Nevis Range Blog

Over the summer the Engineering team have been busy carrying out lift maintenance on the hill.

They’ve replaced the bearings on the Goose t bar return bull-wheel, which involved removing the haul rope and then lowering the bull-wheel to the ground in order to allow access to the bearings. The old bearings were then removed and replaced with new ones.  The picture shows the Goose t bar return bull-wheel with the haul rope removed and the the bull-wheel sitting on the ground.

On the Quad chair, repairs have been carried out to the seat backs, the safety bars and other moving chair parts, and the chairs are now back on the cable.

All of the spring boxes on the tows have been striped, cleaned, greased and any worn parts have been replaced.  So far the Warrens boxes are loaded and the Goose and the Summit boxes are waiting in situ.

We take grease and oil sampling from all the bull-wheels and gearboxes on the lifts and, depending on the results, we take corrective action, for example,  gear box replacement or refurbishment.  In total, we’ve replaced over 200 sheaves / wheel liners, and there’s an average 8 sheaves / wheels on each lift tower …

On Braveheart, the main engine and auxiliary backup have both received maintenance, including oil and filter changes.  Both the service and emergency brakes have been cleaned and all safety aspects tested. All the chairs have been loaded and 1,000 litres of diesel has been flown over … in preparation for the snow.

The Engineers

The Engineers have been busy building new fencing on the hill … A total of 1200 metres of fencing is either completely new, or has been re built. 900 metres of this fencing is brand new rail style fencing. This rail type of fencing is much cleaner as there’s no wire used in the construction and, ultimately, it improves the look of the mountain and is in keeping with our environmental policy.

The lower part of Warrens run is now completely re-built using wooden rails - a total of 400 meters. The Alpha traverse is now completely re-built to the Goose burn - a total of 200 meters. The Alpha “get off” has been re-aligned to give better access to “Yokies” and Warrens drive. There’s been ongoing repairs to Switch and the Goose up-track. There’s completely new rail fencing on Goose to Fairway and the lower Rabbit run. A new line of rail fence has been built into the rocks from near the Goose drive to the Home Run Bridge which will give much improved access across the burn and will eliminate the dip, making the traverse much easier.

The Engineers

At last the back corrie has benefited from westerly snow resulting in increased cover and great sliding. Chancers top has filled in and has lost it’s twisted drop in but remains reasonably friendly with a roll in, all be it steeper than previously. Soft snow avalanches were released and then the ski down was knee deep powder. Looking round the corrie spontaneous releases of soft cornices and resulting avalanches were occurring. Rocks remain visible and lie in wait for the unsuspecting. Wingers and Cascade are very similar with soft cornices, great sliding, but hidden rocks. The traverse out is much better with increased cover and less rock, though very much as in the corrie. A lower traverse out seems the best.

The great sliding continues to the bottom of Braveheart, though thinning out, looking at the weather we will see what happens with thawing and or wind distribution over the next few days and conditions in the corrie.

In summary great sliding (big smiles)  for suitably experienced and equipped (safe travel techniques, slope assessment, transceivers, shovels, probes and a companion who knows how to use them), NOT PATROLLED (at own risk).

Freeze … thaw … and now colder temperatures bringing fresh snow have left the back corrie with mixed conditions today (29 Jan 2010). Wind blown, hard and icy on some aspects and others sliding great on fresh soft snow. Around the whole corrie soft cornices have formed that were readily collapsing with the weight of someone sliding past. The Nid Ridge itself remaining mainly scoured, firm but grippy. Chancers continues to have the best slide, but still with some rocks, with a steeper but still twisting rounded entrance. Rocks continue to make Back Track and Yellowbelly less attractive options. The traverse out can be achieved without walking but is still very rocky. Rob Roys traverse is complete back to Alpha Tow and the top station though slightly narrower from thawing conditions.

In summary the back has improved over the last few days with mixed conditions. It has some good sliding for those suitably experienced and equipped but is likely to remain Not Patrolled and therefore at your own risk.

Check the website for more info on the Back Corries, including definitions of the 3 status … Open, Closed, or Not Patrolled.

SKI PATROL

The recent freeze, thaw, fresh and wind blown snow deposits have resulted in little change generally in the back. Cover remains limited with lots of rocks mainly below Yellow Belly and Back Track entrances. Chancer’s is complete and remains the best ski within the corrie on soft snow, still with a friendly twisting roll in and limited rocks. Winger’s has less cover and no obvious skiable run though Cascade is improved and looks like a more viable option. Traversing out is certainly possible on a higher line though rocks are easily found and may require some walking to pass. The end of the Nid Ridge has better cover making access to Rob Roy’s Return easier.

The corrie remains beyond the limit of patroller area but has some good sliding for experienced and equipped off piste skiers happy to take responsibility for themselves.

The Back Corrie has some great sliding though still has limited cover. The Corrie has yet to benefit from prevailing westerly weather, less snow having fallen from the north and east which has provided masses else where. Chancers has the best cover to Braveheart tow, a twisting roll in entrance and consistent sliding. Localised instabilities have today been identified in the snow pack with soft snow on an icy base. Rocks remain either visible or just below the soft snow surface. The traverse out is complete on the right line up to the end of the Nid Ridge where it becomes impossibly rocky and icy to slide. Realistically a walk of about 200 metres is required to get to the top of Rob Roy’s Return from Pinball Alley where a complete traverse back to Alpha Tow is possible on the upside of the fence.

Formally the back corrie is NOT PATROLLED (at own risk) however for advanced skiers, with back country experience and suitably equipped, offers some early season potential.

We’re looking for a small group of folk to help us help our customers when we’re really busy. You’d work a few hours a day, a few days over the winter, at weekends and at holidays. If you’re willing to give up your sliding time to help people, and talk about the snow & run conditions, about what’s going on and how to keep in touch, then this may be for you. If you’re interested, then please email davie@nevisrange.co.uk telling him why you want to get involved

 

Two men and a dog have been busy on the pistes of Aonach Mor getting ready for the SNOW :)  Amidst  blue skies tropical sunshine and horizontal hail, on the same day we hasten to add, they’ve been fixing the existing fencing and building new fencing.

There’s been a bit of filming going at Nevis recently and as it was a blue skies day yesterday, I took the opportunity to sneak up in the helichopper to take a couple of (hundred) pics.  For the skiers and snowboarders, there’s a shot of the last remaining bit of snow, the hill with no snow (check the gully down the goose) + you can see the new fencing that’s going in right now.  For the bikers, you can see the DH and the Nevis Red XC trails pretty clearly.  And for the climbers, we went over the back and you can see some routes.  Enjoy.  I certainly did

Folk have been asking about the status of the Back Corrie.  At present its closed as there is not enough snow, as well as an avalanche risk.  As soon as its open, we’ll update the Ski report on the website at www.nevisrange.co.uk/winter/mountain/conditions.asp

Ski Patrol