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UK's longest-lasting patch of snow melts away | UK's longest-lasting patch of snow melts away |
(about 20 hours later) | |
An 11-year-old patch of snow has melted away on Britain's third highest mountain. | An 11-year-old patch of snow has melted away on Britain's third highest mountain. |
Known as the Sphinx, the snow at Garbh Choire Mor on Braeriach is historically the longest-lasting in Scotland's mountains. | Known as the Sphinx, the snow at Garbh Choire Mor on Braeriach is historically the longest-lasting in Scotland's mountains. |
Experts believe snow at that spot has now only disappeared completely seven times in the last 300 years. | Experts believe snow at that spot has now only disappeared completely seven times in the last 300 years. |
Affectionately know by climbers and walkers as "Scotland's glacier", it last melted in 2006. | Affectionately know by climbers and walkers as "Scotland's glacier", it last melted in 2006. |
The last layers of snow that melted away over the weekend fell late in 2006. | The last layers of snow that melted away over the weekend fell late in 2006. |
Another patch of snow on Aonach Beag melted last week. This is the first time in 11 years that no patches of snow have survived on Scotland's hills. | Another patch of snow on Aonach Beag melted last week. This is the first time in 11 years that no patches of snow have survived on Scotland's hills. |
Stirling-based Iain Cameron, who seeks out and records snow that survives on Scotland's highest mountains, had earlier forecast that the Sphinx was at risk of melting away. | Stirling-based Iain Cameron, who seeks out and records snow that survives on Scotland's highest mountains, had earlier forecast that the Sphinx was at risk of melting away. |
Mild and wet conditions during the most recent winter were a major factor in reducing the snow patch's chances of survival. | |
In August, for the first time in 11 years, there was no snow on Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. | In August, for the first time in 11 years, there was no snow on Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. |
Fickle flakes: Snow in Scotland | Fickle flakes: Snow in Scotland |
Snow was a rare feature of the Scottish winter of 2016/17. | Snow was a rare feature of the Scottish winter of 2016/17. |
National snowsports body Ski-Scotland described it as a "challenging" season for Scotland's outdoor ski centres because of the lack of snow and mild conditions. | |
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service also reported its lowest number of recorded avalanches in almost 10 years. | The Scottish Avalanche Information Service also reported its lowest number of recorded avalanches in almost 10 years. |
But just three years previously, there was tonnes of the white stuff. | But just three years previously, there was tonnes of the white stuff. |
World-renowned climber Hamish MacInnes believed the 2013/14 winter in Scotland's mountains was the snowiest since 1945. | World-renowned climber Hamish MacInnes believed the 2013/14 winter in Scotland's mountains was the snowiest since 1945. |
He told BBC Scotland News in February 2014: "The first time I went climbing was in 1945 and I remember cutting our way through snow in Glencoe. | He told BBC Scotland News in February 2014: "The first time I went climbing was in 1945 and I remember cutting our way through snow in Glencoe. |
"I've not seen anything like it until now. | "I've not seen anything like it until now. |
"The volume of snow is colossal." | "The volume of snow is colossal." |
According to records, the Sphinx previously melted in 1933, 1953, 1959, 1996, 2003 and 2006. | According to records, the Sphinx previously melted in 1933, 1953, 1959, 1996, 2003 and 2006. |
Dr Adam Watson, a biologist dubbed Mr Cairngorms because of his years studying the mountains, has written of the snow at Garbh Choire Mor. | Dr Adam Watson, a biologist dubbed Mr Cairngorms because of his years studying the mountains, has written of the snow at Garbh Choire Mor. |
His research of snow lying there for years drew on information handed down by generations of stalkers and families that had worked in that area. | His research of snow lying there for years drew on information handed down by generations of stalkers and families that had worked in that area. |
Braeriach is a 1,296m (4,252ft) Munro in the Cairngorms. | Braeriach is a 1,296m (4,252ft) Munro in the Cairngorms. |
Garbh Choire Mor is described as Scotland's snowiest corrie because of the amount of snow it can hold even through summer months. | Garbh Choire Mor is described as Scotland's snowiest corrie because of the amount of snow it can hold even through summer months. |
UKClimbing.com describes Garbh Choire Mor as "remote" and having an "alpine feel". | UKClimbing.com describes Garbh Choire Mor as "remote" and having an "alpine feel". |
It also warns that it is a place to avoid in winter because of cornices - large overhanging ledges of snow that form above the corrie. | It also warns that it is a place to avoid in winter because of cornices - large overhanging ledges of snow that form above the corrie. |
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