(Above) The sight of helicopters in the mountains always seems to be a harbinger of bad news. Not so today at Aberarder farmhouse. SNH are doing a deer count with two helicopters in order to gather accurate data on deer numbers in and close to the Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve. Deer do immense damage to young birch trees and saplings by browsing, and SNH try to balance acceptable browsing damage against deer numbers by culling every year. Year-round surveying and detailed measuring of trees/saplings plus a thorough deer count allows them to develop an algorithm which will determine cull numbers.
(Above) Coire Chriochairein, in a brief break in the mist. The helicopter shot over the skyline shortly before the photo was taken.
(Above) The Post Face. Coire Ardair. Two climbers - just visible - in South Post. A good choice today but less so tomorrow. Blue ice developing in many places at the moment.
(Above) 'Oui, Oui' nr Newtonmore. Photo taken from the Glentruim road. The lower part of the ice is quite a good training area when the weather is bad in higher, more remote places.
(Above) Lens hood found on the main Coire Ardair path today. Any claimants? Contact the SAIS office, say what brand it is, leave your details and I'll post it out to you.
