Aspiring mountaineers are being urged to make sure they have their “winter heads” in place when tackling the slopes in the next few days.
Despite the surprisingly warm temperatures of late, Mountaineering Scotland is warning that snow is expected to return to the region in the coming days.
While a tropical mass of warm air will rise from the south to continue the spring feeling for some, a jet stream of freezing Arctic air is expected to reach the Highlands first – bringing with it sub-zero temperatures and flurries of snow.
Mountaineering Scotland is warning people preparing to head to the hills to dig out their crampons, ice-axes and skis – rather than relying on their summery mountain bikes and t-shirts.
Heather Morning, the organisation’s mountain safety adviser, said: “Combine fresh snow cover with high winds and poor visibility and it’s time to switch on that ‘Think Winter’ awareness again and reinstate those crampons and ice axes essential for safe travel in the winter mountains.
“It’s important to consider our mindset. Over the past two weeks it very much felt like winter was behind us, so it would be all too easy to get caught out in the wrong place with the wrong kit.
“Planning is key this weekend to make the most of our return to winter.”
