Liathach. Photo: Silvain de Munck

A climber has been injured after being caught in an avalanche on a Highland mountain.

The man, who has not been named, was with another climber on Liathach in Torridon when the incident happened at about 11.45am today. Torridon Mountain Rescue Team and the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter have gone to the man’s aid.

A spokesperson for the Northern Constabulary said: “The man is conscious, cold and has an arm injury. Stornoway Coastguard’s Rescue 100 helicopter is at the scene and it is anticipated the man will be airlifted to safety.”

A search is also underway on Ben Nevis’s north face after an avalanche was reported to police by a member of the public just after 10.45 this morning.

The report suggested two people had been caught in the avalanche. Members of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and a Sea King helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth have gone to the area, which lies between Tower Ridge and Number Five Gully.

A police spokesperson said: “The rescue operation is ongoing and involves the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and Rescue 137 [the RAF helicopter].

“There is no confirmation at this time that the two individuals are actually buried in the snow and the situation will become clearer as the team makes its way onto the hill.

“Conditions are favourable at this time although there is still a risk of further avalanche.

“Rescuers will take their own safety into account during the operation and will continue to assess the situation.”

The sportscotland Avalanche Information Service reports an expected hazard level of moderate on northern aspects, which indicates that, although natural avalanches are unlikely, human-triggered falls are possible. Soft windslab is present.

Although Liathach is not covered by the SAIS forecasts, Creag Meagaidh, to the South-East, has considerable avalanche risk on some aspects, with marginally stabilised windslab.