Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Capricious Spring

(Above) Wet slab avalanche debris at the bottom end of Raeburn's Gully in Coire Ardair. Rain on snow avalanches in Coire Ardair today - Raeburn's and in 'Cinderella' in the Inner Coire. Raeburn's was choked with new debris, you can't see it all in the photo because the cameraman had those unmistakeable 'trouser-filling' feelings and so beat a hasty retreat. All the avalanches ran from about 900m - stability was better higher up as it had been a little cooler with sleet above that altitude.

(Above) Raeburn's from a bowel-friendly distance. There are a few smears of ice here and there but nothing subtantial on primary routes. Strafed by falling ice for a time immediately below the gully.
(Above) The Post Face and the Inner Coire. Opening pitches of Centre Post complete if a little thin and narrow but the waterfall at the bottom end of Staghorn tells you everything you need to know.

Full depth avalanche on Sron a Ghoire trundled in to life today, this time closer to the ascent/descent path. Nasty-looking weather in prospect for Thursday with plenty of snow.

As you can see, it was quite pleasant between showers.