Mountains in the spring

The Scottish mountains hold snow long into the spring and early summer, which creates particular challenges in the underfoot conditions. Remaining snow patches will often be hard and located high up on the shady, north side of the mountain, and can sometimes be covered by fresh snow. Many traditional mountain routes cross through such terrain and are the usual choice for Munro baggers. Hill walkers are advised to treat these old snow patches with caution, particularly if the ‘run out’ below is over steep ground. 

Route choice at this time of year is particularly important and hill walkers without ice axe and crampons should consider a ‘snow free’ alternative or simply turn around.

A classic example of a popular route often affected by snow long-lying snow is Coire na Tulaich on Buachaille Etive Mor, near Glen Coe. In summer Coire na Tulaich provides the trade route up this iconic Munro but the north-facing corrie holds snow well after it has disappeared elsewhere and can be extremely dangerous.

This late snow, referred to as spring snow, can vary from being quite sugary and easy to kick steps in, to being hard and icy, with high risk of a slip or fall if you don’t have crampons and an ice axe. And the same patch of snow can change in consistency as conditions change through the day; a patch can be hard and icy in the morning but softer in the afternoon.