Rescuers search avalanche debris on the mountain. Image: Lochaber MRT
Rescuers have released more details of a major search for a climber who has been missing for three days since an avalanche on a Lochaber mountain.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team said the risk of further avalanches is high in the area on Aonach Mòr.
Volunteers from the Lochaber team have been joined by colleagues from the Glencoe and Cairngorm teams. Coastguard helicopters from Inverness and Stornoway have also been helping in the operation on the western flanks of the mountain.
A Lochaber MRT spokesperson said: “There were two people in the party and one was able to make their way out to the ski area of Aonach Mòr, despite suffering injuries in the avalanche.
“Extensive searches have failed to locate the second person The ongoing high avalanche risk across the search area has not helped the operation and rescuers have been operating in very high-risk locations.”
Andrew Vine was last seen on Friday afternoon on Aonach Mòr
Police Scotland had earlier appealed for any sightings of the missing man, Andrew Vine, who was last seen on the west face of Aonach Mòr about 1pm on Friday.
Rescuers said, so far, volunteers had spent 120 man-days in the search for Mr Vine.
The Lochaber team posted video on Facebook showing rescuers using probes in the search at the avalanche area.
“We are presently assessing as to how we proceed with this search as the weather conditions and the high avalanche risk could put rescuers at risk,” a team spokesperson said.
“We would like to thank the Glencoe and Cairngorm teams for their support together with the SAR-H helicopter crews.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Fort William immediately on 101 quoting incident number 1915 of 28 February.
Mr Vine is described as white, 5ft 11ins (1.8m) tall, medium build with ginger-brown hair and beard. When last seen he was wearing a red jacket, yellow La Sportiva boots, black trousers and carrying a yellow rucksack.
Footage posted by the Lochaber team on Facebook
