Third avalanche rescue in days in Cairngorms

Volunteer mountain rescuers have gone to the aid of climbers caught by three avalanches in as many days in the Northern Cairngorms.

Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team (CMRT) said on Tuesday three climbers had to be rescued before two more in a later incident in Coire an t-Sneachda – Coire of the Snow.

RAF teams in the area at the time assisted in treating and evacuating the area after the avalanches, which were triggered by human activity.

Two mountaineers were injured on Sunday in the same area after an overhanging ledge of snow – called a cornice – collapsed, resulting in an avalanche.

Cairngorm ski centre staff also assisted in the rescue efforts.

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) said earlier this month that Scotland’s latest avalanche season was one of its most unusual in its almost 40-year history.

It said there had been periods of no snow, and others when conditions had changed rapidly.

SAIS urged outdoor enthusiasts to check avalanche and weather forecasts and to be adequately skilled and equipped for winter conditions.