A 60-YEAR-OLD walker has survived a 400ft fall from a Highland peak.
The incident in Wester Ross sparked a major rescue operation as warnings were issued to Easter holiday mountaineers yesterday that snow remained a danger in the hills.
The man who fell was out with a companion on the Forcan Ridge – a difficult and exposed approach to The Saddle in Glen Shiel.
The accident was reported by his friend at around 3.20pm, with a Coastguard helicopter from Stornoway and the Kintail and Skye mountain rescue teams scrambled to the scene.
The injured man – who is believed to have sustained facial injuries – was later flown to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
Police said last night that his condition was “currently unknown”.
The accident came as warnings were issued to mountaineers planning a trip to the Highlands this Easter that wintry conditions still threaten safety on the high ground.
While the sun has been shining on lower areas, the weather remains changeable at higher altitude, with fresh snowfall in several areas making conditions more like the depths of winter than mid-spring.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue team leader John Stevenson said: “It really still is winter up there and people need to be aware of that.
“The snow is disappearing now, but it’s still quite bad in places and there are cornices dropping off still, so that’s something to look out for. Really, I would say that the biggest thing is to remember how fast the weather changes and not to take risks. It’s certainly not T-shirt and shorts weather up there.”
Mountaineering Council of Scotland safety expert Heather Morning warned walkers – many of whom will be taking to the hills for the first time this year – to be prepared for challenging conditions.
She said: “At this time of year it is really difficult to know what to expect. One day on the hill could be warm, dry and calm with good visibility, the next you could be in a blizzard.”
Popular routes such as Coire na Tulaich on Buachaille Etive Mor, near Glen Coe, have remained buried under snow longer than usual this year.
In summer, Coire na Tulaich provides the trade route up the iconic Munro, but the north-facing corrie holds snow well after it has disappeared elsewhere and can be very dangerous.
Walkers are advised to be wary of snow patches on the north face of mountain routes. Ms Morning added: “Route choice at this time of year is really important and hill walkers should consider a ‘snow free’ alternative, or simply turn around.”
Carey Davies, the British Mountaineering Council’s hill walking officer, said: “When spring arrives a lot of people feel the pull of the mountains and want to get outdoors again. But sometimes people get caught out at this time of year.
“While it may feel like spring has sprung at low levels, up on the mountaintops it can be a very different story.
“If you’re going into the hills, remember you may encounter the white stuff.”
Earlier this week, SportScotland Avalanche Information Service reported that some north ski resorts had seen more than double their average winter snowfall this season.
Glen Nevis, Glencoe and Cairngorm Mountain are all expected to remain open throughout the Easter holiday. The Met Office is forecasting clear spells in the morning before gale force winds and heavy rain spreads into mountains in Lochaber and the north-west Highlands later today .
Lighter rain is forecast for the eastern Highland mountains, though the wind is forecast to strengthen throughout the day.
The mountain outlook for the weekend is cloudy in the west with outbreaks of rain but cloud breaking up the further east you go with a few bright intervals developing.