Scotland In A Deep Freeze Inspires Mountaineering Photographers
The people of Scotland woke up to a massive dose of winter, as they tried to dig their way out of the deep freeze that swept the nation with record breaking temperatures and massive amounts of snow.
The familiar green hills of Scotland turned into a blanket of white in this sudden winter wonderland, as temperatures plummeted to -8C over the weekend. Temperatures have been recorded in Scotland as low as -20C in the past, but this sudden freeze is the coldest for the year so far, and blanketed snow from the Highlands to Fife.
The sudden burst of winter came to Scotland this weekend, after they were hit by a massive storm last week which dumped tons of rain on the Isles with gale force winds and high waves. Weather observers noted over 5,000 lightning strikes, some so intense that it lead to region-wide power outages for many citizens.
The arrival of winter in such a big way was to blame for a number of accidents, as many others opted to stay in doors trying to stay warm. But not everyone was unhappy about the very big arrival of the Scottish winter. Before the temperatures dropped too low, a group of mount-climbing enthusiasts braved the snow-capped mountains of Scotland to capture some stunning photographs of the area.
The peak of Ben Nevis reaches 4,400 feet, and offered the mountain climbers spectacular views of the surrounding Scottish landscape. The mountain peak can offer a bit of a challenge to a climber under ideal circumstances, but in the winter, it can become a treacherous endeavor with ice-covered slopes and freezing temperatures.
One member of the group, David Wildey, is an experienced mountain climber, but this was his first taste at what Scotland has to offer.
He spoke about the inherent dangers of winter time climbing.
“Winter climbing has inherent objective dangers such as weather and conditions. Winter climbing requires specialist equipment – the obvious being crampons, stiff boots and technical ice axes. Standard climbing gear is also needed, like ropes and harnesses, but another specialist piece is a rack of ice screws for protection.”
The experienced mountaineer also added that “the scariest part was the surprising sense of remoteness and isolation you feel in the Highlands.”
For all the inconvenience and uncomfortable temperatures, the Scottish winter has made for a breathtaking landscape that adds another dimension to the beauty and wonder of Scotland, which just might make Santa and his reindeer more than a little jealous.
[Image:Scotsman]