A Very Cold Day

8th January 2021

Covid -19

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service issues information to support permitted activity under current Scottish Government guidance.

Please be aware of current mandatory travel restrictions in Local Authority areas within Scotland and respect local communities by referring to Scottish Government guidance and safe route choices for exercise.

This blog is intended to provide hazard and mountain condition information to help plan safer mountain trips.

A glorious day, but very cold with a high windchill. All change tomorrow as it will be an unpleasant and challenging day on the hill! Little change in the snowpack from yesterday except there is around a 6cm covering of new snow from overnight showers. Obviously, it also cleared overnight and winds dropped as there is an all over layer of surface hoar. As the winds strengthen overnight tonight, the soft unconsolidated surface layer will be transported onto sheltered lee slopes forming areas of fresh unstable windslab. Check out the Torridon Avalanche Report on our website for details.

(Above) Good snow cover remains on the mountains of the North West. Slioch on the left with Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair and Sgurr Ban to the right. Torridon hills in the background.

(Above) The summit of A’ Chailleach and its north east coire of Toll an Lochain – the frozen over lochan is just visible. Small cornices are noticeable along the sunlit skyline. Fragile cornices will be prone to collapse tomorrow as the freezing level rises above the summits.

(Above) Snowshoes were the order of the day as the snowpack remains deep and mostly non weight bearing. The mountain hares (tracks visible) have their own permanent snowshoes!

 

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