Not too sure where I’ll be but I’ll endeavour to be on the air.
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Frustratingly I am away and no-where near a summit that weekend and cannot rearrange it. Next Year….
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It’s a long time in weather forecasts but maybe there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
You know that you will all be guaranteed excellent weather as I have absolutely no chance of being anywhere near GM/ES, not even having the opportunity to influence the weather from the /A homestead in Northumberland. Enjoy the day. I will be extremely jealous, but will try to be on from Middle England if possible.
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Positive PJZ says at least the weather forecast shows light winds.
Negative PJZ thinks I need to bring warm clothing and waterproofs 
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And microspikes. The hills can be bare of snow, but the paths stay packed with ice!
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For those that have alerted for summits this Friday.
@GM5ALX @G6PJZ @GM7STP @GM4LLD @MM0VPM @GM3GAV @G5OLD @2M0RVZ
As you know, eastern Scotland’s weather has been wet and windy since New Year. Snow is due to return to all levels from Tuesday. Thursday and Friday will have some precipitation and will likely be very windy.
Worst Case
You won’t get past Spittal of Glenshee because the snow gates will be closed. You may be able to do a 1, 2 or 4 point summit in the Angus glens, but there won’t be a Braemar meet up.
Best Case
Snow gates open, you get your choice of summit. It is going to be arduous with deep snow and wind. You may make it to Braemar for lunch. You may not want to or be able to make it there, or indeed home if they close the gates.
To context this, the gates have been closed nightly and sometimes all day. Drifting snow is the issue. They use snow blowers to try and open the road for 10am for skiing but they don’t always manage this.
Glenshee forecast as of Monday 1600.
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Hi Fraser,
I was planning to chase from the Pentlands anyway but are you contemplating a postponement of the GM/ES Winter day given the forecast ?
I’m currently watching the waves coming over the breakwater at Granton harbour in the strong Northeasterly wind.
Andy
MM7MOX
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I was already concerned that even if I could get to my parking spot just past the gates at Spittal, that without snow shoes it may not be viable to get up and down the summit in time. After that I was considering I’ve then got to get up and over and down to Braemar and coming home may be not possible. Not only SOTA gear in car but also some clothes, toothbrush etc. never mind survival stuff in case I get stuck in the car.
So for me it’s
- can I actually activate the summit in time for Braemar with just the likely snow on the ground?
- can I actually just activate the summit with the like snow on the ground ignoring Braemar?
- can I make it over the top to Braemar and back?
- can I make it as far as the snow gates at Spittal of Glenshee anyway?
I was going to keep a watching brief on conditions and road cameras and decide nearer the time.
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Hi Fraser, thanks for the update and valuable local info.
It is likely that I will cancel my trip to Braemar for this event.
I will confirm later in the week.
73 Peter
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I possibly think so. Too tenuous. I’m thinking more of the get together and folk travelling some distance. We can all make our own decisions about whether to climb that day, and where.
I’ll still be out though, and @G5OLD Tim has flights booked. 
I think this is the problem. If you were planing to come and then later cancelled, that’s when we’d get blue skies and sunshine. The upfront unavailability leaves no room for bitter irony.
Unless one is prepared to have a horrible drive on two sides of a triangle as the other side is shut, to then stamp up a freezing hill, maybe better to forgo the cake and coordinate on a freezing summit closer to home?
Disappointing of course. But I’m sure Fraser will organise something else in the summer 
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Yeh, doesn’t look the best and likely I wouldn’t get over Glenshee early enough to do a decent summit. Will watch the WX and decide on Thursday.
My plan B would be come over the Slug Road and do something lower in Deeside.
73 Gavin
GM3GAV
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And that was one of the bits I was most looking forward to. I suppose I’ll have to arrange something up that way, possibly staying over for a night or two so I can bag summits and also bag buns and coffee with the locals 
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I’ve pulled out 
- I was going to travel up Thursday and home Friday after events, but weather too uncertain at present.
A
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Likely that could be closed as well
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Honest guys, I’m trying my hardest by keeping well away. Perhaps I need to go south for the weekend. 
Hoping it comes good for you all whatever decisions are made.
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How about a summer date as well? (Although that would probably arrive with a high fire risk and 35C temperatures….)
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Still planning to come, though the decision will be under review until Thursday morning. If anyone local could offer an update on road and hill conditions maybe early Wednesday evening, that would be appreciated. I think I should be ok for my Friday selection, but the other 2 alerts may get changed or cancelled as necessary. (The things I do for a coffee and cake…)