Low vs No
8th February 2025
A fine day in the Northern Cairngorms with high cloud giving the occasional very light snow flurry. Conditions remain quite lean in the settled weather, but it is remaining cold.
Many of the crags were busy with climbers today, may of whom were seeking out the snowier lines which benefit from good névé (snow ice). The “dry” conditions of the crags do however mean that the threat of rock fall from other parties is ever present.
Returning to the avalanche report, the regional picture for the Northern Cairngorms is one of “mostly stable”. However, as the title of the blog indicates a Low Hazard categories do no equal No Hazard. That is certainly the case at the moment. Some isolated accumulations of windslab are persisting in steep locations close to the coire rim, in convex terrain and in gully tops.
With forethought and good visibility these can be avoided. In some very specific locations these accumulations are poorly bonded to the underlying older snow. Bonding is unlikely to improve given the settled cold conditions.
For those interested in these things, digging in the snowpack at the moment might be worthwhile (or have a look at todays profile). Air temperatures will remain cold, with a relatively shallow snowpack giving the potential for steep temperature gradients and associated facet development.
This image taken from Lochan Dubh a’Chadha gives a good indication of the snow distribution at the moment. Thanks Joy Grindrod.
A few people silhouetted on the Fiacaill Ridge.
Looking west towards the ptarmigan and Cairngorm Ski Area. As is frequently the case, looking East the landscape looks largely devoid of snow as these slopes have been exposed to the wind in previous days.
Climbers heading up the ‘Great Slab’ in Coire an Lochain. Generally firm and lean conditions in this location make for committing approaches to some crags.
The Coire Cas car park was particularly busy with ski tourers this morning. Given the lean conditions Cairngorm Mountain are requesting ski tourers to use the line of the ‘Day Lodge Poma’ (or adjacent path), followed by the ‘M2’. This does require a bit of a walk at the moment but is quite a pleasant way up the mountain.
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