NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 25/1/98
The patchy snowpack remains stable in all locations. Hard or crusty
surface layers prevail in most places, although old, thin windslab
lies high on steep W to NW aspects. Easy shears on facetted crystals
were again noted in this old slab but for the moment this is of
academic interest only. Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 26/1/98
Cold, calm conditions will again bring little or no change to the
currently stable snowpack. Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy and where it's not crusty it's hard and
icy. Largest patches above 900m. Plateau cover incomplete but it's
possible to link patches for ski-tour from ski area to Ben Macdui.
ICING: Continues to improve. Good snow/ice in gullies.
COMMENT: Blue sky day on Sunday, with Monday looking promising.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 25/1/98
The continuing colder weather is having little effect on the
existing snowpack which remains stable. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 26/1/98
The cold settled conditions are expected to continue overnight and
during Monday. The snowpack will remain stable. The avalanche hazard
will remain Low (Category 1). Some solar warming may occur on S
aspects above 1200m.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in N and E facing
corries above 900m.
ICING: Freezing at all levels.
COMMENT: Snow remains hard frozen. Ice-axe and crampons essential.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 25/1/98
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 MON 26/1/98
Cold dry conditions with light variable winds will continue
overnight and for much of Monday. Milder conditions later in the day
will not significantly affect the stability of the snowpack. The
avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) with an icy surface
crust on much of the snowcover.

                         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





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 25/1/98
A dusting of snow overnight has left some small and shallow
pockets of soft slab in sheltered areas on N aspects but in
general the snowpack remains well bonded and stable. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 26/1/98
The calm conditions will continue but the freezing level
will rise throughout the day to just above the summits.
This will not affect the avalanche hazard which will remain
Low (Category 1).

                   CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A sparse, hard and icy snowpack exists
mainly on N facing slopes and sheltered areas above
700m.
ICING: Building steadily in Lochnagar .
COMMENT: After yesterday`s climbing extravaganza
Lochnagar was a little quieter, but routes today included
Raeburn`s Groove, Bell`s Route, Douglas Gibson, Eagle
Ridge, Parallel A and other easier routes.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 25/1/98
The continuing cold temperatures have caused isolated sub-surface
instabilities to begin to form in very localised areas with a N to E
aspect above 950m. Steep slopes where these instabilities exist
beneath a hard surface crust present the greatest hazard. In these
areas the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the
snowpack is generally well bonded and stable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 26/1/98
Cold, calm conditions overnight and tomorrow will cause kinetic
growth of sub-surface crystals to continue. Isolated instabilities
in very localised areas will therefore remain. The affected areas
are steep slopes with a N to E aspect above 950m, and the main
hazard is where these instabilities lie beneath a hard surface
crust. In these areas the avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack will be generally well bonded
and stable.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Sparse and patchy, greatest accumulations in N to
E facing gullies above 700m.
ICING: Continuing to build slowly - but still very lean. All easy
gully lines are virtually complete.
COMMENT: It's a race now between the ice forming and the next thaw
arriving!



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