NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/1/01 A dry and mainly fine day with light winds has brought about some further stabilisation to recent deposits above 1050 metres. However, fresh cornice debris was noted on a NE aspect at 1100 metres and areas of soft, medium and hard slab are present on most aspects. Warming of sun-exposed slopes is now becoming an influence and avalanche debris was noted on a NE facing slope at 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 29/1/01 Continued fine and dry conditions, along with a gradual warming, will promote a general stabilisation. However, where pockets of old faceted snow remain within the snowpack above 950 metres on Northerly aspects and where sun-warming affects East and South facing slopes above 800 metres, avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A lot of scouring on the plateau. Easy gullies well filled. ICING: Not likely to improve with warmer conditions. Lurcher's Crag has been best. COMMENT: At least you can enjoy the sunshine! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/1/01 Areas of weakly bonded windslab exist on many slopes with a N, NE and E aspect above 900 metres. Greatest accumulations are to be found on scarp slopes, crag aprons and in gullies. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices are also present above these aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 29/1/01 Milder conditions overnight and during Monday will see a decrease in stability in the existing snowpack. Areas of unstable snow will be present, mainly on slopes with a N, NE and E aspect above 900 metres. Greatest accumulations will be on scarp slopes, crag aprons and in gullies, where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General snow cover above 600m. ICING: Freezing level rising to 1000m overnight. COMMENT: Care should be exercised in route choice, especially approaches and exits. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/1/01 Deep layered soft slab exists on sheltered slopes with NW through to SE aspects above 550 metres. Sheltered summit gullies and steep scarp slopes contain deep deposits of unstable windslab. With snowfall and temperatures rising this afternoon the avalanche hazard remains High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 29/1/01 Temperatures rising above the summits will put further strain on the weakly bonded snowpack. Deep windslab lying on steep NW through to SE corrie headwalls and in sheltered summit gullies will become extremely unstable. Avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 500m. ICING: Ice on paths and rocks above 300m. COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses the safer option, approaches require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/1/01 Windslab is to be found on NW through to SE aspects and other sheltered locations above 700 metres. Weaker layers within windslab give easy clean shears. Observers noted the poor stability of surface layers and widespread surface hoar. Recently exposed slopes were icy and stable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 29/1/01 The freezing level will rise to 1000 metres before settling at 900 metres during the day. This will eventually help consolidation but not before an active period. Stability of windslab will become suspect, particularly on steeper slopes of NW to SE aspects and avalanches are likely. Altitudes under 900 metres will be subject to thaw conditions. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will provide potential triggers. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 700 metres. ICING: Most ice is hiding under snow. COMMENT: Ski touring excellent unlike the climbing. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/1/01 With no fresh fall of snow, and light winds throughout the period, no significant build up of new windslab has formed. Cold conditions, however, have meant that consolidation of the existing snow pack has been slight, and deep accumulations of unstable soft and hard slab persist on North through East to South East slopes above 700 metres. Steep scarp slopes and gullies are particularly affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 29/1/01 A slight rise in temperature will aid stabilisation of the snow pack, but existing deposits of slab will persist on North through East to South East aspects above 700 metres. Unstable cornices are present above these aspects - particularly around the Inner Coire. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thick snow cover above 600 metres. ICING: Steepest ice visible, the rest is buried. COMMENT: Good ski-touring conditions for those keen enough to take their skis for a wee walk. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------