NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 3/2/96
Light overnight snow showers on NE winds have created some
localised accumulations of new windslab high on SW aspects.
Whilst these show some marginal instability the avalanche
hazard is only Moderate (Category 2) in these locations. A
facetted layer of snow underlies some older windslab on a few
high NW to N aspects, but in general the remainder of the
snowpack is stable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 4/2/96
Early dry, calm conditions are expected to result in generally
good snowpack stability on Sunday. However, increasing S winds
late in the period may re-deposit lying snow as moderately
stabilised windslab on steep N-facing slopes and gullies where
it may pose a Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:
A new thin dusting of fresh snow at all levels on Saturday.
However, the snowpack remains sparse.
ICING:
Remains relatively poor.
COMMENT:
Northern Corries very busy on Saturday. Buttress routes
receiving a lot of attention and are above grade in present
conditions. Easy gully lines suffering mass ascents - 15
observed in Aladdin's Couloir!



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 3/2/96
A light dusting of snow accompanied by E winds have formed
localised areas of soft slab on W and NW facing slopes. Areas
of hard slab also exist on the same aspects. These areas of
localised slab are restricted to slopes and gully beds above
900m. Main accumulations are on the W facing slopes of Aonach
Mor. Where the slab exists the avalanche hazard is Moderate
(Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 4/2/96
Overnight there will be little change to the snowpack as cold
calm conditions prevail. As the day progresses an increasing S
wind will re-deposit snow onto slopes with a N aspect. Areas of
soft and hard slab will exist on W, NW and N aspects, these
localised areas of slab will be restricted to slopes above
900m, the avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2).
Elsewhere the snowpack will remain stable.



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting above 600m. Main accumulations
on W facing slopes of Aonach Mor.
ICING: Ice will begin to thaw at lower levels in the afternoon.
COMMENT: Ice routes on the Ben and Aonach Mor have had ascents
in the last few days.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 3/2/96
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 SUN 4/2/96
The cold dry settled conditions will continue with no great
change occuring to the existing snowpack or the amount snow of
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 above 250m.

COMMENT: Low level ice climbs receiving attention such as The
Screen, No 6 Gully, Finlay's Rise, The Bubble, Avalanche Gully
etc. Some falling ice hazard reported. Buttresses in Stob coire
nan Lochan are also quite good.

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