The leaflet is aimed at all those heading for the mountains in winter
An avalanche guide for walkers and mountaineers heading for Britain’s mountains has been launched.
The leaflet, Be Avalanche Aware!, has tips for selecting safer routes on the UK’s hills in winter.
The sportscotland-funded guide can be downloaded as a PDF and printed versions will also be available at specialist outdoor shops, national outdoor training centres, and ski resorts in Scotland.
Advice includes practical tips and helps with decision-making, covering pre-trip planning, the day of the trip itself, and decisions to be taken at specific points during the day. For each section, the guide considers avalanche hazard and weather, the abilities of the party, and the nature of the terrain.
It stresses the importance of forward planning, flexibility, and constant attention to changing circumstances through the day, as well as an honest awareness of the party’s own skill level and abilities.
Ross Purves, chair of the Snow and Avalanche Foundation for Scotland, said: “Understanding avalanches, and how to avoid being in one, is a key skill in having a safe winter day in the mountains.
“The Be Avalanche Aware! guide is an excellent resource, which will help mountain-goers set off better informed, and emphasises the importance of making, and re-evaluating, decisions before and during the whole of a day out in the hills.
“I’m delighted that such a large range of organisations have worked together to produce this guide.”
Bob Kinnaird, principal of the sportscotland National Training Outdoor Centre at Glenmore Lodge, said: “Identifying and avoiding avalanche hazards is an essential skill for all those who venture into the Scottish mountains in winter.
“This new guide provides an excellent tool that will add to the already comprehensive avalanche education and information available through training courses and online avalanche forecasts.”
Mark Diggins, co-ordinator of the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service, said: “The ‘Be Avalanche Aware!’ guide provides the decision-making process and fundamental considerations for assessing avalanche hazards in the winter mountains.
“It will provide a good template for all enthusiasts going into the winter mountains and those involved in avalanche education.”
Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison added: “The vast majority of trips to Scotland’s mountains are without incident. Scotland is blessed with stunning scenery but this should not lead any of us to underestimate its dangers.
“By following and sharing the advice in this leaflet it can save lives and I urge all outdoor enthusiasts planning a trip to a potential avalanche area to keep safe, read the leaflet and follow its guidance.”
The leaflet can be downloaded from the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service website.
There is a high avalanche risk for certain aspect in three areas, Lochaber, southern Cairngorms and Creag Meagaidh tomorrow, with considerable risk in other Highland areas.
