NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14-1-00
Further snow showers on Northerly winds have created 
substantial fresh deposits on Southerly aspects.  New slab layers 
lie on a bed of very hard snow-ice.  Very easy shears were 
found within slab layers and on the bed surface on a South 
facing slope at 1200 metres. Some Northerly aspects still have a 
surface layer of medium hard slab which fails easily.  The 
avalanche hazard is High (Category 4).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15-1-00
A dry day with light winds will bring a little further 
accumulation on  South-East facing slopes.  Recent slab 
accumulations on East through to South aspects will still present 
a hazard.  Surface layers of medium hard slab on some North 
and North-East facing slopes will still require caution, 
particularly on scarp slopes and gully tops. Avalanches, 
potentially large, will occur on East  through to South aspects, 
especially above 900 metres. Routes in to Loch Avon Basin 
climbs will be hazardous.  The avalanche hazard will be High 
(Category 4).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Now "full winter" cover.
ICING: Northern Corries classics receiving ascents.
COMMENT: More amenable weather in view.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/1/00
A cold Northerly airflow overnight and during Friday has not 
significantly stabilised the existing snowpack. Areas of fresh 
unstable windslab are present at the tops of SE, S and SW 
aspects above 900m. Existing areas of unstable windslab 
remains on NE and E aspects. The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3). Controlled release by explosives on 
East aspects, Aonach Mor, produced deep slab releases to old 
ice layer.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/1/00
NW winds during the forecast period will continue to 
redistribute snow to form fresh areas of unstable windslab. 
Greatest accumulations will be on SE, S, and SW aspects above 
900m. Existing unstable snow on NE and E aspects will remain. 
Where significant deposits occur on steep slopes, the tops of 
gullies and scarp slopes, avalanches are likely. The avalanche 
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover above 800m.
ICING: Windblown slopes are hard frozen.
COMMENT: Ice axe and crampons essential for hill users.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/1/00
The North-Easterly airflow has been depositing soft slab on to
slopes with a S through to W aspect mainly above 700 metres. N 
through to E facing corrie headwalls and particularly sheltered 
summit gullies still contain areas of deep layered windslab. In 
these locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 
3). Some cornices are becoming large and unstable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/1/00
Light NW winds will transport soft snow and deposit windslab 
on to sheltered NE through to SE slopes mainly above 700
metres. Further layers of soft slab will accumulate on corrie 
headwalls and in summit gullies which will be topped by 
unstable cornices. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 600m.

ICING: Ice above 600m.

COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges the safer option.
 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/1/00
Overnight a change in wind direction has redeposited recent 
accumulations. N to E aspects are mainly scoured with some 
localised unstable areas in sheltered locations but on SE to SW 
aspects extensive areas of slab are to found. On steeper slopes 
where this overlies existing harder snow ice stability was poor 
and the hazard of avalanche Considerable (Category 3). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/1/00
There will be little change in the current condition of the 
snowpack. N to E aspects will have unstable snow in localised 
areas including some gullies and SE to SW aspects will continue 
to hold larger areas of windslab. Here surface stability will 
remain poor, particularly on steeper slopes where it overlies 
harder snow ice. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Softer snow to be found on E to S 
aspects, otherwise slopes scoured.
ICING: Reasonable above 900 metres. 
COMMENT: Some good snow ice around.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/1/00
Fresh North-Easterly winds have caused accumulations of
unstable windslab to form in sheltered gullies and hollows on 
South-East through South to South West aspects above 800
metres. Northerly aspects are generally stable, but isolated 
patches of shallow windslab may be encountered in sheltered 
areas. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/1/00
Cold and relatively calm weather means that there will little 
change to the current snow conditions. Unstable windslab will 
remain on South-East through South to South-West aspects
above 800 metres. Northerly aspects will remain relatively stable 
but are still overhung by large cornices in places. The avalanche 
hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 600 metres. Good 
ski-touring after a short walk.             
ICING: Enough ice on most routes.
COMMENT: Mostly settled snow conditions on Northerly aspects.
Arrive early to avoid the crowds!




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