2018 4:11 pm

    Hi,

    Fame at last!

    Great photos! Yesterday was truly a gift from the Scottish weather gods (despite us breaking the Sabbath).

    We skied Raeburn’s afterwards from between the Blue Icicle and the cornice, which was also excellent, having avoided the sun even more.

    Coire Ardair is a special place to ski.

    BTW My wife’s excuse for her ‘buttock arrest’ was it was our third day on and her tired legs came into contact with a sizeable lump of ice which had presumably previously been part of South Post…

    Certainly grateful for any photos (and applause), although we already feel very indebted for the great reports and blog posts!

    Thanks,

    Mike

    .

    • meagaidhadmin
      2nd April 2018 5:51 pm

      Many thanks for your comment, Mike. Was indeed a brilliant day.

      (You have mail)

  • Donnie
    3rd April 2018 6:16 pm

    Well – what can you say. Lived at Laggan for over ten years in the 1970’s and never saw amazing conditions like this.

    You are very lucky guys. Viewing this from a city break in Ravenna where the warm caressing winds of the Adriatic are making it a very pleasant twenty degrees.

    Thanks for these brilliant pix and your ever entertaining posts from Creag Meagaidh.

    Moran Taing

    • meagaidhadmin
      3rd April 2018 9:42 pm

      The sun always shines at Creag Meagaidh, Donnie. Well known fact. (Ahem….)

      Mmmm…20 degrees…warm caressing winds….Ravenna. Much want!

      Many thanks for your comment.

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