181 replies to this topic

[firefly]

Sorry I haven't updated this thread for a while!

So, where are we in terms of snow-patches? Firstly, the final snow in England (on Helvellyn) melted around the 15th May, for all those interested.

Secondly, we're now into June and I was concerned that Scotland's most southerly snow-patch would be the Cuidhe Chrom on Ben More, Crianlarich (one of not many snow-patches in Scotland to have its own name on Ordnance Survey maps: see attached picture. Cuidhe Chrom means 'crooked wreath', which is very appropriate to the snow there). In 2008 at this time the most southerly snow in Scotland was on Beinn Ime, near Loch Lomond, but with less snow this year than last I was concerned that it wouldn't persist into June. To my surprise, the snow has persisted into June (just!), and is visible as a small patch on the right-hand mountain in this picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28183399@N03/...57617244267543/

After this melts then the Cuidhe Chrom will take the position of Britain's most southerly snow-patch. However, unlike last year, it is very unlikely to last into July. I visited it last year on the 30th June and it was still over 100m long. If it's still there on the 30th this year then it will have done well!

After this melts then the Cuidhe Chrom will take the position of Britain's most southerly snow-patch. However, unlike last year, it is very unlikely to last into July. I visited it last year on the 30^th June and it was still over 100m long. If it's still there on the 30^th this year then it will have done well!

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by firefly, 03 June 2009 - 08:33 .

[firefly]

The forecasted cold spell coming from the north has, as predicted, deposited some snow on the top of the Cairngorms (see attached). Not a huge amount, but the forecast is for more over the course of the next 24-hours, with the cold spell continuing for the next few days.

Though this will, in all probability, make little material difference to the remaining old snow, the cool weather will stem the rapid melting of the snow that has occurred over the last week or so.

Still massive wreaths in the Cairngorms, with Ben Macdui having a 'patch' about a mile long if taken tip-to-tip. The attached picture (from the 1st June) gives a big foreshortening effect, but allows an idea of what we have on Britain's snowiest mountain.

The other attachment is from the top of Ben Macdui (3rd June) looking across the Lairig Ghru towards Cairn Toul and Braeriach, with Garbh Choire Mor (Britain's longest-lying snow) visible in the centre left (the biggest blob of snow!)

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by firefly, 05 June 2009 - 07:55 .

[firefly]

I can't upload the panorama photograph, but I'll keep trying...

[firefly]

Think ski-ing on fresh snow is over for the season? Think again!

Once again, the redoubtable h11lly (and friends) from winterhighland made the trip up over Cairn Gorm yesterday (7th June) to build a kicker and get some turns in on fresh snow that has now been lying on the high Cairngorms for about 5 days. This is unusual for the time of year, as fresh snow can melt rapidly in June. The snow has now been lying for 5-days, and may have had an effect on the ptarmigan that are sitting on their eggs. Some may have abandoned the nests, but many of the hardier birds will sit tight, waiting for the thaw.

The forecast is for cool, dry weather to continue late into the week, which is good for snow-patch retention. Minimal melt in the last week, after a few days of scorching weather.

h11lly's outing can be found here: http://www.winterhig...dex.php?50,1541

[CatchMyDrift]

firefly, on 3 Jun 2009, 09:28 AM, said:

Secondly, we're now into June and I was concerned that Scotland's most southerly snow-patch would be the Cuidhe Chrom on Ben More, Crianlarich (one of not many snow-patches in Scotland to have its own name on Ordnance Survey maps: see attached picture. Cuidhe Chrom means 'crooked wreath', which is very appropriate to the snow there).

I drove down the A85 yesterday on the scenic route home from Callandar and the large patch on Ben More (Cuidhe Chrom) is still there and fairly big, there are also several smaller patches on the hill directly to the south of Ben More (not sure of the name). I would not be surprised if Cuidhe Chrom is still there over the next few weeks and into July, time will tell. On our last trip down that way a few months ago the snow patch was a massive cornice (sp?) so I can understand why it is a persistent feature. Thanks for your posts firefly I didn't even know that the big pointy hill we drive past is Ben More, I am consistently amazed at how little I know about Scotland to the north of Balloch!! Can you tell me if Ben More is the hill visible from the central belt beyond Ben Lomond, it is in just about the right place. If that makes sense!!

[firefly]

Hi, CMD.

I see you're from Kilmacolm. I was brought up in Port Glasgow, though I now live in Chelmsford, Essex!

The mountain to the south of Ben More is Stob Binnein (the anvil, so called because of its flat top). I was made aware of its still extant snow patches yesterday, though they're very small. Ben More and Stob Binnein are two of the most recognisable mountains in southern Scotland, by virtue of their great height and close proximity. By-the-way, here's a photograph of the patch from yesterday (thanks to Eddie Boyle), showing good depth and length.

As for the general question about whether they're visible from the central belt (to non-Scots, the low-lying land around Glasgow and Edinburgh): yes and no (that is, it depends on where in the central belt you're viewing them from).

If you come down to upper Port Glasgow from the Kilmalcolm road then they're very visible. You can see them (from memory) just as you pass Port Glasgow High School, immediately to the right of Ben Lomond. The lower down you get, the more they're obscured. I'm pretty sure they're not visible from Glasgow, unless you get up high onto Eaglesham Moor or similar. The further east you come towards Edinburgh, the less I'm sure.

If we move farther north (Stirling area) then they become obscured from the road-side by other mountains (most notably, Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin near Lochearnhead), which can be mistaken for Ben More and Stob Binnein, though they're further east (see this photograph, which I think was taken from the Kippen area, and note the 'pointy' similarity).

I suspect the hills you are seeing from the central belt are Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin, but are definitely Ben More and Stob Binnein when viewed from upper Port Glasgow, which is doubtless the view you are most familiar with.

By-the-way, if you were going the scenic route home from Callander past Ben More then that's one heck of a diversion! That said, the drive from Callander up the side of Loch Lubnaig, with Ben Ledi to the left, then passing Lochearnhead and up into Glen Ogle, passing over the top with the stunning views over to Ben Lawers and the Tarmachan ridge, before striking along the A85 towards Crianlarich, is a memorable one, and I envy you!

Edited by firefly, 08 June 2009 - 20:27 .

[shuggee]

firefly, on 8 Jun 2009, 09:23 PM, said:

...but are definitely Ben More and Stob Binnein when viewed from upper Port Glasgow, which is doubtless the view you are most familiar with.

Do you mean the views from Bardrainney?! If you look at the view, the kids would be away with your car's wheels

The husband (who's from the Gibby) says Upper Bogston (pmsl) has much better views

[firefly]

Haha!

No, upper Port Glasgow has better views than Greenock to Ben More. There's less high ground to interrupt the line of sight.

Just as an addendum to my last post, the view of Ben More and Stob Binnein are blocked from Glasgow by the Campsie Fells, but once you are on the other side of them (looking across Flanders Moss), they become very visible. If you know what you are looking at, this photograph shows the Campsies in the distance (to the left of Stob Binnein), with the knobbly peak of Dumgoyne visible on their right hand extremity. This is the range that blocks the direct line of sight.

Edited by firefly, 08 June 2009 - 20:47 .

[CatchMyDrift]

firefly, on 8 Jun 2009, 09:23 PM, said:

I suspect the hills you are seeing from the central belt are Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin, but are definitely Ben More and Stob Binnein when viewed from upper Port Glasgow, which is doubtless the view you are most familiar with.

By-the-way, if you were going the scenic route home from Callander past Ben More then that's one heck of a diversion! That said, the drive from Callander up the side of Loch Lubnaig, with Ben Ledi to the left, then passing Lochearnhead and up into Glen Ogle, passing over the top with the stunning views over to Ben Lawers and the Tarmachan ridge, before striking along the A85 towards Crianlarich, is a memorable one, and I envy you!

100% meant the view coming down the A761 from Kilmacolm to Port Glasgow. In the last two weeks the air has been so clear up this way, usually you are lucky to see the far side of the Clyde, let alone 60-70 miles. At most times in the last two weeks not only has Tinto Hill to the far south-west of Glasgow been visible from the back roads but what I now know to be Ben More and Stob Binnein have been visible. As for the "diversion" it happened by accident leaving Callander on our second visit last year. I couldn't get turned right out of the Meadows at Callander and told MrsCatch that we could go via Crianlarich and "it won't take much longer honest". It is at least a 40 mile detour on a 65 mile journey, but she now demands we take that route. It is such a nice drive, past Lochearnhead, over Glen Ogle with the Victorian railway viaduct. Amazing. We do that drive about four times a year now, with the boys invariably sleeping in the back!!


Just to add to where these hills are visible from, probably only from the back roads up my way, Ben Lomond can only be seen westwards of Paisley. Many of the big hills can be seen from the moors above Kilmacolm, some of which I cannot identify lie to the north and west of Ben More and Stob Binnein, but it is really unusual to have any visual range in the west of Scotland. The clear views have been quite exceptional in the last two weeks, I can't get over how amazing it has been.

Edited by CatchMyDrift, 08 June 2009 - 22:30 .

[CatchMyDrift]

shuggee, on 8 Jun 2009, 09:27 PM, said:

Do you mean the views from Bardrainney?! If you look at the view, the kids would be away with your car's wheels

The husband (who's from the Gibby) says Upper Bogston (pmsl) has much better views

Some of the best views are from the back road between Langbank and Port Glasgow, looking up towards Ben Lomond, then again from above Port Glasgow. There are also some points on the back road to Greenock from Kilmacolm which command views south-east of 60 miles and north of 60-80 miles. Quite spectacular really. When it is not cloudy/raining/drizzly. Which is about 4 times in a normal year

I would love to go up the "high" hills in Inverclyde which are all of 550m (approx) as the views north, south, east and west must cover a radius of 20-60 miles.

[davehsug]

CatchMyDrift, on 8 Jun 2009, 11:25 PM, said:

100% meant the view coming down the A761 from Kilmacolm to Port Glasgow. In the last two weeks the air has been so clear up this way, usually you are lucky to see the far side of the Clyde, let alone 60-70 miles. At most times in the last two weeks not only has Tinto Hill to the far south-west of Glasgow been visible from the back roads but what I now know to be Ben More and Stob Binnein have been visible. As for the "diversion" it happened by accident leaving Callander on our second visit last year. I couldn't get turned right out of the Meadows at Callander and told MrsCatch that we could go via Crianlarich and "it won't take much longer honest". It is at least a 40 mile detour on a 65 mile journey, but she now demands we take that route. It is such a nice drive, past Lochearnhead, over Glen Ogle with the Victorian railway viaduct. Amazing. We do that drive about four times a year now, with the boys invariably sleeping in the back!!


Just to add to where these hills are visible from, probably only from the back roads up my way, Ben Lomond can only be seen westwards of Paisley. Many of the big hills can be seen from the moors above Kilmacolm, some of which I cannot identify lie to the north and west of Ben More and Stob Binnein, but it is really unusual to have any visual range in the west of Scotland. The clear views have been quite exceptional in the last two weeks, I can't get over how amazing it has been.

Ah, Tinto hill. That is one of my favourites. I remember it well from my few journeys into Scotland. I had cause to deliver quite close to it one day & was surprised how small & dissapointing it is when you are close to it!

[RAIN RAIN RAIN]

Fresh snow in June, how often does that occur?

[firefly]

RAIN RAIN RAIN, on 9 Jun 2009, 12:36 AM, said:

Fresh snow in June, how often does that occur?

Not uncommon at all.

Last year it snowed on Ben Nevis on the 20th June, and on the Cairngorms around the 13th (if memory serves me correctly). 2007 it snowed in June, too. July snows are not unknown, though rare. August is the month when least snow falls, though it has happened on the highest hills.

CMD, the hills "to the north and west" of Ben More, when viewed from the Port Glasgow-Langbank road, are the Ben Lui hills beside Tyndrum. I'm not sure how many of the hills are visible, but Ben Lui certainly is prominent. In fact, you can see it from the mate when passing Dumbarton rock, looking up the length of Loch Lomond. A good 35-37 mile line of sight.

[Mark H]

davehsug, on 9 Jun 2009, 12:18 AM, said:

Ah, Tinto hill. That is one of my favourites. I remember it well from my few journeys into Scotland. I had cause to deliver quite close to it one day & was surprised how small & dissapointing it is when you are close to it!

LOL,I live 5 mins away from Tinto and it does seem to get smaller the closer you get to it,however its quite a steep walk for such a small hill (2300ft i think),and the views on a fine day can be spectacular.

[firefly]

My last post should have read M-8 (as in the motorway), but the zany text-changer on this forum converted my assumed text speak!

[firefly]

RAIN RAIN RAIN, on 9 Jun 2009, 12:36 AM, said:

Fresh snow in June, how often does that occur?

From the 16th June 2008, on Braeriach. Note how the snow has fallen on Braeriach, but not on Cairn Toul, which is slightly farther south. This often happens when the snow comes from the north.

This photograph shows the last recorded snow of the 'old' 2008 season, which fell on Ben Nevis on the 20th June 2008. The next fall of snow (recorded) was in September.

[Norrance]

FAO Firefly [or others in the know].

I often spend spend a week or so visiting relatives in the Spey valley in Aviemore or in Kingussie in the Scottish School Summer holidays. I can remember snow falling on the higher peaks above about 3500 feet in the second week of July in one fairly recent year and a fairly cold week even on lower ground. I can't remember which year it was though. Perhaps 2004/5/6?

Any ideas?

Going to be up there this year for a couple of days in early July and will try to get up to tops before heading across to Skye.

Despite many visits to the area I have never seen August snow falling though I believe it has happened. I have seen snow in earlyish September though to relatively low levels.

Edit. I am going to be up at Loch Tay this wekend so will have a look out for the Ben Lawers / Glen Lyon and also Ben More snow patches if the skies are clear.

Edited by Norrance, 09 June 2009 - 18:53 .

[CatchMyDrift]

firefly, on 9 Jun 2009, 06:58 AM, said:

CMD, the hills "to the north and west" of Ben More, when viewed from the Port Glasgow-Langbank road, are the Ben Lui hills beside Tyndrum. I'm not sure how many of the hills are visible, but Ben Lui certainly is prominent. In fact, you can see it from the mate when passing Dumbarton rock, looking up the length of Loch Lomond. A good 35-37 mile line of sight.

That line of sight extends away down to this neck of the woods, towards Lochwinnoch which is 7 miles south and east of here. Just a shame that it's hardly ever clear enough to see. If I ever get the time I'll take a few maps and work out for certain which hills can be seen from down here, it is a nice sight in winter time to see snow with the naked eye, even if it is many miles away and thousands of feet up.

Norrance: If you get a sight of Ben More you will see the snow patch from that direction (Loch Tay), I would think it will be there for at least two or three weeks more.

Edited by CatchMyDrift, 10 June 2009 - 17:28 .

[SnOwFeSt]

Hi, I'll be heading up ben nevis a week on saturday. Could anyone who has been up there recently let me know the chances that I will see some snow up there? I know it snowed there last weekend, but I imagine this will have melted away by next weekend. Are there still quite a few patches from winter left in this area? Thanks.

[firefly]

Oh, you'll see snow alright!

Here's one from a couple of days ago: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dooj/36097770...57619482688068/

Still in excess of 1500ft of unbroken snow on the north face!