Stay at home

[wilkiemurray]

The snow had arrived and an improving forecast for the afternoon meant I managed to escape for a quick blast up my nearest hill (well most convenient).

Left car about 1330 and took a new route up to the moorland as forest works were underway.

A big black cloud emerged and a blizzard soon set in by the time the benches were reached. Goggles on and all other gear too:)

snow by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

As I reached Loch a' Choire the blizzard started to pass but the wind was picking up. I rounded the corned and startled a couple of Ptarmigan and upon reaching the spot were they fled I was treated to this lovely feathry outline

Feathers by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

Cloud still shrouded Vrackie but as I ascended the skies stated to turn blue. Behind me the remnants of the snow shower were now fleeing southwards!!

panorama cloud burst by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

As I got higher the snow also started to get deeper - thy deep in some of the lee ward dips and hollows! Soon the summit was in view.

Sun lowering by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

crags by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

DSC03684 by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

The views were amazing although it was rather breezy on top.....

Lovely light on Beinn a Ghlo to the North

ghlo12 by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

ghlo by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

And back cross to the eastern summits...

DSC03696 by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

and out west...

sky by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

sunset Vrackie west by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

I noticed the sun was lowering in the sky - time to head home before it got dark...

Some sunset shots on descent..... you can see the spindrift on the hill, indicating it was still breezy...

sun down3 by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

DSC03698 by mountains MJVW, on Flickr

Got back to the car just as dusk was ending !! Been up here loads but I think this was my favourite trip so far


Unusually I have no video report! so I'll make up for it with a couple of oldy but still wintery films from Vrackie

Almost 2 years ago
http://youtu.be/dSkAfcsL9Ys?list=UUJyJKu3ysdceGqK_JaZFUNA

3 years ago

http://youtu.be/xSpJLwVKS3c?list=UUJyJKu3ysdceGqK_JaZFUNA

[dogplodder]

Obviously a favourite hill of yours and yet again you've captured it beautifully.

[PeteR]

Superb

To think I was up on Vuirich a couple of weekends back and there was no snow at all. Lots of blue sky though

Seeing the quantity of snow in your photos is certainly food for thought for this weekend.

[wilkiemurray]

Obviously a favourite hill of yours and yet again you've captured it beautifully.

Thanks DP- A real favourite - so easily accessible when the road conditions are a little suspect. Was up again yesterday! Got lots of character this wee hill

ATB

Murray

[wilkiemurray]

Superb

To think I was up on Vuirich a couple of weekends back and there was no snow at all. Lots of blue sky though

Seeing the quantity of snow in your photos is certainly food for thought for this weekend.

Yeah loads of snow this week.

Went up again yesterday and not see so much soft snow on Vrackie. Took areal effort to break trail through, robably worse lower down before the loach as the wind hadn't scoured the snow - typically knee deep but some places I was up to my waist!!!

Be melting today though!!

ATB

Murray

[litljortindan]

Some great pictures there.

[Huff_n_Puff]

Lovely - Ben Vrackie as I've never seen it

[Beaner001]

Superb Murray, really looking forward to this hill, great pics again, love the Ptarmigan outline pic!

[wilkiemurray]

Some great pictures there.

Thanks - felt like a great smash and grab act

got lucky with the lowering sun - great views from a great hill

ATB

Murray

[wilkiemurray]

Lovely - Ben Vrackie as I've never seen it

should have seen it 5 days later!! a lot more snow on the hill

[wilkiemurray]

Superb Murray, really looking forward to this hill, great pics again, love the Ptarmigan outline pic!

Thanks BEANER

Just looked at the outline and snapped with the IPHONE - wasn't sure how it would come out but a different shot anyhoos

ATB

Murray

[Sarah86]

Beautiful set of photos, the light hitting off the snow is lovely.