Winter conditions

[Backpacker]

Boxing day on Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) knee and waist deep snow, no ice just a matter of ploughing through. Yesterday (27th) Meall Dearg on AE. More of a dusting but icier. Again crampons weren't need but microspikes would've helped on the descent (We came in from kinlochleven side)

[madprof]

On Bidean today, no crampons necessary although the icy bits coming up from the Lost Valley might encourage you to wear them.

Powdery snow on thin, but firm, old snow.

Got my first ever brocken spectre!

[jmarkb]

Happy New Year snow watchers!

Date: 1/1/18
Location: Cul Mor
Snow level: 200m: all very wintry looking!
Snow cover: Thin cover below 450m, deeper fresh snow above.
Conditions: Mush at low levels, partially consolidated damp snow higher up.
Comments: Slow going if breaking trail.

[jmarkb]

Date: 4/1/18
Location: An Teallach (Glas Mheall Mor)
Snow level: 450m
Snow cover: Reasonable cover on all aspects.
Conditions: Below 800m, partially consolidated snow with a breakable crust.
Above 800m, soft windslab.
Comments: Very hard work!

[Caberfeidh]

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gfhq5230p
This is the kind of changeable weather with variable temperatures which leads to snow and ice consolidation building up good winter conditions. Unfortunately it is also the time of year the less knowledgeable decide that they want winter to be over and anyone who tells them winter is still here is elitist. Anyone gritting their driveways and their teeth for the forthcoming ice season?

[Ltuddenham]

Great idea. The facebook group for ground conditions looks like it is predominantly used for English and Welsh hills, a few posts for Scotland - mainly around Glencoe - so it has limited value for Scottish mountaineers.

Date: 7/1/18
Location: Ben Ledi
Snow level: 350m
Snow Cover: Extensive from about 450m up
Comments: Easy going on the path with compacted snow and icy patches, easily skirted. North of the summit descending to Bealach nan Corp, snow more crusted and some windslab, donned my microspikes although probably not strictly necessary - however came in handy for the icy path further east of the bealach descending to Stank Glen. Most people were managing fine without any extra pointy things.

[Caberfeidh]

08/01/2018 - Ben Lawers road from Loch Tay road between Killin and Kenmore. Passable up to the car park with some icy parts, but far too icy after the car park, my car was skating all over the place, and it's a big 4x4.

Ben Lawers; well snowy but a bit awkward, what with the snow-blindness.

They're not kidding.

As close to the dam as I could get.

It's a big buzzard, honest.

[BlackPanther]

Up Carn Ghluasaid, Glen Shiel, last Sunday, 07/01:



Snow down to 300m, knee deep higher up. Very soft as well, even on the traverse to Sgurr nan Conbhairean. Hard work, especially if breaking fresh trail. Occasionally easier going on windswept stretches. Path/track on the lower approach very icy and slippery. Don't forget your winter gear

[prog99]

Now is the time to tick off those boggy approaches. The Gairich bog is like concrete at the moment.

[Sunset tripper]

Today snow well over a foot deep on Rannoch Moor at the roadside (A82) and deep deep drifts. At Glencoe village at sea level there are a few inches also. Looks amazing but hard work for anyone out on the hills.

Loch Ba, Rannoch Moor 20/01/18

Loch Achtriochtan, Glencoe 20/01/18

[jmarkb]

Date: 18/2/18
Location: Carn Aosda (Glen Shee)
Snow level: 450m
Snow cover: Hills looking white, but a lot of thin scoured areas with deep cover only in patches or high up.
Conditions: Deeper areas generally firm packed.
Comments: Great skiing!

[madprof]

In the Mamores it was slushy today (18/2) but should be firming up nicely for the next few days. No hard snow even at 1000m. Ridges were a bit worrying. Stepping down to avoid cornices meant I sank right in. Turned around on Binnein Mor.

[Vivifon]

Hello!
My name is Viviane, I’m brazilian and going to scotland (Fort William and Inverness) in 10th of april.
Is there any available public transport in this period of the tear, for going to the trekkings and walkings near ben nevis? Thanks in advance!

[Caberfeidh]

Hello!
My name is Viviane, I’m brazilian and going to scotland (Fort William and Inverness) in 10th of april.
Is there any available public transport in this period of the tear, for going to the trekkings and walkings near ben nevis? Thanks in advance!

There are trains and buses to Fort William from Glasgow, Ben Nevis is walking distance from Fort William. http://www.citylink.co.uk/timetables/Winter2017/WEB_GlasgowSkye.pdf , or trains https://www.scotrail.co.uk/ .

There is plenty of cheap accommodation in Fort William if you do not mind hostels. https://www.syha.org.uk/where-to-stay/highlands/glen-nevis.aspx , https://www.hostel-scotland.co.uk/search-results .

Glen Nevis is a good trek, way up beyond the end of the road, to the Steall Falls. Try to travel around a bit, there are nice places to see. https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/fortwilliam/bennevis/index.html

Ben Nevis from Loch Eil.

Loch Eil, near Fort William.

[Vivifon]

Thank You! This is what I was looking for.

Viviane