November 2004 Conditions Reports

30th November 2004
Today was very wet! All the burns on the hillsides were in spate and, despite there being very little wind, a lot of rain came down. Just before it got dark the clouds started to break up revealing snow down to 1000m on Bidean nam Bian in Glen Coe. Despite getting soaked, Andy and Owen climbed Gargoyle Wall (VI,6) on Ben Nevis today reporting all the crags are rimed up well and snow is building in the gullies. The weather should be getting better for the weekend - Friday could be quite a good day to get out.

28th November 2004

The weather cleared quite nicely this afternoon giving Donald and Simon nice conditions on Curved Ridge, Buachaille Etive Mor. They were going through some Alpine rope skills, moving together and mini-pitching. The snow from the last couple of days was down to the base of Crowberry Ridge and Ben Nevis looked to have a decent covering. It's cold as well, -4 celcius on Aonach Mor today. Let's hope it stays cold for a while.

25th November 2004
It's been wet and warm this week with last weekends snow being washed away very quickly. Cold again for this weekend though, fresh snowfall down to 600m over the next few days should bring the hills back into their winter coat.

22nd November 2004
Fresh snow down to sea level in Fort William on Friday. Donald and Tony got Talibalan (V,6) on Stob Coire nan Laoigh done in good sunny weather although the wind got up in the afternoon. The route is rocky so even though the turf wasn't completely frozen they were able to climb it. The weather stayed cold over the weekend but it is now +3 celsius at 1100 metres at Aonach Mor.

19th November 2004

18th November 2004

Fresh snow last night down to 500m in Lochaber. It was +4 celcius at sea level at 7am this morning and it is going to get colder. Perhaps winter is on its way!

17th November 2004

Wet weather coming in from the west made Donald, Tony and myself head east. We tried the dry tooling at Newtile Quarry and had a fine day for it. What ever your opinion on dry tooling it is a very good way to get strong arms! Fresh snow on the hills on the way back marks the start of a very cold and snowy period to come. Our air stream will be straight off the north pole!

13th November 2004

Morning light on Aonach Mor and Ben Nevis with overnight snow down to 500m. It's not very much snow but the hills are still quite warm and deep snow would just insulate them, keeping the warmth in. We need to be patient!

12th November 2004
As the warm front crossed over yesterday the temperature rose to clear the snow from the hills. It's cold again today though and heavy squally showers have put down sleet and snow to 700m. There is more white stuff out west - Gulvain is really quite plastered! Cold for the weekend.

10th November 2004

Today was very nice, dry and little wind. There is a fair bit of snow above 1000m. Donald and Jordan reached the foot of the Little Tower on Tower Ridge and turned back there due to the verglas on the rocks. They went to the top of Ben Nevis via Coire Leis and were rewarded with great views and a superb sunset. High pressure is staying with us for a wee while yet but it is a moist and cloudy one. The freezing level will drop at the weekend to about 700m.

9th November 2004

With high pressure to the west and a depression to the NE our air stream is being pulled down from the Arctic! It was noticably colder today than yesterday and snow has been falling down to 950m in heavy showers. Donald and Jordan went up Curved Ridge though and had a great Autumnal day!

7th November 2004
It's been a wet and warm week. No sign of much winter weather yet. Keep praying, doing your snow dance or just meditating to try and pass the time until cold conditions arrive!

1st November 2004

Beautiful, warm sunny weather today in Glen Nevis.