Searching for windslab
5th February 2026
Most of the snowpack is currently icy and stable with a bit of slow thawing at lower elevations. There are some pockets of unstable windslab but they’re quite hard to find. On many leeward aspects the wind is just blowing down the hillside and fresh accumulations are minimal. I did find some windslab below Point Five Gully along with some debris from a small slab avalanche that probably occurred last night.
Strong, gusty winds again and summits in the cloud made photography difficult but a few pictures below.
Looking up Observatory Gully.
Recent avalanche debris below Point Five Gully.
The Douglas Boulder. It’s been a popular climbing venue recently.
The top of Coire na Ciste just visible through the cloud.
Carn Dearg Buttress to Castle Ridge.
Looking back to Ben Nevis as I was heading down, the cloud lifted slightly.
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