A weak layer
23rd January 2021
Covid -19
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This blog is intended to provide hazard and mountain condition information to help plan safer mountain trips.
It was a cold clear day today. The weak layer underneath the windslab is widespread and will persist while the temperatures remain low. Greatest accumulations of windslab are on East to South aspects with more localised accumulations present on South-West and North-East aspects. Slopes exposed to the recent winds are scoured and stable.
Looking across Loch Avon to the Shelter Stone Crag from Stac an Fharaidh. If you look across the top of Stag Rocks (right hand side) you can see cornices have developed and there are significant accumulations of windslab on the South-East facing slopes. This windslab overlies a soft weak layer and is poorly bonded. You can also just make out some drifting in the moderate westerly winds.
Looking up into Coire Raibert from Stac an Fharaidh. You can see the sastrugi in the foreground. There is plenty of this on the plateau and any area exposed to the recent winds.
More windslab accumulations on an East aspect.
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