CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/1/98
Cold, clear and calm. The snowpack has become generally well bonded
on all aspects and altitudes. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category
1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK  SUN 25/1/98
The cold and fine weather is expected to continue. This will
maintain the generally stable snowpack. The avalanche hazard will be
Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy, but where it exists it is rock hard.

ICING: Starting to get thicker.

COMMENT: If anybody knows of an ice supplier, contact us. We need
several thousand tonnes of ice to fill up our gullies!!



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GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/1/98
The cold dry conditions affecting the area at present have
stabilised the snowpack forming an icy crust in many locations. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1)


AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/1/98
Cold dry conditions with light Southerly winds will continue
overnight and on Sunday and will maintain the snowpack in a stable
condition. The icy surface crust will become firmer and more
extensive. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700m.

ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 400m.

COMMENT: Colder temperatures are improving conditions. Icy crust on
much of the snow cover, axe and crampons essential



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LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/1/98
The continuing colder conditions have maintained a frozen and stable
snowpack at all levels. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/1/98
Little change is expected over the next 24 hours to the present
cold, dry weather. Snow stability will remain excellent through-out
the period. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations are in N and E facing corries
above 900m.
ICING: Freezing at all levels overnight and during Sunday.
COMMENT: All existing snow is hard frozen so ice-axe and crampons
are essential for all hill users.



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SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/1/98
Colder conditions have left the remaining snowpack
crusty but well bonded and stable. There was a little
new snow overnight but this doesn't affect the avalanche
hazard which is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/1/98
There will be little change with freezing temperatures
at all levels and only a sprinkling of snow during the
night. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category
1).

                   CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow cover, with most deposits
on N facing slopes and sheltered areas above 700m.

ICING: Starting to improve in Lochnagar .

COMMENT: Lochnagar routes being climbed/attempted today
include Shadow A, Kings Head Chimney, Eagle Ridge,
Parallel B, Raeburns, Pinnacle Face, Black Spout
Buttress.



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NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/1/98
The patchy snowpack is stable in all locations. Cold temperatures
are maintaining a crusty surface layer in many places. These same
cold conditions have also encouraged the development of some
facetted crystals in thin pockets of residual windslab that lie at
the very top of some steep W to NW aspects. Easy shears were noted
in this snow but the overall avalanche hazard remains Low (Category
1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/1/98
Little change is expected in avalanche conditions over the forecast
period. Some very light snow flurries are possible but these will
fall in gentle winds of variable direction and so give a light
general dusting. Stability will be good in all areas. Low (Category
1) hazard of avalanche.
                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy and hard and icy. Incomplete plateau cover
with largest patches above 900m.
ICING: Improving, but what exists is being well used. Pleasing
snow/ice in popular gully lines.
COMMENT: Ski area and N.Corries very busy on Sat. Good forecast
means there will be no let up on Sunday either.



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