Footprints in the (crusty) snow.
17th January 2020
(Above) En route to the Min Window (a narrow defile on the Carn Liath plateau and close to Coire a Chriochairein). There were a few weather windows today when the sun could be glimpsed for a few fleeting seconds. This was one. The view up Coire Ardair towards Lochan a Choire, Belleview Buttress, Pinnacle Buttress and the Post Face. Wet or moist snow underfoot below 800m.
(Above) 800m on the Carn Liath plateau. Some light snow showers during the day which got a bit ‘punchier’ in the early afternoon.
(Above) A favoured snow-holding East aspect at 850m. Wide expanses of deep moist snow with a thin crust; thicker at 900m but treacherous nevertheless. A few choice oaths may have been uttered during foot passage across it…
(Above) The general snowpack set up at the moment. Thin, crusty layer underlain by moist, dense (and well bonded grains), with a covering of recent windslab. More new windslab expected overnight and during Saturday on lee slopes above 850m. Instability tended to be localised today, however some deeper new windslab deposits noted in a few sheltered areas above 900m, like below The Window in Coire Ardair. A Westerly airflow + more snow showers will see further windslab development in similar locations throughout Saturday. Cornices beginning to grow, too.
(Above) Homeward leg, looking down towards Aberarder and Loch Laggan.
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