THE SUN HIGHLIGHTS THE SUMMIT OF BEN VRACKIE (27/01/11 )

A very good path, with traces of a recent slight snowfall ,but no ice, clearly shows the route to the summit of Ben Vrackie. The recent snowfall, which did not affect lower altitudes, gradually increased in amount with height, but the icy conditions still affecting areas near the valley floor, were not in evidence on this S & SW-facing slope. Undoubtedly, the valley had proved to be  a frost hollow at times, within a pool of cold air, while the higher slopes remained above this temperature inversion. Nevertheless, the bleakness of this landscape reflects the fact that lower temperatures, higher rainfall & increased wind speed,  are the normal climatic recipe at this & higher altitudes.