Windy, Snowy, Icy Ascent To The Top Of 3,580ft Bynack More

Written by Mark Vogan on February 25, 2016 in Rest of Europe, Scottish Mountains, United Kingdom & Ireland, Winter 2015/16 with 0 Comments

On Sunday, 21 February 2016, my friend Petr Kolegar and myself took off from a rainy Cumbernauld at 4am for the Cairngorms, despite a poor weather forecast, I wanted to experience what winter had to offer in the Scottish mountains. Without the experience and knowledge of Czech born, Petr, I would not have attempted this myself. We both knew the dangers.

This was the GFS model surface chart for the day.

CREDIT: TROPICAL TIDBITS

Strong WNW winds driving ocean modified Greenland air across the Northern UK along with hefty sleet, hail and snow showers, rain to low levels of Central Scotland. 850mb (5,000ft) level temperatures between -5 and -10C.

After driving 2 hours up the A9 we crossed over snowy Drumnochter Summit as daylight slowly began appearing in the wind, snow and darkness.

CREDIT: MARK VOGAN

After pulling into a layby with some decision making, we choose to drive to Glenmore (near Aviemore and at the foot of Cairngorm Mountain) where 3,580ft Bynack More awaited. This would be my 6th munro while Petr, an experienced mountain walker will have summited 145 munro’s, 83 last year alone.

With the snow gates to Cairngorm Ski Centre closed, we parked the car in a layby just outwith the gates. Conditions where pleasant, light breeze, temp +1C with light snow falling.

CREDIT: MARK VOGAN

As you can see from the above photo, conditions at the bottom weren’t bad and they we’re pleasant for the first 8km walk through the pine forest. However, once we cleared the protection of the forest and entered the lower slopes, winds gradually picked up and visibility lowered.

CREDIT: MARK VOGAN

Snow drifts made the lower ascent difficult as without warning we steeped into what looked like 6 inch deep snow turned out to be waste deep.

CREDIT: PETR KOLEGAR

Into the clearing and commencing the ascent.

CREDIT: MARK VOGAN

Once on the long, icy climb (ridge) summit-bound, we were buffeted by an icy gale with snow flakes hitting our face which resembled tiny needles which worsened with each step as we entered bare, treeless mountain terrain.

With no weather station on top of Bynack More, I checked conditions on neighbouring Cairngorm and did an estimate of what the wind, temperature and wind chill conditions would be on Bynack More summit.

As of 12 noon, air temp: -4C, Sustained wind: 40-50 mph, Gusts: 70-75 mph, Wind chill (in strongest gusts): -15 to -20C.

Probably The Worst Conditions I’ve Ever Experienced

70 mph gusts may not be the worst but on an exposed rime ice covered rocky ridge 3,580ft up and blowing snow creating a white out, these conditions sucked the energy out of my body. This was likely the worst conditions I’ve ever experienced.

Combined with near hurricane force winds in the last 100ft from the top, 1-2 inch thick sheets of ice made it tough to stand. Sudden gusts produced zero visibility with Petr just metres in front, disappearing!