An early season spell of good high level coverage of loose fresh snow was followed by 100mph plus winds last Thursday before the freezing level rose above the summits. Subsequent thaw / freeze cycling has left a promising early season base, if it can survive this weekends mild and wild spell.
Photos: [
www.winterhighland.info] .
Notable is the Ciste Gully having the burn filled in pretty much to the level of the old boardwalk, so an interesting question is how does today compare to some notably good winter seasons?
^Coire na Ciste on Wed 14th Dec 2023
^Coire na Ciste on 16th January 2001
^Coire na Ciste on 6th December 2009
So we have a base in the Ciste almost a full month earlier than in the 2001 season and we have more snow in the Ciste overall than at this stage in 2009/10.
One thing that is noticeable in the above images, is the Piste Basher engaged in active snow management in the January 2001 shot moving snow down the gully to fill in then bolster coverage at a couple of regular problem spots!
Now hopefully that has not cursed things given the weekend forecast!
Edited 1 times. Last edit at 00.14hrs Thu 14 Dec 23 by alan.
