dont give them ideas

I don't have too much to add to this thread, but will throw in a few more observations/thoughts as thats what interweb forums are for!

I was on the first train up and can confirm the rather ambiguous nature of the announcement concerning the coronation wall/cas head wall. He was clear that checks were being done by ski patrol and that it was closed at present, yet if you chose to go there it was at your own risk. He summed up the situation correctly but in terms of clear communication it would have been better if he just said there was a high avalanche danger and the area was closed.

Those with the skills/equipment to tour were always going to go outside the patrol area anywhere but at least this would have stopped the majority of customers heading up the summit path.

One aspect that hasn't been mentioned is that the coronation wall was pisted last week for what I believe was the first time. This was also widely publicised. I wonder if the fact that grooming a run there encouraged people onto that area on saturday when the conditions were obviously quite different?

The point regarding the tea and cake brigade was also well made earlier. I do believe I passed a group just starting to hike the summit path that included a heavily pregnant woman!!! Not only that they were dressed for a spot of high street shopping not a steepish snow climb in an arctic environment. Ok the sun was shining, but we all know how quickly conditions can change. Thankfully it looked like ski patrol got there and persuaded them this was not a good idea before they got too far.

Like many that have posted an opinion on here I also took a line down the coronation wall (this was later in the morning after the head wall avalanche). Given the conditions and all available information I decided to enter lower down rather than direct from the summit, both for my own safety and considering others below. There were still great lines to be had, but like it or not there will always be others than take a more selfish gung-ho approach especially on powder days like saturday.

It's all very well complaining that people were taking lines in this area but if the avalanche danger was such why was the traverse open? What are CML doing to ensure safety on this run from natural avalanches?

It feels a bit lame removing tickets after the damage is done. There have to be preventative methods to either make the area safe(r) or prevent people accessing danger areas that can affect the safety of those in the patrolled ski area.

Sticking a few flags and signs up is not enough.

Anyway it's great to have so much snow we're discussing avalanche dangers in mid-May!!

M




Edited 1 times. Last edit at 16.19hrs Mon 14 May 12 by munter.

Re. developments in the Ciste, CML revealed the following in a reply on Facebook today:

"... we are just finalising documents with a view to submit a planning application in the near future, then we will see where we are."

Anyone know the details of these plans?

Its a gondola from Glenmore with stop at Ciste Carpark and summit - summer use only if accompanied with a bike.

Sorry about flippnat reponse but I can jut imagine how this thread develops



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 08.01hrs Tue 15 May 12 by daveski.

It looks like they have at least started preliminary work on the Ciste chair as the sheaves on the first couple of towers have been removed and are currently sitting at the tower bases. Presumably, this is for inspection/repair. They don't actually look in that bad of a condition considering the time they have been left unloved.

You've got the wrong end of the stick Dave, I am saying that the individual is fully responsible for their actions, not the ski area. I refer to areas outhwith the ski area.

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For campervan hire in Scotland visit [www.albacampervans.com] - Bhanaichean Campachaidh ann an Alba

Donald - I think we have basically agreed from the start - I was just crap at getting my point across.

Re: Avalanches

IMO part of what you pay for (ie the lift ticket) is the assurance in that the Ski Patrol has gone and done their job and made sure its safe for people to go out on the mountain who dont have a scooby about the dangers.
I would say that the ski patrol has every right to close off parts of the mountain to its punters if it is compromises the safety of the indiviudal or more importantly others. And I think its fair enough that (if well advertised) that should rules be broken (such is dis-obeying ski patrol) then Lift passes can be conviscated.

Of course snowsports are very dangerous, but when there are serious threats to safety from Avalanche risk it is totally up to CML to make punters aware and safe from it. You need to remember that ski areas make the mountains incredibly accessible in winter and you will find that only a fraction of those using the ski area facilities will know about the dangers of an avalanche should they occur.

I'm not complaining as such, in fact I am in support of CML removing tickets from rule breakers. Perhaps they could put more effort in to making people know before they go but they cant get everything right, especially when resources are stretched. They have worked a miracle getting open what they have done following sending all their seasonal staff home.

Appologies for the rant & a half, missed a days skiing today due to man flu

Cairngorm using explosives, 2010: [news.bbc.co.uk]

Only if you inhale

So can Alan or any of the armchair experts explain why
the sheaves/batteries are been taken of the Ciste Chair.
I do not think they are interchangeable with other service-
able mountain uplift.
If skull-duggery is afoot, at least the "dismantlers"did
not use a gas axe this time-as is a speciality in Coire
na Ciste. Iwould have thought it would have been prudent to
spool/drum the haul cable before stripping moving parts.

George

The haul rope is lashed to the pylons, which supports that the sheave assemblies are going back where they come from and that they have been taken down for servicing! *shock*

does anybody know of any recorded injuries due to avalanche in the ski area? Please don't go nuts, I'm not implying anything, just interested in establishing the facts

Thought there was no power supply to the Ciste Chair ????

If it's maintenance for the sake of future running, I therefore wonder
what inspection/ testing has been done on the lifting davits
and the pulling down anchors for the tensioning towers ?

Do nt think I am trying to decry their- hopefully- possitive
efforts.

George

Certainly been a few close calls at least as have appeared on here recently. I know of 1 person who has been caught in an Avalanche in Scotland, which was on the Cairnwell about 20 years ago. I'm sure there have been many others.

Definitely been big avalanches within the ski areas, certainly within the last 3 years, but fortuneatly no recorded deaths or injuries (that I have come across).