Climbers caught by two avalanches on Aonach Mor, says SAIS report

An avalanche assessment pit being dug in the Southern Cairngorms during SAIS's 2016/17 season

Two climbers were carried down a Scottish mountain twice in consecutive avalanches, it has emerged.

The incident on Aonach Mor in Lochaber is noted in the new Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) 2016/17 annual report.

The pair were among nine people in total who were carried down Scotland's mountains by avalanches last winter and spring.

There were no fatalities during SAIS' 2016/17 season.

The service recorded a total of 90 avalanches, its lowest number of recorded avalanches in almost 10 years.

The avalanches recorded by SAIS occur naturally - often after a cornice, snow overhanging a slope or cliff, collapses - or have been triggered by walkers and climbers accidentally, or deliberately by ski patrols to make an area used for snowsports safe.

'Taste of Scottish winter'

SAIS said that, generally, the snow cover in the Highlands was "poor" during its 2016/17 season, though there were three distinct winter periods providing "a taste of a Scottish winter".

These periods of heavy snow and freezing temperatures came just after Christmas, in early February and again in early March.

While generally snow cover was "poor" in 2016/17, there were three periods of heavy snowfalls

Every winter, the service assesses avalanche hazards in Lochaber, Glen Coe and Creag Meagaidh.

It also covers Southern Cairngorms, Northern Cairngorms and Torridon.

It provides information on the stability of snowpack on the mountains from December until mid-April.

The newest season is set to begin on 15 December.

Previous avalanche numbers

• 2015-16 - 207

• 2014-15 - 305

• 2013-14 - 350

• 2012-13 - 129

• 2011-12 - 154

• 2010-11 - 178

• 2009-10 - 220