Carn Liath and Creag Meaghaidh : Up from Aberarder farm to the summit of Carn Liath then along the ridge heading west over the top of Stob Poite Coire Ardair and then down to the window. Up towards Meaghaidh and defeated by nil visibility approx 100m or so from summit. Turned around and headed off skirting the cliffs until joining the easterly ridge heading back towards Aberarder. Descent down a burn course on the north side of the east end of the ridge down to the river.

Generally good except for one period of thick cloud and heavy snow (just at the critical point on the plateau heading towards Meaghaidh itself). Freezing level rose from the glen to circa 650m by mid afternoon.

Brilliant snow all day with approx 3" of fresh on top of a hard base - above 700m it was more like Norway than Scotland ! Snow cover very good across the entire mountain apart from one or two wind blown areas where a few rocks were showing. Ski's on at 600m and by following the burn line managed to ski down to 550m.

For anyone interested one party of climbers out with the inner coire routes of Pumpkin, the Wand and Diadem all looking in condition. Centre and South Post banked out with North Post and Last Post both looking in good nick. Smiths and Ritchies Gullies were full but I suspect ice there was buried. 59 Face route not formed. Girdle traverse looking awesome !

Al Todd

alistairtodd at tiscali dot co dot uk

Ben Wyvis - up from Garbat farm following the landrover track until the end and then up through forest break to the moor and then on to Meallan Donn. From there a rising traverse to Tom a Choinnich and then to the summit. Quick detour into Coire Na Feola for a great ski before skinning back onto the ridge. Descent into the coire immediately east of An Cabar following a line down and round into Bealach Mor.

Snowy and windy although some good clearances with good views to the west . Freezing level circa 300m

Deep unconsolidated snow from the edge of the forest until almost 900m. From there on excellent snow which having melted and quickly refrozen during the brief thaw on the 20th formed a brilliant cover.
Skis were on continuously however the deep new snow could do with a brief thaw and freeze. More snow fell again overnight and throughout today so across the Northern Highlands the cover will now be really good above 600m

Dave Allan, Grant Cumming, Willie Laing, Al Todd

alistairtodd at tiscali dot co dot uk

From Aberarder Farm westward up the ridge to Craig Meagaidh. On to Stob Poite Coire Ardair in order to claim a second Munro. Back by the same route. Too late and tired to do one of the many steep descents on offer.

Sunny by mid day, with intermittant cloud at mountain top level

Mostly good; steep gulleys ripe for the taking

Jungle

andrew dot napier1 at btinternet dot com