Latest mountain conditions

These are posted as and when I have the time or information. Climbers are welcome to let me know what they find anywhere in Scotland, and I will try and post this information also. Links to other relevant sites are at the top and foot of this page. Important links as follows:

Snow Event at Sea Level

Monday, 27 October 2008

From a 'Met-Mole'

Watch tomorrow with interest, there could be a significant dump of snow over the north and east. A bit more than "snow over the hills". Less sure it will reach the west coast in any quantity.

"This most probably does look like a polar low formation with very cold air on it's west and southern flanks.
850mb (@ 1200m) temps are widely -10C at midday (GFS) and 925mb temps (UKMO) of -5C @700m, plus very strong winds. Conservatively that puts the freezing level down at 200-300m, lower in downdrafts in the deeply unstable air and with snow very likely to fall down to +2/+3 that looks like a snow event at sea level in the north and east."

Looks good for some early season 'scratchings' on the Speyside Granite outcrops:-) The cold weather looks set to continue into November.


posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 09:40  1 comments
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Rough Guide Recognition

Sunday, 26 October 2008



October 14, 2008


Hello,

I am writing to let you know that your company has been specially recommended in the Rough Guide to Ultimate Adventures, published in September 2008.

As you may know, Rough Guides is one of the most successful and respected travel brands in the world, with over 300 travel guides in print. We have a reputation for good writing, accuracy and honesty, and the inclusion of the very best that a destination has to offer in terms of hotels, restaurants, cafes and other businesses and services. To find out more about please log onto Rough Guides

Only a few companies qualify for a special recommendation of this kind, which highlights your company as one of our authors favorites. I’m attaching an eLogo advertising that you are Rough Guides Recommended, which you might like to display in a prominent position on your website. I have also attached a copy of the book jacket for your reference.

If you are interested in purchasing copies of the guide or discussing promotional opportunities please do get in contact by e-mailing marketing@roughguides.com

Yours,

Ragini Govind

PR & Marketing Support Coordinator

Rough Guides


posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 12:03  0 comments
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Weather with Attitude

Friday, 24 October 2008

For those of us (the majority?) who really do want some snow on the hills, the next four or five days will not be disappointing. Hurricane force winds from a northerly direction should do the job nicely. As I shall be heading a long way south, please keep me up to speed with photos and stories of your considerable UK adventures.


posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 21:19  0 comments
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Snowy in the West

Wednesday, 22 October 2008

A fair amount of snow down to 700 metres and very unsettled and windy weather heading in from the Atlantic







posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 17:57  0 comments
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Cairngorm Tripping

Monday, 20 October 2008

We are now really into the autumnal weather patterns and colours. No snow at all to speak of at the moment, but splendid colours on the mountains. A recent trip traversing the Cairngorm plateau shows what it is like just now.

Stag Rocks opposite the Shelter Stone crag.


Ben Macdui summit last Thursday.

Coire an't Sneachda last Thursday.

A fine wee 'doss' at the Hutchison Memorial Hut. Two places on a bench to sleep, plus floor space. Cramped with eight people, but fortunately we only had three folk for the night.


Creagan a' Coire Etchachan. Good rock and ice climbing venue.

Hutchison Memorial hut.

We journeyed over to the Shelter Stone bivouac, where we were able to actually pitch our small Voyager tent beneath the large bivvy rock. It was still a pretty cold night!

Beinn Mheadhoin

View across the Feith Buidhe towards Shelter Stone crag and Carn Etchachan.

Light and shadow and autumn colours on Beinn Mheadhoin.


Above Loch Avon and the Sheter Stone behind.

The Shelter Stone bivouac boulder is the largest rock above Jon's head and slightly right, with a white mark on the top.

Loch Morlich and the Spey valley.

Glen Nevis yesterday.


posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 11:24  0 comments
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A Fine Weekend

Sunday, 12 October 2008

Yesterday was a pretty good day, especially late on in the afternoon. Most of the snow has gone from Ben Nevis for the time being. The autumn colours are splendid just now, so long as another gale of wind does not blow them away.


The 'Mountain Path' on Ben Nevis was very busy.

We took the much quieter route (Ledge Route) to the plateau before joining the throng. This is a fine way up the mountain for people with a good head for heights. The technical difficulty is low, but route finding to the foot of the scramble might prove tricky in misty weather. My preferred approach is from above Moonlight Gully Buttress and traverse over Number Five Gully. This avoids the slippy slab and rubble of the following grassy gully line on the entrance from the foot of Number Five Gully.

CIC HutThe extension on the CIC Hut is progressing.

CIC Hut


posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 18:06  0 comments
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Mild and Wet again

Thursday, 9 October 2008

The mild and damp airstream looks set to return for a while. Saturday may be a better day.


posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 19:54  0 comments
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Children's Book

Monday, 6 October 2008

A good friend of mine and fellow mountain guide Mark Seaton has just published a book all about guiding adventures, aimed at the younger generation As Christmas is just around the corner, why not consider this as a gift for the children? Also a novel stocking-filler for your partner. Well done Mark.


Walter the Bernese Mountain Dog. Leo MkII.


posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 17:20  2 comments
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Cold and Clear

Sunday, 5 October 2008

Rannoch WallA really splendid day today and many folk out on Rannoch Wall and Curved Ridge taking advantage of the clarity and Autumn light. It was 'nippy' though!

Agag's GrooveQueues at the foot of Agag's Groove.

Curved RidgeA steady stream of folk on Curved Ridge.

Bidean nam BianThe view towards Bidean nam Bean from the summit of Buachaille Etive Mor. A dusting of snow remains on the highest summits.

Curved RidgeCurved Ridge, upper section.


posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 19:54  0 comments
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Wild Weather in the morning

Saturday, 4 October 2008

This morning the weather is very, very vile. The hills saw the first fall of autumn snow down to below 600 metres over the last 48 hours. More snow is expected on the trailing edge of the current vigorous frontal system, but it will not last too long. Yesterday, as can be seen by the photo taken in Glen Nevis was settled.

Tomorrow looks like a good but windy day. Monday will start to turn milder.



After 1200 the weather cleared completely to produce a simply wonderful autumn afternoon.

Yesterday in Glen Nevis.


posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 10:22  0 comments
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© Alan Kimber, Calluna, Heathercroft, Fort William, PH33 6RE, Scotland
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