Weak Cornices
23rd February 2024
There has been a fair bit of fresh snow in Lochaber over the last couple of days. Winds have not been particularly strong (by normal Aonach Mor winter standards at least). This has built up some weak cornices at the tops of many of the gullies. I spotted a couple of cornice triggered avalanches in Coire an Lochan today. With temperatures remaining cool, little changes if expected tomorrow. The combination of it being the weekend, the weather forecast being reasonable, and there being winter conditions mean that I suspect there will be lots of people out and about (which is great, we like seeing people out enjoying the winter environment). If you are planning to be out and about, just be a little cautious.
Snow showers over the last 24 hours have put down a fair amount of fresh snow in recent days. A couple of days ago this there would have been no snow in this area.
Cornice above Easy Gully. There was also a crown wall running round the gully, triggered by cornice collapse.
Looking South to Coire an Lochan. The sun catches the snow coming off the plateau quite nicely. On the slope in the distance debris from a recent cornice triggered avalanche can be seen. A possible crown wall can be seen in the slope in the middle distance.
The crags in the North side of Coire an Lochan.
Ben Nevis, looking up into Coire na Ciste
Ben Nevis, Orion face and Tower Ridge.
Ben Nevis, a close up of Observatory Ridge and Orion face.
Fresh snow in Coire na Ciste, Ben Nevis
Snow creeping off the roof of the CIC hut on Ben Nevis. Sometimes snow displays amazing strength !
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