The vital service that provides climbers and hill walkers with the avalanche risk on Scotland’s mountains is to end this season’s forecasts this month after a winter of fatalities.
The Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) said the last forecast was scheduled to be issued on April 17.
However, weekend reporting may continue after that date if wintry conditions return.
SAIS assesses avalanche hazard in six areas – Lochaber, Glencoe, Creag Meagaidh, Southern Cairngorms , Northern Cairngorms and Torridon.
So far this season, the organisation’s team of forecasters have recorded fewer avalanches than last winter – 170 compared to 237.
However, an avalanche has been suspected as causing the deaths of five of the six climbers to have died on Scotland’s mountains so far this year.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team believe Rachel Slater, 24, and Tim Newton, 27, from Bradford, were caught by an avalanche before starting a climb on the North Face of Ben Nevis around Valentine’s Day.
The same month, Adrian David Bankart – known as Dave – from Matlock, Derbyshire, died on 3710-feet high Creag Meagaidh – 19 miles north east of Ben Nevis – after being hit by “a large avalanche” while he was on the Sash/Pantomime area of the Inner Corrie.
The other climber with him survived but suffered serious injuries.
In January two climbers – including a rescue team member – died climbing in Glen Coe.
Joe Smith, 23, who lived in Kinlochleven in Lochaber, perished with experienced mountain skills instructor Simon Davidson, 34, who lived in Fort William.
The pair probably plunged “several hundred feet” on January 16.
Mr Smith, who was originally from Lancashire, was a member of the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team that found their bodies.
It is believed the men – who were friends – may have got caught up in an avalanche.