The key element to using and interpreting weather forecasts is developing self-reliance and doubt. Start thinking for yourself: Winter climbing (in particular) has seen a surge in popularity and information but this comes with a price. Homework still has to be done, mistakes will be made which form the basis of “experience” but let’s hope [...]
Category Archive — scottish winter
The importance of Synoptic Charts
Synoptic charts… Do you really need to know about these? Yes, you do (if you don’t already).This is pretty basic stuff at first, apologies if it’s a bit obvious.
The principles are pretty simple (GCSE Geography gives the basics) and a quick overview can be found on the BBC Sailing website plus David Pedgeley’s Mountain Weather. [...]
Scottish Avalanche Information Service
What a cracker: an absolute goldmine of a website. This website builds nicely on the information from MWIS and the current condition of the snowpack to provide an expectation of what is likely over the following 24 hours.
As with the other weather and conditions websites, prior knowledge when reading the forecasts really helps me understand [...]
Getting the most out of MWIS
As I’m sure most of you are aware, the Mountain Weather Information Service is a tremendous website that has enhanced our capacity for understanding weather and conditions on the hill before we leave home. This has a catch though: as we have more information this tends to reduce our interest in verifying the forecast and [...]
Continental Water Ice – In Britain?!
Plastic, blue water ice is not something you would usually associate with Scotland. For almost all of us ‘Scottish winter climbing’ will evoke memories of insecure placements in barely frozen snow ice, spindrift down the back of the neck and dubious protection.
How to Check Scottish Winter Conditions
Predicting Scottish winter climbing conditions is never going to be a sure thing. Even with the most up to date, reliable information there will always be a certain amount of speculation and gambling involved. That said, knowledge and information will certainly help your gambles pay off more often.
Scottish Winter Climbing – Without a Car?!
Winter Climbing is probably the last thing most of you would consider doing without a car. The unsociable hours, inaccessible places and the masses of kit make the car an almost indispensable tool. Not completely though. It is possible to winter climb without a car and actually have a pretty good time of it.
