NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 29/12/00
The snowpack continues to get weaker rather than stronger.  
There were moderate snow amounts on winds that were mostly 
from the North and North-West.  The winds have not been 
strong enough to scour any previously loaded slopes so the 
instability is more widespread by aspect and a ski triggered 
avalanche was observed on an E facing slopoe at 1100 metres. The
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 30/12/00
Moderate snow amounts overnight and light snow on Saturday 
will increase the avalanche hazard.  The winds will shift to the 
North-West. The variable winds of the past few days have
contributed to loading on nearly all aspects above 850 metres.  
Soft slab avalanches will occur on loaded slopes especially 
convex rolls or below suspect cornices.  The avalanche hazard 
will be High (Category 4).     

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover is improving but special 
care required travelling in avalanche terrain.
ICING: Not much change, not much of it.
COMMENT:  Good time to read and learn the lessons in 
"Chance in a Million".  The odds right now are way less, or one
in ten both ways.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 29/12/00
Cold conditions overnight and on during Friday have had little 
effect on areas of existing unstable windslab. This windslab is 
generally restricted to localised deposits in sheltered locations, 
notably on SW through to NW and N aspects. The avalanche 
hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Exposed old snow remains 
hard frozen and stable.
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 30/12/00
A cold N-NW airflow overnight and during Saturday will see 
some redistribution of snow, manly to SE and S aspects. 
Localised deposits of unstable windslab will still be present, on 
sheltered SW through to N aspects. The avalanche hazard will 
be Considerable (Category 3). Exposed old snow will remain 
hard frozen and stable.



CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover at all levels. Old frozen 
snow mainly in N and E facing corries.
ICING: Large areas of water ice exist on paths and open slopes 
under a thin layer of fresh snow.
COMMENT: Remaining cold.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 29/12/00
A very cold North-East airflow continues to affect the area. Light
snow cover exists on all aspects with localised deep drifting on 
SW through to N facing slopes and in sheltered areas such as gullies
above 850m. These deeper accumulations are very weakly 
bonded to the underlying snow ice. Avalanche hazard 
Considerable (Category 3). Slopes exposed to the wind remain 
firm and icy.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 30/12/00
Remaining cold with snow showers mainly later on Saturday. 
Unstable windblown deposits will form on slopes with an East 
to South aspect and in sheltered areas such as gullies as winds 
become North-Westerly. Particularly where deep soft slab overlies
firm snow ice, avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will
be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels.

ICING: Ice on paths and rocks above 200m.

COMMENT: Snow cover generally thin but deep unstable 
accumulations in some gullies. Ice forming on many routes even at
lower levels.
 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 29/12/00
Snow showers and drifting have continued the development of 
windslab in sheltered locations on SE to SW aspects above 900 
metres. Stability is poorest on scarp and steep slopes on SE 
aspects where observers noted two crown walls. The avalanche 
hazard is Considerable (Category 3). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 30/12/00
Light snow showers will add little to the existing snow pack but 
a slight change of winds will redistribute some snow on to E to S
aspects. Where deeper and more extensive areas exist above 900 
metres, consolidation will remain minimal and avalanches are 
likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally thin on all aspects 
although deeper areas exist on SE aspects above 900m. 
ICING: Watercourses are giving best sport although there is a 
mix in quality.
COMMENT: Buttress climbing remains limited. 



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 29/12/00
A light dusting of fresh snow overnight has left isolated patches 
of soft windslab on South East through South to North West 
aspects above 900 metres. These accumulations are greatest in 
sheltered gullies and hollows of the above mentioned aspects. 
The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the 
snowpack remains well bonded and stable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 30/12/00
Light snow on a strong North West wind combined with drifting 
will accumulate isolated pockets of fresh windslab on East 
through South to South West aspects above 900 metres. The 
tops of sheltered gullies and hollows of the above mentioned 
aspects will be particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will 
remain Moderate (Category 2)


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A dusting at all levels. Main 
accumulations in Northerly gullies.

ICING Ice evident both on the Post face and Inner Coire, thin in 
places.

COMMENT: Yet another great day to be on the tops!




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