Avalanche warning for Scotland

Experts urge walkers, climbers and skiers to be prepared after eight people were caught in avalanches in the CairngormsAvalanche experts have advised climbers heading for the Scottish hills this weekend to be aware of risks after eight people were caught in avalanches in the Cairngorms.The Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) said walkers, climbers and skiers should equip themselves with as much information as possible about snow, avalanche and weather conditions before setting off.In one incident, on Saturday, a group of six climbers escaped serious injury when an avalanche hit them in the Cairngorms. In a second incident in the same area, two climbers were caught in an avalanche at Coire an t-Sneachda. One man was taken to hospital in Inverness with ankle and back injuries. Staff from the Glenmore Lodge outdoor centre were close to the scene and able to help both groups.Mike Diggard, of the SAIS, said they were not warning people to stay off the hills, rather to be as prepared and informed as possible. Last winter, a record 400,000 people viewed the avalanche forecasts on the SAIS website."The most important thing is to get as much information as possible, looking at weather forecasts, looking at avalanche hazard forecasts," Diggard said."Often people get stuck or caught up in incidents largely because they are not flexible enough to change their plans. Be flexible and be patient. The mountains are not going to go away. You can always go back and do your trip another time."The avalanche service began this winter's reports in November, three weeks earlier than last winter's. Diggard said weather forecasts for the rest of the week showed very strong winds and snow, and the SAIS was about to issue a high avalanche hazard for the northern Cairngorms.David Gibson, of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, said the service was invaluable to everyone who used the Scottish hills."There is a history of avalanche in Scotland," he said. "That's why the Scottish government provides funding for avalanche services. There are people out every day of the year testing the snowpack and avalanche conditions"It is important that climbers are aware of the risks. Anything we can do to raise awareness is important. It is a hazard. The mountains themselves are not dangerous; it is what people choose to do."Around a third of avalanches triggered by people are caused by skiers and snowboaders, and the SAIS, together with Snowsport Scotland, has recently launched a series of awareness days for anyone wanting to venture off-piste in Scotland's ski resorts.Scotland's worst avalanche tragedy occurred in 1998, when four Scout leaders were killed on Aonach Mor, near Fort William. Three others had to be dug out from the snow, but survived.In an avalanche in 2009 on Beinn Eighe, in the Torridon area of the Highlands, a climber's fall was broken by the propeller of a plane that had crashed on the mountain 50 years earlier. The climber was badly injured but survived.ScotlandWeatherWalking holidaysSkiingClimbing holidaysKirsty Scottguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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