Aaargh, legs are completely dead after yesterday's battle with drifts and ruts but screw it, I'm going out anyway. Was not expecting last night's dump, we got probably another 4 inches and it lay instantly.
Not long back from a mini lunch time ski tour in the Pentlands. Some fantastic powder around where it's drifted, though still need to pick where to go. Hopefully more overnight and tomorrow then hopefully get a longer trip in Thurs morning.
@Northwind - good luck, it's pretty deep in places!
That was ace, ride of two halves- very heavy snow and bad visibility at maiden's cleugh (got almost to the bottom, decided my route was a bad idea, pushed back over- the west side was quite stomped down but I think everyone had turned left and gone around harbour hill instead of over to glencorse as it was almost untouched on that side). Then a spell of lovely blue skies while playing around in the woods at the reservoirs, got almost home, decided to do one more climb and descent and back in a snowstorm... Puggled now but absolutely ace.
Also got my first crash of 2021 out of the way. And the second one. And arguably the third though I think it was more a full body dab since we never actually stopped moving.
Bloody horrific walking round Loch an Eilein today. There is a very shiny layer of ice and a thin powdery layer of snow over it. Normally that would work well but it's been so cold (highs of - 4c, lows of - 12c) that the snow won't bond to the ice.
Snowplough guy couldn't make it through yesterday as the snow has frozen and the 'walls' on either side means there's nowhere for it to go. He turned up in his digger today to finish off yesterday's job. Took about 30 minutes to dig the car out - weird driving single track roads with the snow banked higher than the car.
It's about a metre deep around the edges of the fields - I climbed up onto the fence and jumped in! Might try wading my way up to the top field tomorrow.
There's been some avalanches today on some of the south facing slopes on the hill where they've caught the sun. Watched someone doing some lovely linked turns through the powder on Ben Rinnes - not at all envious 😍
dovebiker
Full Memberweird driving single track roads with the snow banked higher than the car.
It's when you meet someone coming the other way and think hmm, how far will one of us have to reverse? About a mile?
Tesla skittles anyone?
https://twitter.com/des_tinney/status/1358891359088881664?s=21
If only there was someone running along with a broom in front....
Round the corner from my old office. Every time there is snow some fanny thinks they have a magical car which can defy gravity... 🤣
It’s when you meet someone coming the other way and think hmm, how far will one of us have to reverse? About a mile?
It's about 2 miles end-to-end - all the pull-ins are banked-up so not even any room to squeeze by. The farmers and gamekeepers just stop, go off into the field so normally you have to reverse and go back around to the main road.
About a mile?
That's the record at my old outdoor centre - just under a mile.
With minibus and trailer....
Had a lovely ski on the xc kit around the farm at lunchtime yesterday and then up onto the wee hills on the north side of the Sidlaws. Great stuff in deep powder, then it absolutely dumped all afternoon. At dusk, took the Fatty out for what turned into an epic slide around in what is now about 15-18" of the lightest powder. Amazing fun riding a steep hill in the trees, guessing where the trail is (or might be..) all the way down. Not so fun the push up before that though, almost knee deep powder on top of a base of older snow that's mostly resilient enough not to break through. Heading out shortly to (try to) drive the Mrs to work; think she's planning on running home off-road later; wish I had the time for that sort of silliness today.
Had a lovely ski on the xc kit around the farm at lunchtime yesterday and then up onto the wee hills on the north side of the Sidlaws. Great stuff in deep powder, then it absolutely dumped all afternoon. At dusk, took the Fatty out for what turned into an epic slide around in what is now about 15-18″ of the lightest powder. Amazing fun riding a steep hill in the trees, guessing where the trail is (or might be..) all the way down. Not so fun the push up before that though, almost knee deep powder on top of a base of older snow that’s mostly resilient enough not to break through. Heading out shortly to (try to) drive the Mrs to work; think she’s planning on running home off-road later; wish I had the time for that sort of silliness today.
Hmmm, this sounds familiar - I think we might know each other!
Anyway yea, just NE of Dundee there's been a fair old dump the last couple of days:
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Not bad...
^There was me thinking I could could take a ride up to The Lecht this weekend!
Someone was having a belter of an afternoon on Ben Rinnes judging by their ski tracks.
We have about a metre in the fields - the snow is at the top of the fences, so no worried about the gates being snowed-in.
It's not snowed for a couple of days but the clear skies have brought some amazing temperatures. Minus 18c here this morning.
National news just said Braemar -22
Those used to be normal winter temps not an exception 😞
The guy that tweeted those videos of the Tesla in Glasgow is my neighbours Son.
Must go and ask for his autograph!
I've been making the most of the snow in the Bathgate Alps, 2 hours yesterday skiing at Cockleroy!
Lovely shot Matt - amazing what drones can do now 😉
Crazy weather here in the East Midlands. Very light dusting here near Derby, but 10-20 miles either side they've had quite a lot. Been watching the snow streamers going either side of us all week on weather radar.
My fault for fitting the Ice Spikers last weekend
Tesla in Glasgow is my neighbours Son.
Must go and ask for his autograph!
Next time tell him to come off the brakes, there was a vague chance he would have then got down the hill
Let us know how long it takes to get his Tesla fixed, or if it’s a write off. It used to be the case that they were impossible to get repaired!
😳
**** sake. Needs a good slap for that.
I can't see the problem...
Another full covering down to street level overnight. I don't expect it to last long but it'll have topped up the hills a wee bit too.
Anyone else?
Was a bit white out-ey here last night but just some streaks/dusting on the Pentlands now. I think I need to accept giving my skis a wax and putting them away until next year.
It's trying here - but it isn't going to settle.
Winter 2021.2 has arrived 🙂
Winter 2021.2 has arrived 🙂
Yip, just checked, my van is covered.
My friend on Skye says it's blowing a gale and snowing today. Yesterday it was sunny and warm apparently!
Blue skies and a dusting here. 👍
Snowing here in Manchester. Correction, stopping now and blue skies....
My friend on Skye says it’s blowing a gale and snowing today. Yesterday it was sunny and warm apparently!
Aye. 15C here yesterday. Currently - 4C.
A bit of snow falling at 7.30 here near Derby but just grey and a bitter wind now
Snowing very gently in Daventry right now.
Had a light coating here ... I almost wish I hadn't removed the roof lining and disconnected the diesel heater from the van yesterday and run out of insulation but sleeping bag was good.
We’ve had a few inches plus it’s quite blowy and -3C here in the Speyside hills - won’t be going anywhere, plus the lazy-ass farmer/snowplough driver doesn’t do mornings.
Black Isle not currently living up to its billing...
Hope the wee lambs are alright...
Slight dusting here.
Just been for a run here in the West Midlands. If not say it’s snowing but it’s blowing around in the air.
Quite pleasant actually.
We’d normally be in Aviemore this week, wish we were !
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One of those typical Scottish spring mornings here - blue skies and sun with snow trickling down...
We had a big dump in West Yorkshire on Sunday night. I've only just managed to escape the house
View from the van this morning (through tinted window - it's not really that dark!)
It’s snowing in sunny Twickenham this morning.
The weather forecast is a lie!
And falling at street level this morning. We’re expecting more this week.
Posted 4 months ago
So. It's getting a bit old now. Snow arrived at street level just before Xmas and it seems we've barely been out of it.
Frequent hail showers yesterday topping up some lying snow, and - 6C again this morning.
Woken up to heavy snow, North Hampshire. Very unexpected indeed
Had 7 inches fall in East Lancs Saturday night, most we've had in a long time. Most of it melted quickly although what's left froze again last night.
Snow showers passing through Aviemore this morning. Can't see the mountains yet as the cloud is too low.
Anyone else?
Polystyrene ball stuff here by the Pentlands. Think it's moving on to rain. I'll not dust off the skis quite yet.
Snow on the hills north Speyside down to about 2000ft - sleety at 1000ft
Slight hijack and a q for scotroutes - the (roadie) boy is hoping to visit Aviemore in the Summer and from my quick look at mapping software, there doesn't appear to be much apart from presumably busy 'A' roads and the odd 'B' road. What are your thoughts please? He does have a gravel bike, would that be a better option? Thank you.
Hi CG. You've got it about right. The A9 and A95 are best avoided so the linear nature of the terrain limits road routes. It's the one thing I miss in moving here. There are a handful of regularly used routes, so not a complete wash-out.
Aviemore-Nethy Bridge is a short favourite. Take in Loch Garten on either the out or the rerun leg.
Aviemore-Dalwhinnie and return is 100km (I should be doing this tomorrow.
Dava Moor loop can be extended as far as desired. The roads north from both Carrbridge and Grantown are both OK.
Tomintoul and back is also OK.
But, I'd bring the gravel bike instead. Lots and lots of good stuff available straight from the door.
Thank you kindly scotroutes. Have been checking out those you've mentioned, the B9007 North of Carrbridge looks interesting and there's potential to include a loop using a section of the Old Military Road. In fact, there seems to be loads of little roads in that area. Is that B9007 fairly quiet?
Is there anywhere in Aviemore to hire a mountain bike from? He doesn't drive so would be getting the train from Glasgow but his gravel bike is so heavy that it might be easier to hire.
There could be enough to to keep him occupied on the road bike for a few days though. Will direct him to your helpful post.
Thanks again.
The B9007 / A939 are both fine for road bikes, the OMR isn't really up to much.
Another, longer, route I enjoy is NCN7 to the Findhorn bridge, up the Strathdearn road to Garbole then the climb up past the windfarm and down to Farr. The B851 then takes you to an underpass at the A9, onto the B9154 and back via NCN7. Few food stops but the Strathdearn Hub in Tomatin is worth a visit.
Oh - an hour gets you from Aviemore to the ski centre car park at Cairngorm. Much quicker on the way back of course 😁
Bothy Bikes and Aviemore Bikes both do MTB rental. There are a couple of others but I'd stick to them.
Feel free to PM / email me.
That long route looks good, quite a climb and pretty exposed around the wind farm. Looks as though the ski centre car park is at a height of 600 metres, wouldn't fancy the return journey with those hairpin bends! Is it really as bad as it looks on the map?!
Terrific info again, many thanks.
The bends are fine, though it was better when the road was closed.
I was up there on Monday
And more fresh snow down to street level this morning! 6 weeks until the nights start drawing in again 😆
OK, this is insane now. Snow in May isn't unheard of but blocking the A9? If this is the new normal I'm going to have to invest in more thermals.
Snowed here too at sea level bit didn't settle.
Y'know I remember someone saying early on it looked like there was a chance of an early finish to winter. I'm 100% blaming them....
My wife said it snowed on the way home from school yesterday. In Cardiff.
Mate was skiing on the Ben and climbing Green Gully this week, came back to the Lakes for kite skiing on Raise yesterday. Interesting May so far.....
There was no snow last night here.
However it was only last week a friend posted up that skiing was over for the season - having skiied up to 10 days ago.
How you doing @patriotpro.
As it's the solstice it seems appropriate to check in on this thread.
I've seen no snow today.
HTH.
I was hoping on an update from @nobeerinthefridge, though I can see plenty from my window at the moment.
Watched two guys snow boarding off Coire lochan down one of the few remaining full gullies on Wednesday, madness!.
I'll update that thread soon Colin, still enjoying it to be honest, and I need to get some pics over onto Flickr!.
Its going to be bad this year around Manchester.
Selling our 4x4 Yeti, mild winters since buying it so stands to reason its going to be biblical this year.
Excellent.
The first snow of the year has hit here in mid sweden. Happy winter all!
Last weekend
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Likely disappeared already, though we're expecting more in a couple of days.
And it arrived.
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Frozon snow outside the Pine Marten at Glenmore this evening. It was a very cold, but stunning, ride back home.
Just popped in to post a link to the Loch Morlich webcam.
Wintery.... 😎
https://www.lochmorlich.com/webcam
Had to scrape the van windscreen earlier.
First snowfall in Dalarna also (Vansbro). Still nothing but slightly negative temperatures in Uppland and the big city though.
We were in the Pyrenees on the 22nd of Sept when the locals informed us that the fresh snow on the peaks that morning was the first of the season.
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Sorry for the gutter press.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/exact-day-scotland-battered-heavy-25404867.amp
