Glorious
28th December 2025
High pressure continues to dominate with a marked temperate inversion. This morning it was -7 degrees Celsius at glen level and at midday it was 3.4 degrees Celsius on the summit of Creag Meagaidh. Layers were being removed as altitude was gained. The visibility was superb giving fantastic views all directions. Combine these factors with light winds, and it was a day to saver being up high.
Water ice continues to be a hazard that is present on both paths and the open hillside. All patches are best avoided.
Moy Burn and Moy Corrie. One of the distinctive features of the Creag Meagaidh massif is that the majority of the coires aren’t visible from the roads, being hidden away down twisting glens. Moy Corrie (spelling ‘Corrie’ is used here as taken directly from the map) is a prime example, with the full extent only being visible if you walk to its end. An Cearcallach (993m) is the summit on the right-hand side of the photo.
The Moy Wall and its defining snow strip on the Western side. The snow strip is currently about 3 metres wide and runs from a height of 870m to the wall end at 990m, over a distance of approximately 640m. Could this be a contender for our longest continuous snow patch at the moment? Beinn a’ Chaorainn (1052m) shown behind with its prominent curving East Ridge in the centre. Stob a’Choire Mheadoin (1105m) is the snow capped hill just left of centre, with inversion fog in the glen.
The upper reaches of the Moy Burn and Moy Corrie. Creag Meagaidh summit is visible just left of centre, with a person near the summit cairn. All remaining snow is firm.
Looking North-West across the hills of Glen Roy, Loch Lochy and Glen Shiel, from near the summit of Creag Meagaidh.
Looking South-West across the summit ridge of Beinn a’Chaorainn to Aonach Mòr and Ben Nevis.
A local walker taking the opportunity to make their first visit to the summit of Creag Meagaidh, with a good view of The Cairngorms behind. A discussion ensued about why as avalanche forecasters a visit to the summit of Creag Meagaidh isn’t a common occurrence. Most of the avalanche terrain in this area is below 1050m, with the majority below 1000m so observations can predominantly be done at elevations below that of the summit. But on a day like today it’s hard to find a reason not too. It also serves as a good reminder of how much fetch there can be on this plateau. It’s a large area for snow to get blown across which, with Westerly winds, will gather predominantly in Coire Ardair.
Looking South-West down the Moy Burn. There are patches of water ice like this one on paths and the open hillside. All are best given a wide berth. Most are clearly visible but some extend well into the surrounding grass with the edges disguised.
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