Hello darkness, my old friend.
20th December 2020
Covid-19
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service would recommend that those wishing to enjoy the winter mountains refer to Mountaineering Scotland and Scottish Government advice regarding Covid-19 and outdoor activities.
Winter solstice is at exactly 10.02am tomorrow Monday 21st December. Sunrise on Monday at Creag Meagaidh is at 0835hrs and sunset at 1539hrs.
(Above) 10.38am today. Looking south from the end of Beinn a Chaorainn’s approach track. Seemed dark even at mid morning despite the sliver of sunlight. Very wet underfoot everywhere.
(Above) The backwall of the deeply gouged coire immediately east of Beinn a Chaorainn. Just a cosmetic dusting of snow with only a modest build up of new drifted snow at the very top of this amphitheatre-like coire. Tiny new cornice line, too, but barely worth mentioning.
(Above) Looking up at Beinn a Chaorainn’s East Ridge. A covering of fresh snow down to 750m today. Most of the forecasted shower activity seemed to pass just to the north of SAIS Creag Meagaidh hence the modest snow cover here. Shower activity is a bit hit or miss and very difficult for the Met Office to forecast. ‘Twas ever thus. Shower activity (with snow) in tomorrow’s forecast as well.
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Stan Wygladala
21st December 2020 12:18 am
Still enjoying your pithy comments. Looks like some decent weather to come. I thank God my good years were when the conditions were almost always guaranteed. Where is the apprentice?
meagaidhadmin
21st December 2020 9:54 am
Great to hear from you again, Stan! More than somewhat disappointed not to have received more snow to date but hope springs eternal.
Re. The Apprentice. Someone will be along later with a sit rep!
Danny
21st December 2020 12:14 pm
Just a comment about your Comments in the main report. Since you used the word respectively at the end of the sentence rather than, perhaps the word ‘accordingly’ I’m wondering if you should have had ‘upwards’ and ‘downwards’ the other way around?
I may be being a pedant but I’m sensing the possibility for mis-interpretation of your Comments if someone was to take that last word literally.
meagaidhadmin
21st December 2020 3:03 pm
You’re right, Danny, should be ‘accordingly’ rather than ‘respectively’…and…’upwards’ and ‘downwards’ are the wrong way round, too! Good catch. A couple of Homer Simpson ‘Doh!’ moments for me there!
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to edit the text of the report since the grown ups over at Glenmore Lodge have exclusive access and editing rights over the main SAIS website. Different matter on the blog which is more or less our own playground. (Perhaps it shows sometimes..)
Danny
21st December 2020 5:48 pm
No harm done I’m sure and since GL don’t let you edit the original report I guess you can pass the buck on to them for not spotting it under their Editorial remit
Like others, I always enjoy reading your blog… Good to have some mirth every so often especially to offset the almost constantly depressing news we’ve had this year!