Go carefully on Cairngorm, says SAIS
Despite the “arrival of spring” snow fields remain in the Cairngorms and walkers and climbers are warned to watch the weather.
Over the last few days the weather seems to have turned from winter temperatures to spring temperatures at last and avalanche triggering potential is greatly reduced – but as the Scottish Avalanche Information Service wound down for the year caution was still advised.
Spokesman Mark Diggins told the Strathy: “We recommend that mountain goers venturing into the hills continue to observe weather forecasts prior to their excursions and visual observations of conditions during their trip.
“This information is important in making good plans and allowing for flexible decision making when in the mountains and hills.
“Snow fields remain present in all mountain areas above 750m, sometimes extensive above 1000m in the Cairngorms and Ben Nevis areas. These will continue to present a slipping and falling hazard if firm and icy and surface sloughing on steep sunny slopes.”
Cornices are a hazard threatening many slopes, Mr Diggins warned.
“These are unpredictable and prone to collapse in the warm spring conditions.
“Also the potential for full-depth avalanches due to snow creep producing glide cracks in deeper accumulations on steep east-facing slopes also presents an unpredictable hazard, so these areas are worth avoiding as any avalanche activity may occur when the first cracks appear, several days or weeks later, or not release at all.”
