WATCH: See the aftermath of one of the biggest avalanches in recent years in Cairngorms
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The Scottish Avalanche Information Service has just released stunning drone footage of one of the biggest avalanches to hit the Cairngorms in recent years.
The snowslide occurred last weekend in one of the range's most popular climbing areas but fortunately happened overnight.
The avalanche in Coire an Lochain in the northern Cairngorms was released naturally on either February 19 or 20. No-one was caught-up in it.
It was caused by a hard windslab overlying a weak layer in the snow buried on January 28, and then triggered by rain on the high tops when the big thaw set in.
The Glenmore-based SAIS said it was one of a number of large avalanches to have taken place in quick succession in the range.
The danger level in the Cairngorms has now subsidised following the release of vast accumulations of snow.
SAIS co-ordinator Mark Diggins captured the fall-out from the avalanche yesterday once the weather broke in the peaks.
He told the Strathy: "It was a massive avalanche and quite impressive. A weak layer developed in the snow pack on January 27 and 28 and was then buried in very deep snow – it was something that we were aware of.
"It was underlying the whole of the snow pack. So when it got slightly warmer last weekend the whole lot released and there were a number of big avalanches in the Northern Corries.
"The avalanche in Coire an Lochain is huge and easily big enough to cover a truck. It is probably a size three to four on a scale to five."
Mr Diggins said: "I think it is one of the biggest avalanches we have seen in the range in recent years."
He said that Storm Darcy had delivered a huge amount of snow in the Cairngorms at the start of the month and along with the weather pattern had created perfect conditions for avalanches.
Mr Diggins and fellow SAIS observer Kathy Grindrod had trekked into the Northern Corries yesterday to record the fall-out from the avalanche activity.
"It was the clearest day we have had in a while so it was a good opportunity to gauge the extent of the debris," he said.
Mr Diggins said: "The avalanche probably occurred in the night and because of the Covid restrictions and the recent conditions being windy and cold there have not been that many people in the location.
"It is usually a popular area for climbing but obviously there was an avalanche warning in place.
"We thought that there would be considerably avalanche activity and we were proved right.
"This avalanche activity has in effect purged all the slopes and the thawing and the freezing cycling has led to a firm snow pack at the moment with a minimal hazard.
"But as ever we have been here before. Conditions might be beign at the moment but as we know living in the Highlands, there could still be harsh conditions to come in March as has happened in the past."
More information on the SAIS and latest forecasts are available here
