Wintry on Beinn a Chaorainn
15th March 2026
Deployed the snow shoes above 600m for the foray into Beinn a Chaorainn today, and very useful they were too. Some cornice triggered avalanche activity during the morning after a temperature rise accompanied by a transition to rainfall after snowfall and drifting. Stability yo-yo’d noticeably: was briefly better after the sudden wet/warming and the freezing level fell, but persistent snow showers kicked in shortly thereafter leading to new dry weak windslab on N to SE aspects above 950m.
Drifting is expected to continue right through the forecast period until another temperature spike and rainfall at around 5pm on Monday. Little overall improvement anticipated stability-wise, with the Considerable category extending throughout the day above 950m on steep N to SE aspects. As ever, there’s better stability to be had at lower altitudes in those lee areas, and of course on all windward aspects and ridges. Stability of all cornices will be poor throughout but especially towards the end of the day.
(Above) A group of 4 gearing up for an ascent of the East Ridge of Beinn a Chaorainn. Was a bit of a slog through quite deep moist snow in very gusty winds. Conditions on the ridge would have been quite bracing with strong winds and punchy snow showers, however these did ease a bit later and the skies brightened briefly.
(Above) A lobe of cornice and avalanche debris on the ESE slopes hard up against the East Ridge, in the misty distance. Really quite fresh debris – estimated time of release circa 0900 today.
(Above) The cornice triggered avalanche ran out approx 200m, was channelled for a time and 30m wide at the end of the debris tip. Size 1.5 avalanche?
(Above) Heavily edited shot of the S-facing aspect of the East Ridge. Very little contrast – and limited visibility – this morning.
(Above) Early afternoon shot of Beinn a Chaorainn, partly obscured, with a fair amount of airborne snow coming off the edge of the mountain and which will have accumulated on its E aspects.
(Above) Further east. The terrible visibility relented somewhat a little later allowing for this partially sunlit shot of Coire Nan Gall taken from the A86.
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