NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 12/1/01
It was another cold, clear day with light winds from the South 
and SouthEast.  There were a few isolated snow showers early 
in the forecast period.  The middle of the snowpack is cold, still 
in the -3 to -5 degree range, preserving the isolated sites with 
the old buried surface hoar and facets. Snowpack stability is 
generally good.   New surface hoar is forming and preserved in 
some North aspect locations from the valley floor to the plateau 
elevation. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 13/1/01
The continued cold clear conditions will see little change in 
snowpack conditions.  The SE winds will form some new slab 
on North and North West aspects above 1000 metres.  Some of 
these slabs are on gully exits and the approach slopes to climbs.  
The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2)

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Plateau cover is reasonable for 
skinning up and around.
ICING: Little change to the lean conditions, a few routes are in 
ice condition.
COMMENT:  Seven of the nine snow types are available for 
observation and comparison with photos and comments in the 
current literature. 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 12/1/01
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 SAT 13/1/01
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. 
Avalanche hazard 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 FRI 12/1/01
Surface hoar and a melt freeze crust continues to form on the 
surface 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 shallow 
soft slab exists beneath the crust.  Avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 13/1/01
Cold conditions with no significant new snow with fresh SE to S
winds will not alter the general stability of the snowpack.
Surface hoar and crust will continue to form in most locations. 
Isolated pockets of shallow windslab will remain on slopes with 
a South to West aspect and at the tops of sheltered gullies. As 
the wind becomes more Southerly it will transport snow to
Northerly aspects.   These accumulations are not expected to be
deep or extensive. The avalanche hazard will remain Low
(Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 750m.
ICING: Ice on rocks above 350m.
COMMENT: Colder conditions are improving climbing 
conditions. Higher buttress routes are receiving ascents. 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 12/1/01
Prolonged cold temperatures continue to promote the 
development of unstable faceted crystals within the snowpack. 
Areas of weakly bonded redistributed snow exist on SE to SW 
aspects above 900 metres. Hazard is greatest where depth has 
been acquired on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 13/1/01
No new snow has been forecast for the period but cold 
temperatures will continue the development of faceted crystals. 
Moderately bonded layers will exist in deeper deposits of 
redistributed snow on SE to SW aspects above 900 metres. The 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). 
  

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good above 900 metres. Best on 
high plateau areas.

ICING: Quite lean and variable in quality.

COMMENT: Lochnagar buttresses still very snowy.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 12/1/01
Although it has remained cold with no further snowfall, strong 
South East winds are causing drifting of existing snow. West 
through North to North-East aspects above 900 metres have
developed fresh but shallow areas of windslab. Moderately well 
bonded soft slab with weak surface layers affects all other 
aspects. Accumulations of weak slab are still too shallow to 
cause problems. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 13/1/01
Fresh to strong South to South-East winds will continue to build
unstable windslab on sheltered slopes and gullies of a West 
through North to North-East aspect above 900 metres. Steep,
scarp slopes beneath cornices will be particularly affected. 
Moderately well bonded soft slab will persist on all other 
aspects. Where windslab accumulations are deepest the 
avalanche hazard will increase to Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. 

ICING: Good on the Post Face and in the Inner Coire, Pinnacle 
Buttress needs more.

COMMENT: Sunny but Baltic on top today (12.01.01).




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