NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 11/1/01
A fine cool day with a few snow showers and some evidence of 
drifting overnight.  Some gullies have unconsolidated snow with 
foot penetration of 40 cm.  The wind has created some new slab 
but the distribution is variable by aspect and mostly above 900 
metres.  This slab shears in field tests but no propagation was 
evident on larger slopes tested.  The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 12/1/01
With the first high pressure weather system of the year there
will possibly be a few light snow showers and light winds from
the East.  There will be new slab that has patchy distribution
mostly on West aspects above 900 metres.  It will also exist in
gully exits and steep approach slopes.  The snowpack stability is
mostly good but only fair in those identified locations.  The
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  The plateau has nearly skiable 
cover.  
ICING:  More turf than ice and little change in the cold weather 
with the source dried up.   
COMMENT:   Still facets and old surface hoar being reported 
by keen observers.  

LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 11/1/01
Localised areas of hard windslab are present on steep N, NE and 
E facing summit slopes and gullies above 1000m. On sheltered 
S, SW and W aspects, some fresh slab development is present. 
The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 12/1/01
Cold, dry conditions are expected during the forecast period. 
Localised areas of hard windslab will remain, mainly on steep 
N, NE and E facing summit slopes and gullies above 1000m. On 
sheltered S, SW and W aspects, some fresh windslab will 
remain. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main snow accumulations above 
800m.
ICING: Freezing at all levels.
COMMENT: Crampons essential. Water ice and old frozen 
snow present even at lower levels.
 


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 11/1/01
A melt freeze crust continues to form on the surface of much of 
the snowpack. This is generally improving snowpack stability. 
Isolated pockets of windslab are forming on South to West 
aspects and in sheltered areas. In summit gullies deep soft slab 
exists beneath the crust.  Avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 12/1/01
Cold conditions with no significant new snow and moderate  
North-Easterly winds will not alter the general stability of the
snowpack. A surface crust will continue to form in most 
locations. In sheltered areas such as gullies deep soft 
accumulations of snow will remain beneath the crust. Pockets of 
shallow windslab will remain on slopes with a South to West 
aspect and at the tops of sheltered gullies. These accumulations 
will not be deep or extensive. The avalanche hazard will remain
Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 750m.
ICING: Ice on rocks above 3500m.
COMMENT: Conditions unchanged since Wednesday. Report wording
unchanged due to rescue involvement.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 11/1/01
New redistributed snow deposits on SE to SW aspects remain 
poorly bonded. At the pit site soft slab failed above existing 
harder snow ice where unstable faceted crystals were 
developing. Avalanche debris was noted on two SE aspects. The 
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 12/1/01
Light flurries of snow will not add any real depth to the 
snowpack. Some consolidation of surface layers in recent softer 
deposits will be evident but with facet development continuing, 
bonding of sub surface layers will remain poor. Greatest hazard 
will be found on SE to SW aspects above 900 metres. The 
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Exposed 
slopes will remain generally stable.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good above 900m.
ICING: Variable in quality although watercourses give best 
climbing. 
COMMENT: Buttress climbing remains very poor.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 11/1/01
Light winds and very cold conditions have meant little change to 
the current snow conditions. Moderately well bonded underlying 
soft slab is covered by weak surface layers and is apparent on 
North West through North East to East aspects above 850 
metres. Weak surface layers are so shallow as not to constitute a 
risk. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).
  
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 12/1/01
It will remain very cold with moderate North East winds. This 
will mean little change to current snow conditions.
Moderately well bonded underlying soft slab with weak but 
shallow surface layers will persist on North West through North 
East to East aspects above 850 metres. Weak surface layers will 
continue to be so shallow as not to constitute a hazard. The 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. 

ICING: Good on Post Face and Inner Coire. Not so good on 
Pinnacle Buttress.
 
COMMENT: Snowblindness and sunburn are a real hazard! 
It's a hard life!




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