2 die in Scottish avalanches
Wednesday December 30, 2009 - Email this article to a friend

The 2 climbers were found in a gully on Britain's highest mountain after a large avalanche that followed high levels of snow in the area in recent days.

In the other incidents a man was swept away in Torridon and 2 climbers were swept away near Bridge of Orchy in Argyll.

All three were rescued and flown by helicopter to hospital and their lives are not in danger.

The conditions for the rescue services in all three operations were treacherous and their bravery has been praised.

In the Ben Nevis incident a member of the public raised the alarm after seeing the climbers caught in the avalanche.

Lochaber mountain rescue team and six rescuers from RAF Leuchars reached the scene to try to rescue the men, but all they found were the bodies.

They were found in an area known as No 3 Gulley on the north face of the mountain.

Their names have not been released as next of kin are being informed.

SAIS at workJust a few hours earlier the Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service, SAIS, had issued warnings after abnormal and rare levels of surface hoar. 

This is formed when unsually cold and calm weather allows crystals to grow on the surface of the snowpack.

However it is only dangerous when a further layer of snow falls as the new layer then has an unstable base.

It is not yet clear if surface hoar played a role in the avalanches.

SAIS teams have been checking for surface hoar in the Northern Cairngorms, Southern Cairngorms, Lochaber, Creag Meagaidh and Glencoe.

SAIS provides avalanche forecasts for the five areas that are popular with skiers and snowboarders, as well as climbers.

Meanwhile, in Wales a walker on Snowdonia was injured after he decided to slide down an ice sheet rather than walking.

He suffered head and leg injuries and had to be rescued by helicopter and taken to hospital.

"They couldn't climb down because the weather was awful and they didn't have the right equipment," said a spokesman for the emergency services.

"They are very, very lucky indeed."

In Europe several people have died in avalaches in the Alps in recent days and conditions are very dangerous at the moment, see this related PlanetSKI story.

Bookmark this page

Related Articles