THREE climbers had lucky escapes in two mountain incidents in the Highlands at the weekend.
One climber emerged unscathed from a massive avalanche in the Cairngorms, while a major search was launched for a man and a woman who got lost on Ben Wyvis.
The couple had a compass but no map, making navigation almost impossible in what rescuers described as “appalling conditions”.
A 47-year-old climber from Edinburgh walked away uninjured from the huge Cairngorm avalanche, which swept him 300ft down the slope close to the ski area. The man, who did not wish to be named, fell through a cornice while walking with two friends into Coire Cas in whiteout conditions on Saturday afternoon.
His fall brought the cornice down, triggering the avalanche. The climber managed to stop his fall with an ice axe.
He said he did not realise he had been in an avalanche until he came to halt farther down the slope.
However, the climber was able to walk off the hill and reached the base station of the mountain railway soon after and alerted his friends and rescuers from there.
The man, who was shaken by the incident, said: “I wasn’t aware of what was going on. It was only when I looked back and saw the debris that brought it home.”
According to rescuers, the snowslide measured more than 1,600ft across and more than 650ft high.
The man and two friends, Chris Ludlan and Steve Shaw, both from Bristol, had completed a scramble on Fiacaill Ridge earlier.
The man was in front of his two friends when he disappeared. Mr Ludlan and Mr Shaw shouted to him but, getting no answer and realising the fragility of the slopes, retreated back up the hill and headed for the Ptarmigan restaurant to raise the alarm.
Members of CairnGorm Mountain ski patrol were first on the scene and Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team was also called out. The search-and-rescue helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth was tasked to assist.
Mountain rescue team leader Willie Anderson said: “It seems he stepped on the cornice and it collapsed. The weight of him and the cornice triggered the avalanche.
“He is lucky. Anyone who rides an avalanche and walks away is very lucky.”
Meanwhile, the couple lost on Ben Wyvis were found after a five-hour search – sheltering from winds and snow more than 600 yards south of the summit.
Rescuers from Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team said yesterday that the pair, who have not been named, were “lucky” to be found as they were ill-equipped to spend the night on the mountain on Saturday.
Dundonnell rescue team Mick Holmes said: “The problem was that we did not know where they were and the mobile signal was patchy.
“They did have a compass but no map so they could not use it. They did not have GPS or ice axes. They did not have enough clothing and they did not have enough food. They were not equipped to stay out all night.
“They were very lucky to be found because we did not know where they were at all.
“They had managed to find shelter from the weather in a hollow.
“That could have saved them. If we had not come across them, they might have been out all night.”
A total of 16 members of the team were called out.
Stornoway Coastguard helicopter was able to airlift members to the scene but the low cloud base meant rescuers had to walk much of the way.
Mr Holmes said he had called for reinforcements from Torridon and Lossiemouth about 6pm but they were turned back when the couple were discovered at 7pm.
The pair were able to walk down the hill, led by rescuers. A police spokesman confirmed yesterday afternoon that the two walkers had been found safe and well He added: “Police would remind anybody who ventures into the hills to be appropriately clothed, carry sufficient supplies and check weather conditions as they differ significantly during the ascent.”