Cornices.
20th February 2018
(Above) The view west from Gaskbeg towards the eastern end of the Carn Liath massif. Great snow cover.
(Above) Collapsing cornices have been a bit of a feature over the past 24hrs, as above on Beinn Sgiath above Glen Markie. These collapsed overnight Monday/Tuesday. Cooler again tonight which should help arrest the melting/collapsing process, but any sustained sunshine on East aspects may help weaken them again on Wednesday afternoon.
(Above) A shot of Coire nan Gall taken on Monday afternoon. Note the glide crack on the steep backwall – arrowed.
(Above) Same place 24hrs later. Note the wider glide crack and the new cornice debris across the floor of the coire – both arrowed. Full depth avalanche activity not anticipated because much cooler temperatures should slow down, or completely arrest, the melt process which encourages the full depth gliding of snow. Warmer in the sun tomorrow afternoon so will be interesting to see if this develops at all.
(Above) The southern shoulder of Beinn a Chaorainn. More recent evidence of cornices shedding chunks. Clear and bright at times today, too.
(Above) The largest steep but shallow coire on the East-facing side of Beinn a Chaorainn. There was a cornice-triggered wet slab avalanche in this coire yesterday – debris just visible low in the photo.
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