NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/2/96
A few late snow flurries on light E winds have created isolated
patches of soft slab on some W aspects but these present only a
Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche. The remainder of the
sparse snowpack is stable with hard snow-ice in some areas.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/2/96
Light to moderate snow showers on  NE breezes may result in the
localised accumulation of moderately stabilised windslab on
some SW aspects. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche
wherever new windslab development is greatest in those
locations. The remainder of the snowpack is expected to remain
stable.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:
Generally sparse. Snow line approx. 1000m and unlikely to
improve much in near future. More rime than snow on plateau.
ICING:
Relatively poor. Ice is slow to build on most well known ice
pitches, though 'The Cascade' adjacent to Hell's Lum has seen
some trade.
COMMENT:
Most easy gully lines reasonable or good. Buttress routes above
their usual grade in present conditions eg. 'Haston's Route' on
Mess of Pottage a steady Grade 4 and 'Escalator' on Hell's
Lum a fair Grade 3.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/2/96
Significant snow accumulations are restricted to areas of old
frozen snow and small areas of hard windslab. These
accumulations are generally in gully beds and other hollows
above 800m. The hard windslab is further restricted to W and NW
aspects. Where the slab exists, the avalanche hazard is
Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack is stable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/2/96
The cold settled weather is expected to continue overnight and
on Saturday. This will have little effect on the existing
snowpack. Any unstable snow will tend to be in localised
deposits, restricted to gully beds and other sheltered
locations, on W and NW aspects. Where this snow exists, the
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the
snowpack will be stable.



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting of snow above 600m.
ICING: Ice continuing to form above 100m.
COMMENT: Some ice routes complete on the West face of Aonach
Mor and on the Ben.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/2/96
A thin covering of snow exists above 300m.Isolated pockets of
windslab are present on W to N facing slopes and in sheltered
summit gullies. Where windslab overlies snow ice the avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/2/96
The cold dry settled conditions will continue with no great
change occuring to the existing snowpack or the amount snow
cover. On W to N facing corrie headwalls and summit gullies
pockets of windslab will remain.Where snow ice underlies
windslab the avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A light covering of snow above 350m.

ICING: Ice forming at all levels.

COMMENT: Many of the lower ice climbs in the Glen have  been
climbed during the past week i.e. The Bubble,The Sreen,No 6
Gully, Great Gully and many other frozen waterfalls.
Buttresses in Coire nan Lochan also receiving some attention.

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