Same stuff, different day.
25th January 2026
SAIS Creag Meagaidh missed out on any appreciable snowfall but the South Easterly wind and generally cold temperatures were about the same again today as they have been for the past few days. Visibility? Just a little better than of late but still quite misty above 850m.
The snowpack is quite contrasty. Hard or crusty where the wind had done its scouring work plus some recently drifted but localised weaker windslab in very sheltered places. Older underlying windslab is quite humid and bonding up well at the moment.
If you look at today’s snow profile you’ll notice that the temperature from the top to the bottom of the snow varies only a little bit – so is more or less isothermal – and this slightly below freezing temperature profile helps this type of snow ‘heal’ itself internally, consolidate and become better bonded.
Some snowfall in the weather forecast so anticipating some new, though limited, windslab development on steep lee areas above 950m.
(Above) The Big Picture. Looking west towards Sron a Ghoire, which is just poking its head into the 800m cloudbase.
(Above) L to R: Raeburn’s Gully, Pinnacle Buttress, the mouth of Easy Gully and the Post Face of Coire Ardair.
(Above) The Inner Coire of Coire Ardair & The Window, the high bealach centre of shot. Minimal/negligible trailbreaking into this coire and firm snow-ice from 850m on the approach to The Window.
(Above) The view down from Coire nan Gamhna to Lochan a Choire and upper Coire Ardair. Bit of a trailbreaking fest for access to this little gem of a hanging coire.
(Above) Looking towards Bellevue Buttress. Lobe of quite old cornice debris of only historic interest which probably came down during the last meltdown.
(Above) Beinn a Chaorainn, also capped by cloud today.
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