NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 29/1/01 Another dry and fine day with light winds has brought about some further stabilisation to the snowpack at all levels. Areas of soft, medium and hard slab are still present on most aspects. Old faceted layers at higher altitudes are now barely identifiable, but will still present a weakness in any future thaw situation. Warming of sun-exposed slopes is now becoming an influence but no recent avalanche debris was noted. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 30/1/01 Continued dry and cold conditions will continue the stabilisation of the snowpack. However, pockets of old faceted snow remain within the snowpack above 950 metres on Northerly aspects and sun-warming will affect East and South facing slopes above 800 metres. The main hazard now will be of slabs triggered by high additional load, i.e. large parties. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A lot of scouring on the plateau, but fair general cover in Northern Corries. ICING: Sparse on most routes. Lurcher's Crag has been best. COMMENT: A great day for the lucky few. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 29/1/01 Light snow and W winds overnight have formed shallow deposits of weakly bonded soft windslab, mainly on N through to SE aspects above 800 metres. Greatest accumulations are on scarp slopes, corrie headwalls and in gullies. Deeper instabilities are also present in these locations. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Thin and unstable cornices present. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 30/1/01 SW winds and light snow during the forecast period will see shallow deposits of soft windslab form, mainly on NE and E aspects. Older unstable deposits will remain on N through to SE aspects above 800 metres. Greatest accumulations will be on scarp slopes, corrie headwalls and in gullies where avalanches are likely. Colder temperatures should see some consolidation in deeper instabilities at lower levels. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light fresh snow above 600m ICING: Becoming colder, freezing at 600m on Tuesday. COMMENT: Exits and approaches to routes still require caution. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 29/1/01 Deep layered soft slab exists on sheltered slopes with NW through to SE aspects above 550 metres. Snow showers overnight have added to existing deposits of weakly bonded windslab. These deposits are mainly in steep sheltered gullies and on steep scarp slopes with a North to East aspect above 800 metres. Under shear test top layers of windslab failed very easily. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 30/1/01 Cold conditions and only a trace of new snow will maintain much of the snowpack in a similar condition. Some redistribution of snow will occur with a fresh South-West wind. This will add further layers to existing windslab mainly on North to South-East slopes and in sheltered gullies. Windslab formations will be very unstable where they exist on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 500m. ICING: Ice on paths and rocks above 300m. COMMENT: A cover of snow exists on many ridges and buttresses, these are by far the safer option. For anyone with the inclination Slime Wall is plastered with new snow SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 29/1/01 Windslab is to be found on NW through to SE aspects and other sheltered locations above 700 metres. Some consolidation is taking place but weak layers still exist and are failing easily. Surface layers in particular are demonstrating poor stability and there is widespread surface hoar. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Some cornices are now quite large. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 30/1/01 Cold calm conditions will prevail through the forecast period. There will be little change to the current situation with moderately to weakly bonded snow being found on NW through to SE aspects and other sheltered locations above 700 metres. Surface layers will be weakly bonded and shear easily. Surface hoar will continue to develop. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 700 metres. ICING: Generally lean and under powder at present. COMMENT: Some excellent ski touring available. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 29/1/01 Slightly milder conditions and bright sunshine have started to consolidate the recent fresh snow deposits. However, tests show that a relatively easy shear can still be obtained in the deeper accumulations of soft slab. Patches of windslab and soft slab persist on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard remains Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 30/1/01 With only a trace of fresh snow and relatively light South-West winds, there will be little change to the existing snowpack. Although colder weather following on from Mondays milder conditions will further aid the consolidation process, areas of weakly bonded soft slab will persist on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Where soft slab deposits are deepest the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 650 metres. Good ski touring after a short walk. ICING: Remains good on the Post Face and Inner Coire. Although there's still a lot of soft snow around. COMMENT: Difficult trail breaking if off the beaten track. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------