LAST REPORTS FOR THIS SEASON. THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE ASSISTED US. NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/4/01 There has been mixed rain and snow at 900 metres. This has produced up to 20 centimetres of new snow that in some areas on SE aspects above 1000 metres has formed a slab. Across the plateau it lies as undisturbed, unsettled snow on lee aspect terrain features. Where the slab has formed it shears very easily in field tests on a 40 degree slope. Poor visibility limited observations for avalanche activity. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/4/01 Snow showers and lowering freezing levels will occur overnight. Avalanches are likely due to the new slab instability on SE aspects above 950 metres. There has been rapid depletion of the snowpack below 800 metres with good cover still on the plateau. The snowpack is isothermal in most locations but stability of the deeper pack at this time is good on the Great Slab, Coire an Lochan. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). COMMENT: Foot and Mouth disease. Please observe posted precautions and use disinfectant where provided. Aircraft crash site: as directed by Grampian Police, please stay out of the wanded area on the East slopes of Ben Macdui. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/4/01 Colder temperatures overnight and during Sunday have helped consolidate any older wet snow instabilities. Above 1100m isolated areas of weakly bonded soft slab have formed on sheltered steep E and SE aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Below 1100m the snowpack remains soft but generally stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/4/01 Continuing colder temperatures will see little change to any unstable soft slab deposits in the next 24hrs. Isolated areas of weakly bonded soft slab will continue to build on sheltered steep E to SE through to S aspects above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Areas of wet snow below 1100m will re-freeze leaving large areas of generally stable snow-ice on many aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover remaining in N and E facing corries above 850m ICING: Remaining cold COMMENT: Please observe local Foot and Mouth restrictions. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/4/01 Colder temperatures have consolidated much of the snowpack above 900 metres forming an icy surface in exposed areas. New snow and Northwesterly winds have formed areas of windslab on slopes with a North-East through to South aspect. Deepest accumulations were observed to have formed around the tops of gullies and on scarp slopes. Debris observed below East facing slopes. The avalanche hazard in these areas is Considerable (Category 3) elsewhere the snowpack is very stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/4/01 Cold conditions with North-North-Westerly winds and only a trace of new snow will not significantly alter the general condition of the snowpack. Areas of shallow windslab will remain on East through to South facing slopes with deeper accumulations around the tops of summit gullies and on scarp slopes below cornices. In most other areas the snowpack will become firm and will very stable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 700m. ICING: Climbing conditions improving. COMMENT: Foot and Mouth precautions: Access only to :- Buachaille Etive Mor and Beag, Coire Gabhail, Stob Coire nan Lochan and the Aonach Eagach by disinfectant points; please consult National Trust notices. Ski-ing access on Meall Bhuiridh; consult notices at Ski Centre. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/4/01 Snow showers and drifting have led to the development of weakly bonded windslab. These localised deposits have formed over existing snow-ice in very sheltered locations on E through to W aspects above 900 metres. Rapidly forming cornices are highly unstable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Exposed slopes are re-freezing. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/4/01 Light snow showers overnight will be followed by a drier day. Weakly bonded windslab will be found in very sheltered locations on E through to W aspects above 900 metres. Greatest hazard will be on steeper slopes and gully exits. Exposed areas will remain stable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). COMMENT: Aircraft Crash Site: As directed by Grampian Police Force please stay out of the wanded area on the East slopes of Ben Macdui. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/4/01 With a return to colder conditions the snowpack has hardened up and become well bonded and stable on all aspects. Intermittent snow showers on a gale force North-West wind have left a light dusting of hail and graupel above 900 metres, however accumulations on lee slopes are so small as not to constitute a hazard, with most fresh deposits blowing to the base of the Corries. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/4/01 Overnight a further light dusting of snow will make little difference to the overall snow conditions. It will also remain cold, maintaining a well-bonded and stable snowpack on all aspects. Extremely shallow pockets of blown snow will continue to collect at the base of icy lee slopes but will not present a hazard. Largest areas of snow will remain on North to East aspects above 850 metres. A large cornice will continue to threaten Cinderella in the Inner Coire. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 850 metres. ICING: If it remains cold, there's plenty of climbable ice on the Posts and in the Inner Coire. Pinnacle Buttress is depleted. COMMENT: This is the last report for the season, see you next winter. Please observe the Foot and Mouth disease precautions. Thanks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------