Arrochar Alps Conditions Update

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 barbeg 10 Mar 2014
Hi All,
Was guiding on Ben Vane today so thought I would give those interested an update on conditions.....

A very alpine day with sun and rising temperatures. Snow has burned back to circa 700m, and this is wet and sugary up until 800m, where the snowpack is much firmer and bearing bodyweight. The snowpack is sitting on sodden turf/grass which is running with water - no ground freeze whatsoever until 900m, but the air temperature was 8.4 c ! There was some fresh snow last night above 800m, about 5-10 cm, and this has formed some unstable wind slab pockets overlying the snow pack. Only minimal ice at 900m and none evident on the crag faces.
Some massive holes in the snowpack, several of which I had to inspect closer (ahem......), and some large creep lines where there are reduced cornices over the tops of gullies and steep slopes. Clear evidence of recent avalanche activity on A' Chrois ( N aspect), Beinn Ime (N & E aspects), Beinn Narnain (N aspect).
Actually, a really nice day given how bad the recent weather has been - didn't need the waterproofs once!
ANdy
OP barbeg 11 Mar 2014
In reply to Andrew Mallinson:

Ben Donich, Arrochar, today...

What a difference a day makes to conditions......
Frozen at all levels this morning.....and remained so all day in shaded locations. Whilst guiding on Ben Donich, axe and crampons were required on the extensive and hard snowfields. Remaining snowpack frozen hard (neve !) at all levels, with surface only softening in the afternoon sun!
Bogs and paths frozen, dry, warm and sunny ! Big gullies could be good in a few days if this carries on......
ANdy
OP barbeg 25 Mar 2014
In reply to Andrew Mallinson:

...on Beinn an Lochain with a client today so an update on conditions...
Fresh snow down to 525m but wet at this level so it was soggy and sugary. More consistent fresh wet snow above 675m which has collected in N through to E aspects overlying the older snowpack (which is neve) presenting some interesting route choices! Only freezing above 750m but the summit arĂȘte and many of the northern corrie gullies are solid with some ice present.
ANdy
In reply to Andrew Mallinson:

Thanks for the post! Am I right in assuming that the turf is unfrozen under the fresh? Was there much neve on MG?

Thanks

AD
OP barbeg 25 Mar 2014
In reply to Northern Mountain Monkey:

Hi Mate,
Turf only frozen above 750m where exposed - under the snow it is still soft turf....it's never been cold enough all winter to freeze it and then it's been insulated by the snow.

MG?

ANdy
 LakesWinter 25 Mar 2014
In reply to Andrew Mallinson:

monolith Grooves?
OP barbeg 27 Mar 2014
In reply to Andrew Mallinson:

On Beinn Ime today, so an update on conditions....

Freezing from 675m upwards, both underfoot and air temp. Light snow covering overnight. Snow showers on and off during the day. Snow pack, which is still extensive above 700m, is now frozen solid with iron neve. Some hoar on rocks above 800m.
Many routes, particularly the easier lines/gullies remain complete and are now in good condition, including those on the NE Face of Cobbler North Peak, NNW Corrie of Beinn Narnain, and the routes on Beinn Ime look outstanding just now.
Winter is still hanging on !!!
ANdy

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