Pentlands : Sunset ascent/descent of easternmost top of Turnhouse Hill (first peak of the Pentland main ridge) from Flotterstone car park, ascending close to the normal walking route to col just west of the top. Descending lovely broad bowl from col then traverse to gates on the ridge, and following the path back.

Cloudless sky, ascent mostly sheltered from cold north breeze, -4C valley level, probably nearer -10C? on top

Mixed. In valley lovely powder; higher up the ridge, on the col and the top harder snow and small sastruggi, where wind has caught exposed slopes. In the bowl, loads of snow but more difficult than it looked because of rapid alternation between harder snow and slightly heavy powder. But amazing skiing for the Pentlands!
Note : it looks possible to ski up and down practically all the Pentland peaks at the moment. From Turnhouse Hill it also looked possible to tour along the main (i.e. south) ridge, but expect to find rocks and bare-ish patches where the wind has blown off ... until the next dunk that is!

Donald