Two Dead In Scottish Avalanche

Sad news from Scotland yesterday where two climbers have died after being caught up in an avalanche near Curved Ridge on Buchaille Etive Mor in Glencoe. A third man who was with the two escaped the avalanche.


According to the BBC the avalanche happened at around 5pm yesterday. The article quotes Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team leader,  John Grieve, John Grieve as saying:

"Two of the party set off a very small, slab avalanche that just took them off their feet, they fell a long way. It was very steep ground and they fell about 1,500ft, right down almost to the bottom of the mountain."

The men's bodies were found by another party on the mountain, who then made their way to the road and called for Mountain Rescue according to reports.

In another incident, a climber was badly injured after falling into Coire Na Ciste below the North Face of Ben Nevis. The BBC quotes a Lochaber MRT spokesman as saying that despite early reports of an avalanchem there was actually 'no evidence of a slide'.

The injured man was air-lifted off the mountain and taken to hospital in Fort William with head, leg and arm injuries.

Scottish police have warned walkers and climbers to take care in the current wintry conditions with more snow expected over the next few days. Six people have now died this winter  as a result of avalanches in the Scottish hills will large amounts of snow meaning conditions can change quickly.

There are several excellent mountain weather sites out there with detailed information on likely hill conditions in the main UK mountain areas. Additionally, the excellent Scottish Avalanche Information service at www.sais.go.uk carries daily updated forecasts for five major Scottish mountain areas.

Forecasts can also be sent direct to your mobile. Check the latest forecast before heading out and adjust your route accordingly. Right now, all five areas are predicting an avalanche hazard of 'high' with large quantities of new snow and rapid accumulations of windslab.

Be careful out there.