Lochaber Blog & Mountain Info » Cornice Collapse and Avalanches.

Cornice Collapse and Avalanches.

23rd February 2026

There was a fair bit of fresh snow above about 950 metres overnight. Although generally sticky and damp, this snow was not well bonded to the underlying firmer snowpack. Visibility was poor at higher levels, but from what I could see some substantial cornices had formed in the previous 24 hours. At the top of Coire Dubh on Aonach Mor I came across one section, maybe 10 metres in length, that looked to have recently collapsed. There were also various reports of avalanches, some of which were cornice triggered, on Ben Nevis.

After a clearer spell this afternoon and evening, further rain is expected at all levels overnight and during the day tomorrow. I suspect there will be plenty of cornices remaining at higher levels, some of which are bound to fall down in the mild wet conditions. Rock and ice fall from the crags will also be a hazard. Perhaps not the finest day to be in the hills.

The view up the Goose taken at a height of about 800 metres. Compare the view on the blog from the 20th here. Although snow cover is reasonable at this level, there is now a lot more grass visible than there was a few days ago. Higher up the hill visibility was poor, so no comparative photos. However, there there has been a fair bit of snow at higher levels in the last day or two. I would say that above about 950 metres there has been a net gain of snow while below 950 metres a net less. Looks like there will be a loss of snow cover at all levels over the next day or two.

The hut at the base of the summit tow which is at an altitude of about 1100 metres. Lots of fresh snow, although starting to tur a bit soggy.

Icy rime on a pole near the top of the summit run (altitude about 1190m). At this level is felt pretty wintry with lots of snow blowing around and, where scoured, the snowpack surface was hard and icy.

A recent looking cornice collapse at the top of Coire Dubh. One block of snow can be seen that cracked, but did not fall off. From the limited amount I could see there were some pretty substantial new cornices, and these were prone to collapse in the warming temperatures.