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Rock Fall

Rock Fall


Postby kilima36 » Sun Jan 23, 2022 10:09 pm

I was descending Stucd an Lochain early this afternoon when I heard a loud thundering rumbling noise. Initially I couldn't work out what was causing it until I looked back and saw a number of large boulders falling down from the cliff edge.

Quickly trying to work out if someone I had passed going up might be involved I realised that they wouldn't be anywhere near - thankfully.

A salutary lesson for me that I need to be aware of this potential when walking below cliff faces.
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Re: Rock Fall

Postby Caberfeidh » Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:50 am

In many places, if you stay long enough you will hear the rumble and knock of rocks falling. The Cairngorms seem particularly restless. Vegging outside Corrour Bothy on a sunny day I could hear boulders coming down the Devil's Point, and going through the Lairig Ghru I could not help but notice a lot of rocks lying on top of the snow... Best get a helmet. :shock:
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Re: Rock Fall

Postby al78 » Mon Jan 24, 2022 10:46 am

The Earth is restless and constantly changing over geological timescales. Mountains formed by tectonic activity are eroded down by wind, rain and freeze-thaw. Rockfall is this process in action.
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Re: Rock Fall

Postby kilima36 » Mon Jan 24, 2022 11:26 am

Thanks for your replies. I've been climbing Munros regularly since August and that was my 1st experience of rockfall so has just made me more aware.

I'm really grateful for all the different experiences climbing Munros brings and not least seeing different parts of Scotland that previously I was unaware of.
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