Spin drift & Snow Devils

13th March 2021

Covid -19
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service issues information to support permitted activity under current Scottish Government guidance.
Please be aware of current mandatory travel restrictions in Local Authority areas within Scotland and respect local communities by referring to Scottish Government guidance and safe route choices for exercise. For further guidance please refer to the following information for hillwalkers and climbers and snowsports on ski and board.
This blog is intended to provide hazard and mountain condition information to help plan safer mountain trips.
Sunshine and showers in Glencoe today as we headed up Buachaille Etive Beag, also known locally as ‘The People’s Mountain’.  We weren’t disappointed, there were a few folk out today enjoying the hill, including a retired SAIS avalanche forecaster.
Above 800m on wind sheltered aspects there was a significant amount of windslab which continued to build throughout the day.  For more info see our detailed avalanche forecast.

Looking across to the East face of Beinn Fhada with Stob Coire Sgreamhach centre left of the photo.  Plenty of fresh windslab on these aspects!

Spindrift ripping off the ridge leading up to the Munro summit of Stob Dubh on Buachaille Etive Beag.  Frequent ‘snow devils’ were also spotted heading down the ridge towards us.

The South-East aspect of Buachaille Etive Beag with mini avalanche debris caused by ‘sun balls’ or ‘roller balls’ triggered by the sun heating up the snow on the rocky areas above and lumps of snow rolling off the rocks onto the slopes below.  

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