Climbers need to be aware of avalanche risk
Mountain and skiers should be wary of avalanches in the Cairngorms from the moment they begin ascending the snow-covered hills this winter, according to experts.
The need to be vigilant from day one is highlighted in the Winter 2011/2012 report produced by the Scottish Avalanche Information Service’s (SAIS) co-ordinator Mark Diggins, who is based at Glenmore Lodge.
The SAIS winter season started early in December last year, with a weekend service report being provided in the Northern Cairngorms and Lochaber areas.
It is now snowing heavy in the Cairngorms and the ski season started at the weekend.
Mr Diggins states in the newly-published report: "In early December a weak but limited snowpack caught out the unwary with a number of avalanches being triggered by parties in Creag Meagaidh and Corrie na Lochain in the Northern Cairngorms, fortunately without consequences.
"High winds and snowfall presented areas of windslab and considerable to high avalanche hazard reports being issued.
"This was a reminder that one should be mindful of avalanche hazard from the first day of a winter. Many avalanche services worldwide recognise that the early part of the winter presents a challenge for forecasting.
"Keen winter enthusiasts often forget to consider avalanches in their first days of activity, sometimes with fatal consequences."
In January, clear, calm conditions enticed many climbers and skiers into the hill. Twenty-four avalanches were triggered by people over a 20-day period between January 19 and February 9, with 14 triggered in four days from February 4 to February 7.
Most of these occurred in the eastern regions of the Highlands.
While the period from mid February to the end of March saw the threat diminish, winter conditions returned for April and into May.
The SAIS forecast season was extended well into spring with weekend forecasts being provided in the Northern Cairngorms and Lochaber until May 19.
The threat of avalanche in the Northern Cairngorms was considerable for 42 per cent of SAIS operation days this winter while the figure for the Southern Cairngorms was 26 per cent.
Mr Diggins stressed that human-triggered avalanches were still a possibility for "moderate" hazard, something that people on the hills may not realise.
He explained: "Many national avalanche warning agencies worldwide recognise that the moderate level of hazard presents strong potential for catching people out. The mountain traveller may be off guard, the areas of instability are often more limited in area and may only be present in isolated, steep places, usually high up in corries."
