NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 25/12/00 Winds continued from the East with moderate snow transport contributing to soft sastrugi on the plateau and up to 50 centimetre foot penetration in slab accumulations on mainly West and South Aspect above 1000 metres. The slab fails very easily in all field tests done on steep terrain just North of the Mess of Potage. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 26/12/00 Wind will shift to the North-West and the weather forecast calls for snow showers. This will contribute to redistribution of the snow available for transport. Hells Lum crag will be particularly susceptible to the new loading. Avalanches are likely where there have been slab accumulations on South, East and West aspects mainly above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The main pillow of unstable snow is below ridge tops. The light amounts on the plateau have contributed to little appreciable change for ski touring ICING: The temperatures have remained cool but the ice source has somewhat dried up. COMMENT: Careful route finding should avoid the unstable slab. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 25/12/00 Despite some light snow, there are no significant fresh deposits. The snowpack remains frozen and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUES 26/12/00 Snow showers are expected overnight and during Tuesday. Accumulations of fresh snow will start to build, generally on sheltered E through to SW aspects above 600m, steep scarp slopes will particularly be effected. Wind blown slopes will remain frozen and stable. As Tuesday progresses the avalanche hazard will increase. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Old snow remaining frozen and stable. ICING: Large areas of water ice formed on paths and open slopes, even at low altitudes. COMMENT: Climbing limited to easier gullies and routes high on the Ben. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 25/12/00 Cold conditions at all levels have formed an icy crust on the surface of the snowpack. At higher levels rime is forming on ridges and buttresses exposed to the cold airflow, giving more of a wintry appearance to the hill. The snowpack is generally well bonded and is stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 26/12/00 A North-Westerly airflow with occasional or very light snow showers will affect the area. Accumulations of shallow windslab will form on East to South facing slopes and in sheltered areas such as gullies. These accumulations are not expected to be deep or extensive. The avalanche hazard will increase to Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow cover above 800m. Light snow expected on Tuesday. ICING: New ice forming on rocks and paths above 300m. COMMENT: Colder temperatures are improving conditions, but choices remain limited and are mainly to be found on higher ridges and corries. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 25/12/00 A general thin covering of snow exists on most aspects. Areas of soft slab are in sheltered locations on SE to SW aspects above 950 metres. Here a strong temperature gradient is evident and unstable faceted crystals are developing within this slab. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Exposed snow is scoured and stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 26/12/00 Snow showers will not add greatly to the volume of existing snow but the current climatic conditions will continue to weaken the stability of soft slab. Deeper areas will be found in sheltered locations on SE to SW aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover without any real base on most aspects. ICING: There is some around but it still needs more development. Turf is freezing up. COMMENT: Climbing is still limited. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 25/12/00 A cold, North-Easterly airstream has continued to affect the area. Once again there has been only a light dusting of fresh snow above 850 metres. Deposits on lee slopes of a South to West aspect remain insignificant. All aspects remain well bonded and stable due to the very cold conditions. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 26/12/00 Light snow showers on a moderate North-West wind will cause isolated and shallow windslab deposits to form at the very tops of gullies of an East to South aspect above 900 metres. All other aspects will remain well bonded and stable in the very cold conditions. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main deposits in gullies on North- West to North-East aspects. ICING: Thin ice on the Post Face and even thinner in the Inner Coire. The very cold conditions of the last few days should have helped. COMMENT: Merry Xmas to all our readers! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------