walkhighlands

This forum is for general discussion about walking and scrambling... If writing a report or sharing your experiences from a route, please use the other boards.

Whether crampons or micro spikes will be reqd

Whether crampons or micro spikes will be reqd


Postby balgonie » Mon Apr 08, 2019 3:37 pm

Hi
I’m planning on heading to the linn of Dee tmrw morning to do 4 Munros Beinn a Bhuird & Ben Avon on Tuesday, then Beinn Bhrotain & Monadh Mor on Wednesday.
Are the conditions there at the moment still very wintery and crampons needed or will i get away with the mini micro spikes! Which will save me from wearing my full winter boots!
Thanks
User avatar
balgonie
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 203
Munros:139   
Fionas:1   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
Location: Fife

Re: Whether crampons or micro spikes will be reqd

Postby gaffr » Mon Apr 08, 2019 5:06 pm

Both blogs for the SAIS reports for the Cairngorms...N and S will.give you an indication of the current conditions.
User avatar
gaffr
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2258
Munros:281   Corbetts:203
Fionas:33   Donalds:14
Sub 2000:11   Hewitts:25
Wainwrights:11   Islands:17
Joined: Oct 25, 2009
Location: Highland.

Re: Whether crampons or micro spikes will be reqd

Postby jmarkb » Mon Apr 08, 2019 5:27 pm

See http://ncairngormsblog.sais.gov.uk/2019/04/warm-and-sunny-8/ but take into account that clear skies overnight could turn conditions much firmer/icier. On the other hand, soft or crusty conditions could make your planned outings quite arduous!
User avatar
jmarkb
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 5857
Munros:246   Corbetts:105
Fionas:91   Donalds:32
Sub 2000:46   
Joined: Oct 28, 2011
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Whether crampons or micro spikes will be reqd

Postby balgonie » Mon Apr 08, 2019 5:51 pm

Thank you gaffr and thank you too jmarkb I’ll check and take my decision from there 👌🏽
User avatar
balgonie
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 203
Munros:139   
Fionas:1   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
Location: Fife

Re: Whether crampons or micro spikes will be reqd

Postby CharlesT » Tue Apr 09, 2019 1:06 am

Not the same area but I did the Grey Corries ridge and Stob Ban today. Little snow and that present was soft and hard going. Lugged crampons and axe to no purpose.
User avatar
CharlesT
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 4502
Munros:156   Corbetts:2
Hewitts:262
Wainwrights:214   Islands:2
Joined: Dec 22, 2011
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: Whether crampons or micro spikes will be reqd

Postby balgonie » Tue Apr 09, 2019 1:40 am

Going with the same Charles T better to have and not need etc etc....
User avatar
balgonie
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 203
Munros:139   
Fionas:1   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
Location: Fife

Re: Whether crampons or micro spikes will be reqd

Postby rohan » Tue Apr 09, 2019 10:36 am

Not sure if you will read this but Cairngorm Mr were warning that there is a lot of fresh snow up there at the moment. They were involved in 2call outs over the weekend. One was to 2 walkers who had been bothying and woke to thigh deep frsh snow. Struggled for 2km before turning back to the bothy. Checkout Cairngorm MR for fuller details. Sorry, I'm not managing the links on my phone.
User avatar
rohan
 
Posts: 1647
Joined: Mar 12, 2012

Re: Whether crampons or micro spikes will be reqd

Postby balgonie » Fri Apr 12, 2019 5:56 am

Thanks rohan
You were correct I did not read this before I’d left. I did take crampons, micro spikes and ice axe! But did not use any while ascending Beinn a Bhuird and Ben Avon. The patchy snow was fine to walk on without spikes!
User avatar
balgonie
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 203
Munros:139   
Fionas:1   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
Location: Fife

Re: Whether crampons or micro spikes will be reqd

Postby CharlesT » Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:06 am

balgonie wrote:Thanks rohan
You were correct I did not read this before I’d left. I did take crampons, micro spikes and ice axe! But did not use any while ascending Beinn a Bhuird and Ben Avon. The patchy snow was fine to walk on without spikes!

Same on the Monadhliath yesterday, crossing large snowfields was no problem in boots. Left axe and crampons in car. Walking pole was useful though, not least to test the surface and potential plunge depth. :D
User avatar
CharlesT
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 4502
Munros:156   Corbetts:2
Hewitts:262
Wainwrights:214   Islands:2
Joined: Dec 22, 2011
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: Whether crampons or micro spikes will be reqd

Postby balgonie » Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:43 am

Same on the Monadhliath yesterday, crossing large snowfields was no problem in boots. Left axe and crampons in car. Walking pole was useful though, not least to test the surface and potential plunge depth. :D[/quote]

I suffered a few of those so called potential plunges 😂
User avatar
balgonie
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 203
Munros:139   
Fionas:1   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
Location: Fife




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to General discussion

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: malolis and 13 guests