NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/2/99 
Stability remains good in most climbing venues of a N aspect 
where conditions are hard and icy underfoot. Areas of windslab 
do exist and are found on steep, primarily ESE aspects (with 
some cross loading of E slopes) above 1000m. In these locations 
some fresh windblown deposits have maintained a Considerable 
(Category 3) hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/2/99
Little change is expected over the period with light snow 
showers and NW winds. A Considerable (Category 3) hazard of 
avalanche will be maintained on steep ESE aspects above 
1000m where deposits of windslab will continue to develop. 
Some cross loading onto E aspects is also a consideration. 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A dusting of snow at all levels with 
drifting and reasonable cover on higher ground and plateau 
areas.
ICING: Still developing. Gully lines complete with hard 
conditions underfoot. Buttresses white with new snow and 
limited ice.
COMMENT: Northern Coires busy, most trade routes receiving 
ascents.

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/2/99 
Light deposits of snow and NW winds overnight and during
Wednesday have not added significantly to the existing snowpack.
Localised areas of unstable soft windslab are still present on
sheltered scarp slopes and gullies with E, SE and S aspects above
800m. In locations where significant accumulations are present
the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/2/99
A Westerly airflow with accompanying light snow is expected
overnight and into Thursday. Little change is expected to the
existing snowpack. Localised areas of unstable soft windslab will
remain on sheltered scarp slopes and gullies with an E, SE and S
aspect above 800m. In theses localised areas the avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A light dusting of fresh snow above 
600m. Main accumulations above 700m.
ICING: Freezing level rising to 650m overnight and during 
Thursday.
COMMENT: Slightly milder conditions returning.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/2/99
The snowpack is generally firm and stable. Exposed slopes with 
a N aspect are wind scoured and very icy. Pockets of windslab 
containing hail exist on sheltered NE to S facing slopes above 
750m. Layered soft slab lying in summit gullies is weakly 
bonded. In these localised areas the avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/2/99
A Westerly wind will deposit a dusting of fresh snow above 600m.
Shallow deposits of windslab will accumulate in NE to E facing
summit gullies: soft slab will remain in gullies facing NE
through to S. In these areas the avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will remain
firm and icy in many places.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 650m.
ICING: Ice on rocks above 300m.
COMMENT: Crampons and axe essential; snowpack generally 
"bone" hard. Descents into corries require caution.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/2/99
Light showers and N to NW winds have continued to add further 
light deposits to an already weakly bonded snowpack. Poorest 
stability is on steeper slopes of E to S aspects above 900m
where tests revealed easy shears. Cornice triggered debris was 
noted in some E corries. The avalanche hazard is High
(Category 4).  

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/2/99
A change to slightly milder conditions will help snow begin to 
stabilise, but moderately to weakly bonded snow will remain on 
E to S aspects above 900m where avalanches are likely. Cornices 
will remain suspect and the avalanche hazard will be 
Considerable (Category 3). Other aspects will remain scoured 
except for some localised areas of poorly bonded deposits.  


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally patchy.  
ICING: Some around but it is quite brittle.
COMMENT: Freezing levels will be around 670m during 
Thursday.
 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/2/99 
With only light snow showers on a moderate WNW wind the snow
conditions have improved slightly. Accumulations of soft windslab
are evident mainly in sheltered gullies and hollows of a NE
through to SE aspect above 800m. However due to variable winds in
the corries these localised area of slab may be encountered in
sheltered areas on any aspect. Most other slopes are wind scoured
and stable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) in
these localised areas.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/2/99
Light snow showers on a moderate NW wind will continue. The
freezing level will rise to around 700m. Localised areas of
windslab will remain on NE through to SE aspects above 800m and
in sheltered areas on other aspects. Most other slopes will
remain consolidated and stable. The avalanche hazard will remain
Considerable (Category 3) in these localised areas.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750m. Good snow-ice
on most slopes.
ICING: Very good in places with most routes being
climbed. Not so hot on the snowier routes.
COMMENT: Becoming slightly milder, but not enough to 
cause much damage.




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