NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/1/06 Light snow has fallen on strong South-East winds. Fresh windslab has formed in isolated hollows above 900 metres with deeper accumulations lying on steep West to North aspects above 1100 metres. On a Northerly aspect at 1110 metres shovel shear tests revealed shear planes within the newly formed slab and on the old ice layer. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/1/06 It will be a dry day with strong Southerly winds. Although localised, windslab will continue to affect steep West to North aspects above 1100 metres. Some instability will be present especially where deeper accumulations lie. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Drifts forming on Northerly aspects above 1100 metres. ICING: Turf well frozen, buttresses turning white, conditions lean but shaping up. COMMENT: Routes on South facing crags most popular today. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/1/06 Southerly winds and occasional light snow on high summits affected the area today. Refrozen and stable snow is present mainly on North and East aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/1/06 Cold and dry conditions will continue overnight and on Sunday. The existing snowpack will remain stable and well bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations on North and East aspects above 1000m. ICING: Light riming on the highest cliffs. Climbable ice present. COMMENT: Freeze-thaw expected to continue into the week. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/1/06 Cold and settled conditions with only a trace of new snow have left the snowpack in a well bonded condition. Above 950 metres the odd pocket of shallow windslab exists in sheltered summit gullies. These accumulations are isolated and are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/1/06 Cold, dry conditions with fresh South-Easterly winds will continue to affect the area. The snowpack will remain well bonded in most areas. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 900 metres. ICING: Freezing level 450 metres. COMMENT: Slopes and gulliss with a North-West to North- Easterly aspect above 900 metres have the best snow cover. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/1/06 There has been some light snowfall leading to new accumulations on W to N aspects above 900 metres. New deposits are well bonded and do not alter the avalanche hazard which is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/1/06 Another cold and dry day will maintain the current conditions. General cover will continue to be thin with some well bonded deeper accumulations being found in sheltered locations on mainly W to N aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally thin with some firm patches and occasional pockets of fresh snow. ICING: Some limited ice on the crags with rocks rimed. COMMENT: Tracks and paths remain icy. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/1/06 It has been cold and dry again with moderate South-East winds. The snowpack is stable but very sparse and consists of isolated snow patches above 800 metres. Lager snow patches are to be found above 900 metres on North through to South-East facing gully tops and corrie rims. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/1/06 It will be dry and cold overnight and on Sunday. What remains of the snowpack will remain tightly bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The hills hereabouts look distinctly mottled. ICING: Continues to build in steep drainage lines but is comparatively lean. COMMENT: Car park pretty quiet again on Saturday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------