Scotland is gearing up for the winter season as December roars in with predicted gusts on the mountain tops of up to 80mph this weekend.
Testing the snowpack in Lochaber
Many Munros have a covering of snow and the ski slope at Cairn Gorm is due to start running tomorrow.
There are accumulations of snow above 850m and, weather permitting, the Ptarmigan tow will open on Cairn Gorm from tomorrow. Skiers should be warned, however, that there is no gear hire service this coming week, so you will need to take your own. Conditions through the webcam are showing fairly lean accumulations at Ptarmigan, but the first funicular up the mountain is due to leave at 10am tomorrow, Saturday, after annual maintenance was completed two days ahead of schedule. Last train down is 4.20pm.
Be aware too, that the funicular will close if wind speeds exceed 85mph. Ask yourself if you really want to be on the mountain in winds that strong! Check with the resort before you set out if in any doubt about weather conditions.
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) will launch this season’s regular reports in two weeks’ time. Blyth Wright, the service’s co-ordinator, told grough that avalanche forecasts will be available for Lochaber and the northern Cairngorms from 14 December, with the other areas, Creag Meagaidh, southern Cairngorms and Glencoe a week later.
The SAIS reports are compiled by real people going up on the mountains and assessing snowpack conditions. The results of their snowpit tests are uploaded to the website daily and are essential for any mountaineers and skiers who venture on to Scotland’s mountains in winter.
Last year’s useful blogs will run again, with notes and photographs taken by the assessors uploaded regularly. All the areas except Glencoe are covered by the blogs which also give an idea of the conditions the avalanche testers work under.
The 2006-7 season was the service’s most successful, with only one avalanche incident reported. However, it was a grim winter for fatal accidents, with five mountaineers dying in Coire an t-Sneachda on Cairn Gorm.
See also
Take the snow test before you head for the mountains
