SAIS Northern Cairngorms Blog

A sunny day

14th April 2021

Covid -19

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service issues information to support permitted activity under current Scottish Government guidance.

Please be aware of current mandatory travel restrictions inÂ Local AuthorityÂ areas within Scotland and respect local communities by referring toÂ Scottish Government guidanceÂ and safe route choices for exercise. For further guidance please refer to the following information forÂ hillwalkers and climbersÂ andÂ snowsports on ski and board.

This blog is intended to provide hazard and mountain condition information to help plan safer mountain trips.

High pressure conditions continue giving dry and sunny weather. The high pressure is set to last until at least Saturday. The freezing level rose to just above the summits today. Snow became increasingly soft particularly on steeper slopes exposed to the sun. The snowpack is beginning to thaw and diminish however cover remains good on Summit plateau areas.

Looking across the plateau to Ben Macdui. The slopes in view in this picture are generally North and East facing where cover is good.

Looking back towards Cairngorm where the South facing slope on the right provides a route from the summit to Coire Raibeirt. There is also good cover on the East facing slopes out of the photo (pictures on yesterdays blog)

Looking back towards Cairngorm from Cairn Lochan. West facing slopes hold less snow, a route over the ridge from Coire Raibeirt to Coire Domhain can still be found on ski with good route choice, otherwise a short walk may be required.

Looking across to Braeriach from Cairn Lochan, again good snow cover on the high plateau.

Looking back towards Coire an Lochain, roller ball activity can be observed below the crags in both the coire on the left, and below crags on the left hand side of the main coire.

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