A bad month for Scottish mountains

Mag

Mag

Active member
Scotland isn't exactly a very big place, or an exciting one at that, but there's been a lot of bad news in the mountains lately;

Firstly a few weeks ago(20th jan) there was an avalanche at glencoe(a small resort, especially compared to some other resorts around the world) which killed 4, with at least 1 more in critical condition:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/20/glencoe-avalanche-climbers-fell-1000ft

Then a few days ago there was another avalanche, involving 6 hikers at the Cairngorms(my local mountain), unfortunately there was 1 casualty this time:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-21409600

Then yesterday at the lecht(even smaller resort) there was an incident involving a chairlift becoming derailed, which injured at least 6, but AFAIK no casualties:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-21434338

and now today there has been another avalanche at the cairngorms again, this time claiming the lives of 2, while 1 is in critical condition:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2278531/Cairngorms-avalanche-Man-woman-die-person-injured-avalanche-hit-group-climbed-Scottish-mountain.html
 
Sucks that is happening there. It's strange because most of the photos in the articles show slopes with hardly any snow on them. Vibes to the families.

Also, it never ceases to amaze me when journalists make statements like this:

"Two men and two women were killed by the avalanche, which struck without warning on Saturday afternoon on Bidean nam Bian, a 1,115-metre peak south of Glencoe."

How dare those avalanches kill us without warning us first!
 
Yeah a lot more snow than those pictures show, and a LOT of drifting, doesn't that increase the risk of avalanches?

I get what you're saying, but I guess they meant they never really forecasted a high avalanche risk?

Thanks mousecop but I really stick to the pistes, especially as of late, I'm pretty cautious as I don't have avalanche gear.
 
Now that you mention it, I remember a thread from a few years ago where someone was describing a condition in the highlands. I think it had something to do with hoarfrost on the native grass that created avalanche conditions even where there wasn't a lot of snow. High cornices would fracture and go alot farther and faster than could be imagined. Stay safe dude.
 
It only takes a bit of snow on one aspect/slope to slide and if anything avalanches are much easier to trigger in shallow areas.
 
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