South-Easterly flow continues…
24th January 2026
Another day of observations hampered by poor visibility and gale force winds. Unstable windslab is present on South-West through North to North-East aspects above 850 metres. This is mainly present on steep lee aspects and therefore affects the coire rims, gully tops and crag aprons. At lower elevations between 600 metres and 850 metres, localised instabilities are present in drifts and steep terrain features, such as those found around the ‘Chalamain Gap’, ‘Carn Lochan na Beinne’ and ‘Stac nah-lolaire’. These are localised but present an unusual situation which has been absent in previous years. In the past areas like these have all experienced human triggered avalanches, particularly as groups search out lower altitude training locations to practise winter skills.
The freezing level will rise a touch tomorrow, improving stability at elevations below 850 metres. Aloft, another day of active drifting and snowfall is expected as the South-Easterly flow continues. Very hard icy surfaces will remain in immediate proximity to deep drifts, making travel and avalanche hazard assessment challenging in poor visibility.
Cornices will present the ongoing threat of collapse, and have the potential to trigger slopes below. It will be another tricky day of poor visibility, and therefore challenging to identify the runout zones below these slopes and any cornices lurking above…
In summary not a good day for photography. This is ‘Aladdin’s Buttress’ in Coire an t-Sneachda bounded on the left by ‘Aladdin’s Couloir’ and (centre) by the start to ‘Aladdin’s Mirror’/’Mirror Direct’. Although the coire floor is very firm and icy where exposed to the wind, the steep slopes have been subjected to active drift, with associated windslab deposits for most of the week. Antecedent conditions for cornice development and ongoing avalanche hazard.
The challenges of winter navigation and route finding. Many prominent features have been obliterated by the snow. Some readers will recognise landmarks in Coire an t-Sneachda. All of which were barely visible in the gloom.
A party making their way upwards in Coire an t-Sneachda.
Active drifting pictured here at around 700 metres on the path out of Coire an t-Sneachda.
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