NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 8/2/99 Stability remains good on many Northerly aspects where slopes are hard, icy and wind scoured. New snow instabilities however were noted on steepest ESE slopes above 1050m where small snow slides were triggered high above Strath Nethy and Loch Avon basin. In these fairly localised areas, such as the exit slopes of Hell's Lum crag, there is a Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 9/2/99 Further moderate snow showers on fresh N winds will put down additional new windslab on ESE to SW aspects. Deepest accumulations are expected on steep scarp slopes above 1050m, giving a High (Category 4) localised hazard of avalanche in these places. Avalanches will occur especially where these slopes and gullies are overhung by new, fragile cornices. The exit slopes above routes on Hell's Lum crag in the Loch Avon basin will again be of particular concern. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Dusting down to strath level with reasonable cover above 550m. ICING: Some build up with colder conditions although plenty of room for improvement. All main gully lines complete and hard underfoot. COMMENT: Poor visibility on plateaux. Map and compass a pre-requisite for winter mountain activities! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 8/2/99 Shallow accumulations of fresh unconsolidated snow exist, mainly on NE through to S aspects. In some localised areas, more significant accumulations are present and will exhibit surface instabilities. These deposits are generally located at the tops of E, SE and S facing slopes and gullies. In these localised areas the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). On snow slopes exposed to the wind, a stable and frozen snow surface exists. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 9/2/99 The cold Northerly airflow will continue to bring snow showers overnight and during Tuesday. Further deposits of unstable snow will form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops of E, SE and S facing slopes and gullies. Where significant accumulations of this fresh snow exists, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Wind scoured slopes will remain frozen and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover of fresh snow exists above 600m. Main accumulations of old snow remain above 700m. ICING: Remaining cold at all levels. COMMENT: Another pleasant day in prospect. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 8/2/99 The snowpack is generally firm and stable. Exposed N facing slopes are wind scoured and very icy. Sheltered areas on NE through to S facing slopes above 750m have areas of soft windslab containing layers of hail. Where these localised patches of soft slab overlie snow ice on steep E to S facing slopes and in sheltered gullies the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 9/2/99 Cold conditions with light snow showers and strong Northerly winds will affect the area. Windslab will continue to accumulate in sheltered hollows and gullies and on East through to Southwest slopes mainly above 750m. These areas of windslab will be layered and weakly bonded on steeper slopes and in gullies. In these locations the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snow will remain very icy and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 650m. ICING: Ice forming on rocks above 300m. COMMENT: Crampons and axe essential; snowpack generally "bone" hard especially on N slopes. Steep descents into corries require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 8/1/99 Wintry showers and strong NW to N winds are maintaining the windslab build up on to existing unstable deposits. Most deposits lie on sheltered E to S facing slopes where cornices are also developing. Some localised deposits also lie in sheltered areas of some N facing corries. The avalanche hazard for these areas is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 9/1/99 Continuing cold conditions will maintain the recent unstable snow deposits. Light snowfall and strong N winds will continue drifting and further windslab build up will occur. Most unstable deposits and cornices will be on steep E to SW facing slopes with some localised deposits in sheltered areas of some N facing corries. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. Unstable cornices remain a hazard. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels. Largest deposits remain on N to E facing slopes. ICING: Some good ice development is occurring, many gullies banked out with snow. Buttresses holding some snow with good snow-ice in places. COMMENT: Remaining very cold throughout the period. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 8/2/99 REPORT DELAYED UNTIL AT LEAST 17.30 HRS AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 9/2/99 CLIMBING CONDITIONS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 8/2/99 Last night snowfalls in the Eastern mountains failed to reach the Creag Meagaidh region. However variable winds have left deep accumulations of soft slab in sheltered gullies and hollows of a N through to SE aspect above 800m. There is a Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 9/2/99 Further light to moderate snowfalls on fresh N wind will continue to load soft slab into sheltered gullies and hollows. Although E through to W aspects above 800m will be worst affected, variable winds in the corries will cause soft slab to form in any sheltered area on any aspect. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Deep and soft in the gullies. ICING: Lots of it, some very good, some rotten and hollow. That's half the fun ain't it? COMMENT: Remaining cold. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------