Incipient thaw…
7th December 2025
The temperatures at the summit of Cairn Gorm have been generally above freezing today heralding an incipient thaw. The later part of the night was clear resulting in a radiation freeze giving “firm” conditions under foot initially, at summit and plateau level at least.
Of note, the weather station is actually returning temperatures just below freezing (late afternoon). However, we often get erroneous data when the thick rime ice starts to melt from the structure. The rime was certainly dripping at 10am!
The snowpack will become increasingly moist tomorrow and will slowly thaw, resulting in snow loss at lover elevations. Cornices will remain untrustworthy and present the threat of collapse. This is particularly the case for those which saw rapid development under strong South-Easterly winds e.g. ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ etc.
The cornice and scarp slopes of ‘Jacob’s Ladder’. Note the footsteps in the photo which are only visible to the last exposed rocks. I wonder if exit tracks have been subsequently blown in or somebody had to reverse their steps?…
A party on the crest of Fiacaill Ridge. The crags were superficially white today but the sound of ice and rock fall was ever present.
Looking north to a small solitary snow patch close to the summit of Meall a’Bhuachaille.
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