LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 30/1/04 Large areas of moderately to weakly bonded snow are present on many aspects. Greatest accumulations are on North, North East, East and South East aspects above 900m, notably gullies, scarp slopes and crag aprons. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity observed on SE aspect at 1200m on Aonach Mor leaving a 1m crown wall. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 31/1/04 Cold conditions are expected with no significant new snow. Large areas of moderately to weakly bonded snow will be present on many aspects. Greatest accumulations will be on North, North East, East and South East aspects above 900m, notably gullies, scarp slopes and crag aprons. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover above 600m. ICING: Freezing level expected around 300m on Saturday. COMMENT: Little change in the snowpack during the forecast period. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 30/1/04 Slightly milder temperatures have brought a little consolidation to the main accumulations of most recent snow on North through East to South aspects below 750 metres. Stability above this altitude is at best marginal and in many steep gullies and scarp slopes, poor. Very large, recently formed and fragile- looking cornices overhang many of these slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 31/1/04 Generally dry, cooler conditions will assist the stabilisation of the most recent snow deposits that lie on slopes of most aspects below 800 metres. Above this altitude, in particular in steep North through East to South-facing gullies, exit ramps and sheltered scarp slopes, the avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). The cornices that overhang these locations will remain suspect and, in the event of collapse, will put a high additional load on the slopes below. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow remains at all levels. A bit of a 'plough' when off the beaten track. ICING: Crags plastered with recent snow and hiding what little there is. COMMENT: Very large, gnarly-looking cornices are present above many steep slopes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 30/1/04 In the past 24 hours there have been further snow showers, gradual warming and winds mainly from the North-West. There has been some settlement of the recent storm snow however there are still areas of deep foot penetration on a variety of aspects. While no shears were observed where sampled, there are areas with firm over soft layers contributing to the fair stability condition. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 31/1/04 Snow showers will ease with lighter variable direction winds contributing to some additional snow transport. Loading of the recent storm snow remains highly variable by aspect. Steep unsupported terrain above 900 metres on North, East and South aspects will have fair stability snowpack due to weak bonding of the firm layers overlying softer layers. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Vast improvement on and off piste, bare ground areas persist. Boulder fields are tricky walking. ICING: Numerous long ice screws not required. COMMENT: Careful route finding required among the highly variable snow distribution. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 30/1/04 Weakly bonded deep windslab exists in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North to South-Easterly aspect above 900 metres. Weak cornices exist above many of these locations. Below 900 metres light rain and milder temperatures have brought a slow thaw which is aiding the general consolidation process in all but the deepest accumulations of windslab. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 31/1/04 Cold conditions with no significant precipitation and strengthening Easterly winds are forecast. Deeper accumulations of windslab will remain in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North to South-Easterly aspect mainly above 900 metres. Gully exits and scarp slopes sheltered from the prevailing winds will also be affected by fresh accumulations as wind speed increases. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700 m. ICING: Ice above 500m. COMMENT: Reasonable outlook getting windy later in day ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 30/1/04 Moderately to weakly bonded deposits are to be found in sheltered locations on E through S to SW aspects above 800 metres. Snow in these areas remains multi-layered with clean shears achieved even on easier angled slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 31/1/04 It should be a dry day with light winds. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will persist in sheltered locations on E through S to SW aspects above 800 metres. Gully exits and scarp slopes are likely to provide the greatest hazard. Later in the period strong winds may start to redistribute available deposits on to W aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thawing at lower levels today with both wind blown areas and drifted snow higher up. ICING: Lochnagar is looking more wintry but ice is only slowly reforming. No easy ticks at the moment! COMMENT: Trail breaking required on remote tracks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------