Beinn a’Chaorainn
22nd February 2025
It didn’t feel as dry as was forecast for today, or certainly not on Beinn a’Chaorainn, in the Western end of the Creag Meagaidh forecasting area. The showers were both heavier and more frequent than forecast. At times it felt wetter than yesterday (but no doubt drier than tomorrow). The showers were falling as wet snow on the summits, but this wasn’t lying on the ground at the time of observations.
There has been significant snow loss across the area, but bits of ice, snow patches and saggy cornices are clinging on. How much of this will survive tomorrow’s imminent thaw, we will have to wait and see. It looks like it will get colder from Monday onwards, with some hill snow in the forecasts.
Looking up the East Ridge of Beinn a’Chaorainn. Is there any snow up there?
A Ptarmigan poised on the East Ridge of Beinn a’Chaorainn, head into wind, waiting for the view. The camouflage wasn’t working so well today. The plumage of ptarmigan change colour due to hormone levels in the blood. Production of these hormones, particularly melatonin is influenced mainly by day length. Hence why they look white even when there is limited snow around.
The view. Looking into the coire south of the East Ridge, where a reasonable amount of snow survived Friday’s thaw.
The summit plateau. It was snowing when this photo was taken, but none of it was lying on the ground. There is still ice in places.
The unnamed lochan high in Coire na h-Uamha. Ice remains on the loch and reasonably sized snow deposits beside it.
A brief clearing to show the lower section of the East Ridge in profile. Any remaining snow bridges will be weak!
Coire na Laogh, on the west side of Creag Meagaidh.
A much clearer spell providing a view of Creag Pitridh (924m) on the left and Beinn a’ Chlachair (1087m) on the right.
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