This year will see avalanche risk forecasts provided for Torridon. The Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) already gives forecasts for five mountain areas: Creag Meagaidh, Glencoe, Lochaber and the North and South Cairngorms.
The Torridon forecasts will be run as a pilot this year starting with Christmas and New Year, and then some weekends and the mid term break in February. The exact dates for the Torridon forecasts will be 24 Dec – 29 Dec 2013, Jan 1- 5th 2014, and the weekends of 10-12th, 31 Jan – 2 Feb, 14 – 22 Feb 2014.
Daily forecasts for the other five areas will start on 12 December. There is already significant snow on the tops in some Scottish mountain areas and therefore prior to the forecasts starting walkers and climbers should not assume there is a reduced risk but should plan their routes according to the snow conditions and be properly prepared. For further information on winter skills visit the mountain safety pages on Walkhighlands or check out the various Guides offering winter skills courses.