Windy & Thawing

The Cairngorms from Meall a'Bhuachaille, March 12

The Cairngorms from Strathspey, March 10

Frost and sunshine and snow dominated the early part of the last week, the days cold, crisp and clear. This all changed as the weekend approached. Temperatures rose, the snow shrank, clouds descended, the days became mild and wet and windy.

Wanting a hill walk despite the change in the weather two of us went up Meall a'Bhuachaille above Glenmore, always a good walk on days when conditions are unsettled. There were still large snow drifts across the path in places but most of the snow had gone and what was left was soft. The ground was saturated. As we climbed the wind picked up and picked up until it was threatening to knock us off our feet as we reached the summit. I recorded speeds up to 42mph on my anenometer. 30mph is when the wind starts to affect walking in my experience. The temperature up here at 800 metres was +5C.








 

A brisk descent took us down the at times icy path to the shelter of the forest. We were only out three hours. It was enough. Next week the weather is forecast to return to sunshine and gentle winds. A longer venture beckons.

Descending from Meall a'Bhuachaille