LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 10/1/99 The snowpack is generally stable at all levels. Localised deposits of slab are still present in sheltered locations above 1200m, although accumulations are not generally significant in quantity. Where this slab is present, the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 11/1/99 The cold settled weather is expected to continue overnight and during Monday. The snowpack will remain generally stable at all levels. Localised areas of slab will still be present in sheltered locations above 1200m, although accumulations will not generally be significant in quantity. Where this slab is present, the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fairly widespread cover above 700m. ICING: Remaining cold. Reports of many routes being climbed on Aonach Mor and Ben Nevis, in fairly good early season condition. COMMENT: Snow surface remains frozen. Ice-axe and crampons essential for everyone venturing on to the hills. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 10/1/99 The cold and dry conditions have continued to stabilised the snowpack which is now generally well bonded and stable in most locations and at all levels. Some very small localised patches of thin windslab exist above 950m in summit gullies with a NW to NE aspect these are generally insignificant the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Most areas are icy and stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 11/1/99 The cold settled weather is expected to continue overnight with winds increasing from the SW during the course of Monday, generally dry cold conditions can be anticipated. Little change is expected to the existing snowpack during the reporting period. The snowpack stability will remain good at all levels. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700m. ICING: Ice above 500m. COMMENT: Reasonable climbing conditions exist on buttresses above 800m. Gullies will have isolated patches of thin soft windslab, mainly below the headwalls . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 10/1/99 Little change from yesterday with very cold, calm mountain conditions leaving the snowpack reasonably well bonded on most slopes. However very isolated shallow accumulations of unstable soft slab remain on N to SW aspects and hard on N to E aspects above 800m. Sheltered cornices, hollows and at the very tops of gullies and slopes are particularly affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) in these very isolated areas. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 11/1/99 An Atlantic weather system moving in from the West will see a change in the settled high pressure of the last few days. The snowpack will remain reasonably well bonded in most areas, however increasing moderate SW winds will see windslab building on slopes of a NW through to E aspect above 750m, particulary on sheltered scarp slopes below cornices, gullies and hollows. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) in these areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good, frozen cover above 750m. ICING: Thin, hollow and scarey- but climable on selective routes. COMMENT:Another barmy winters day in Creag Meagaidh today!. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 10/1/99 The snowpack is stable in most locations. A thin surface crust was noted on most recent thin drifted snow and a little soft slab formed late in the period on SW to W aspects above 1100m. Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 11/1/99 Good stability is expected in most locations until the onset of stronger SW winds late in the day. As these winds strengthen they will re-deposit existing snow as windslab primarily on N to NE aspects above 1000m. Stability will decline in these areas and where greatest quantity of new slab develops the avalanche hazard will increase to Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin covering of fresh snow still present at all levels on Sunday ICING: Little change in current steady build up. Many routes climbed in N.Corries and Loch Avon basin. COMMENT: Don't get caught out by deteriorating weather late on Monday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN10/1/99 The continuing cold conditions have left localised pockets of poorly bonded snow on many aspects above 900m. These deposits are mostly in sheltered gully areas and scarps and although unstable are generally avoidable. The avlanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 11/1/99 Continuing cold with light winds and the odd light snow shower overnight will result in little change to the poorly bonded snow on many aspects. Strengthening SW winds during Monday will lead to new deposits of moderately to weakly bonded windslab on N to E slopes above 900m. The avalache hazard will become Considerable (Cat 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow above 600m with more or less complete cover above 1000m. ICING: Lean conditions with buttresses holding soft snow. A slight thaw freeze cycle would improve things. COMMENT: Remaining cold with best ice in natural watercourses such as Eagles Rock etc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------