A WET Beinn Eighe.

 

Saturday was not the best on Beinn Eighe! At least the hill was not overcrowded.

 

Below; Looking North Westwards from Coire an Laoigh towards Spidean Coire nan Clach. Rain streaming down the hill....and the camera lens. 

 

 

Highlight of the day was certainly the coffee in The Whisltestop Cafe in Kinlochewe that reopened this week after being closed for the winter.

Freezing level forecast to fall below the summits on Tuesday.

WET,WET,WET ! and windy

Descending from Beinne Eighe - Creag Dhubh

Soft snow to summit levels - clear mostly but very windy

Dry, Cool Temperatures and Calm

Weekend avalanche forecasts will be issued on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th March

Beinn Eighe - Sgurr nan Fhir Duibhe from Kinlochewe

Liathach

Liathach - Coireag Dubh Mor

Coire Laoigh, Beinn Eighe

Saturday moning in Glen Torridon was better than expected! Predominantly dry with bright sunny intervals. Heavy going in deep wet snow at lower elevations but around minus two on the tops.

 

 The East end of Beinn Eighe. Looking uo to the shattered quartzite pinnacles of the Black Carls'. 

A very quiet start to the day. Very few visitors about in the glen. Lovely light and views. Caledonian Pines with Sgurr Dubh above right.

The benefits of local knowledge and a very wet Coire allt an Tuill Bhain on Liathach

 

A very very wet day in Torridon but yet more snow above 800 metres.

 

Looking down from around 500 metres on the west end of Liatach to the sheets of rain blowing through the glen.

 Higher up at the profile site during a brief lull in the weather. Snow falling above 800 metres... and lots of it. 

Heavy going from 400 metres where the snow starts. (Even allowing for short legs).

                                    
Local knowledge is always useful. SAIS Forecaster Cube talks to Eoghan Maclean, Reserve Manager for the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. Eoghan was involved in Mountain Rescue across Scotland for 38 years till his retirement a few months ago as Torridon Team Leader. 
Thanks to Eoghan and his team for all the support they give to SAIS.

Coire na Ba and avalanche on Beinn Bhan

 

Very wet and melting at all levels overnight. Snow heading to the sea. 

 The bridge over the Russel Burn, Cioch nose in the background.

 

However, the temperature dropped rapidly during the morning. Precipitation turned to snow catching several vehicles out on Bealach na Ba road. Cavalry came quickly to the rescue. Thanks!

Looking back down towards Loch Kishorn from about 500 metres on Bealach na Ba road.



Coire na Poite on Beinn Bhan below. Large avalanche observed here about 12.30. 100 metres wide. Debris flowed for at least 20 seconds. What looks like icefalls (lower left centre) is the last remenants flowing down the hill.



A lovely day on Liathach ridge

Making our way up the 'normal' route from Coire Liath Mhor to the summit ridge. This route is exposed to ice or snow fall during a thaw or in sunny conditions later in the season.

 Looking east to the summit of Stuc a'Choire Dubh Bheag. Small cornices over south facing slopes.

 

 Looking along the main ridge of Liathach.

Lovely views north-west to Sail Mhor and Beinn na Eoin.