May Bank Holiday is approaching fast, but the high mountains of Scotland are still hanging onto winter after an unseasonably cold spring. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) and British Mountaineering Council (BMC) are joining forces to recommend hill walkers north and south of the Border be prepared to deal with late-lying snow conditions when they head for the Scottish hills this weekend.
This spring has been unseasonably cold, with a northerly airstream and accompanying cold conditions affecting the whole of Scotland. This has resulted in some of the best skiing and winter climbing for several years. It looks like that these conditions will also result in many Scottish mountains holding their snow long into the summer. While Scottish mountains look stunning at this time of year in their winter garb, late winter conditions can pose a significant challenge to hill walkers and mountaineers, particularly underfoot.
Usually located high up on the shady, northern sides of mountains, late-lying snow patches will often be hard and compacted after frequent melting and refreezing, offering little traction for boots to grip into and a high chance of slipping. Crossing them, especially if the terrain below is steep, requires caution. Route choice is important and hill walkers are advised to consider a ‘snow-free’ alternative or simply turn around.
Heather Morning, MCofS Mountain Safety Advisor and late-lying snow on
Beinn Eighe in Torridon this month.
Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Advisor with The Mountaineering Council of Scotland says, “Every spring thousands of hill walkers enjoy getting back into the hills again. The vast majority have a fantastic experience. But for those who do get into difficulties when encountering old snow patches; sadly a slip and subsequent slide in the wrong place does result in fatalities.”
The MCofS urge walkers planning to head up onto the higher mountains in Scotland to take a good look at the mountain weather forecasts in advance of heading out. If temperatures at 900 metres are forecast to be below freezing they would advise hill goers to be prepared with winter equipment – including a rigid pair of boots, crampons and an ice axe – plus the skills to use them effectively. Mountain specific weather conditions can be found at www.mwis.org.uk
Heather continues “My advice, if you don’t have the kit or knowledge to deal with hard snow is to adjust your plan, or enjoy a day out on one of our fabulous lower hills or glens, where there is no chance of encountering old snow patches”.
The MCofS and BMC are keen to get the message out to the many hill walkers planning to visit Scotland’s mountains from south of the Border this May Bank Holiday weekend.
Carey Davies, the British Mountaineering Council’s hill walking officer, said: “It’s important to remember there can be a big difference in climatic conditions across different parts of Britain, especially in spring. The south of England can have sunny t-shirt weather while the Cairngorms are still in sub-Arctic snow conditions. Even lowland Scotland can be a completely different world to the upper reaches of the Highlands”.
Carey continues, “When spring arrives a lot of people feel the pull of the mountains and want to get up high again. But don’t forget to check the weather forecast carefully and be prepared for things like snow fields and cornices.”