Scotland’s Avalanche Information Service (SAIS), operating out of Glenmore Lodge near Aviemore in the Cairngorms, opened today for the 209-2010 winter season.
Providing situation reports and probability assessments, it covers:
- Glencoe, in the county of Argyll
- Lochaber (Nevis range)
- Creag Meagaidh
- South Cairngorms
- North Cairngorms
Last winter SAIS recorded 112 avalanches, the worst of which claimed three lives – two Northern Irishmen and one Scot from Angus, all members of the An Teallach Mountaineering Club.
It happened back in January this year, on one of Scotland’s best known mountains, the guardian to Glencoe, Buachaille Etive Mhor. Nine people were caught in a very serious avalanche. Six survived the experience but three died.
The two Irishmen were brothers – 63 year-old John Murphy from Portrush on the north coast; and 61 year-old Eamonn from the east coast town Carrickfergus on Bekfast Lough.
The third man to die in the incident was 46 year-old Brian Murray from Monifieth in Angus.
Anyone planning to take to any of these five mountain areas this winter – to walk, climb or ski – is advised to keep a regular eye on the SAIS onlne service.
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