Info about snow on the ochils

  

5-May-2010 1:03 PM From: Alayne Message forwarded from Mark Johnston via Charlie: Hi all, I thought I'd email you guys since you are all fairly regular runners up the Ochils or at least work/live in the area! I'm currently helping out Iain Cameron and Dr Adam Watson who are doing an ongoing study of snow cover on the Scottish Mountains (and writing a book on it!). Following on from the exceptional winter snows, I've been doing a survey of the longest lasting snow patches in the Ochils. The attached spreadsheet gives a list of the snow patches which were still around at the start of May, mainly observed from runs I did on Saturday and Monday. Information is most complete for the Alva/Tillicoultry area so there may be patches missed out (or not located precisely!) towards the Menstrie (Inchna Burn & Menstrie Moss areas) or the Dollar end of the hills. It would be helpful when you're out & about if you could keep an eye on the patches for a final melt date or just confirm they are still there! Also if there are any not listed then let me know. I'd expect most, if not all, of the snow will melt in the next couple of weeks. Send any info. on to my home email address... Mark_Johnston@tiscali.co.uk Any info. appreciated. If there's anyone else you know who's up the hills regularly (e.g. Dave Scott or whoever), who may be interested in helping out, then could you please forward on this email. If nothing else, it can add an interesting diversion or two to your usual runs! The lowest snow patches in the deep gully on Wood Hill (above Silver Glen) are certainly worth a visit though the snow there may not last that much longer than a few days! You can access it by following the fence north from the style on the Wood Hill path, then descending down into the gully (very steep!), easiest on the north side. Thanks in advance. cheers, Mark

Replys