Northern Cairngorms Blog & Mountain Info

Looking south over the hinterlands to the ‘Southern Cairngorms’ SAIS Area from Beinn Mheadhoin. ‘Derry Cairngorm’ is visible in the the centre with the coire rim of ‘Coire Sputan Dearg’ on the right hand side. [I must read up on the tors on Beinn Mheadhoin as they appear to show pseudobedding which is an inconvenient observation inconsistent with their formation in an igneous pluton]. This is probably as “thin” as cover on the plateau got, just needed to walk through the boulders and snow patches could be linked again, thankfully facilitating my progress.

A different view of Loch Avon from the eastern end. ‘Shelter Stone Crag’ is visible just left of centre bounded by ‘Castlegates Gully’ to the left. The crags of ‘Stag Rocks’ and ‘Stac an Fharaidh’ appear on the right hand side.

A larger (size 2-3) avalanche which is just visible in the image. This is a glide slab avalanche (full depth) due to ductile flow of the snowpack. This is actually a common location due to granite slabs just to the west of ‘The Saddle’ and was reported in March.

It was fairly warm directly in the sun today on sheltered southerly aspects. Note the roller ball activity initiated by the ski tracks as the snow on the surface has become slightly more humid due to solar radiation.