a grim start to the winter

Wed, Dec 30, 2009

The Avalanche information service SAIS have been warning about the very still, calm conditions that have been the norm over the last fortnight or so in the Scottish mountains. This lets phenomenally beautiful but deadly crystals grow in the still air:

If the wind doesn’t destroy them and they get buried by another snowfall they form a sliding layer which causes an avalanche and that’s what’s happened today, three times. Ben Nevis, Liathach and Beinn an Dothaidh. I don’t know where the avalanche on Liathach was but when I saw the hill on Sunday it was plastered. This is the view of the normal descent route, taken from Maol Cheann Dearg last Sunday:

The avalanche forecast for Lochaber which includes Ben Nevis is for a Moderate hazard above 900m on all aspects. Unfortunately two folk have died in Number 3 Gully on the NE face of the Ben. Liathach isn’t covered by any reports but the Glencoe reports. which at a pinch could include Bridge of Orchy for Beinn an Dothaidh say Considerable on West to South aspects above 900m.

If you’re heading for the Scottish mountains this winter, stay safe and watch the SAIS reports. There’s a lot of snow out there.