Beinn Dearg from Ben Wyvis

Ben Wyvis looked plastered with snow from Abriachan yesterday, so C, L and I took our skis over there today. I was on more robust touring skis, which can clamp the heel down, rather than X-country Telemark skis on which the heel is free, C+L were on Telemark skis.  The snow was disappointing lower down and L choose to do forest tracks rather than head for the summit. C and I went on, but there was a lot of heather at first, C developed a bad blister and stopped at about 750 metres, and waited for me while I went up to the main ridge. It was further than I thought so I stopped on the summit ridge, where I took this blip of Beinn Dearg, but didn't go to the trig point. Skiing down proved to be hard too --- there was crust of windslab and sastrugi (irregular ridges in the snow caused by wind) which made conditions difficult and I fell over twice!  As we continued down Clare made it look easy with her elegant Telemark turns, but I found it hard going. There was a number of skiers on the hill who all looked much more in control that I was, but everyone we spoke to said the conditions were difficult.

Forecast for tomorrow is for a rapid thaw later in the day and much warmer temperatures next week, so I fear that will be the end of the snow.