Monday 5 October 2009
While most of us are still waiting for the summer to arrive, sportscotland’s Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) is already gearing up for winter with the appointment of a new service co-ordinator.
With 25 years of experience as an international mountain guide, Mark Diggins is certainly well qualified to take on the role of providing essential information to Scotland’s many mountain users. Diggins has a long association with avalanche education from his time spent as an instructor at the sportscotland National Centre Glenmore Lodge and throughout his career as a training officer for the British Mountain Guides.
Diggins also worked with the Canadian Avalanche Association to establish an avalanche training and assessment programme for mountain guides and ski professionals in the Alps. Established in the early 1990s, this now forms part of the training programme run by the European Avalanche School.
Ross Purves, Chair of the Snow and Avalanche Foundation for Scotland said: “We are delighted that Mark Diggins will be the new co-ordinator of the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service, and look forward to working with him to further improve the already world-class provision of avalanche forecasts to Scotland’s mountaineers.”
Mark Diggins responded: "I am very pleased to take up the position of sportscotland Avalanche Information Service co-ordinator and look forward to developing the current highly acclaimed service into the future.
“In particular I look forward to working with the team of Area observers who visit the mountains in all weathers on a daily basis carrying out their task, making field observations and avalanche hazard assessments for the SAIS avalanche report. This has become an essential source of information for members of the public wishing to enjoy the Scottish highlands safely in the winter months."
Scotland is proud of its reputation as an outdoor sports centre and the Avalanche Information Service and the Mountain Weather Information Service provide the thousands of outdoor enthusiasts with essential information to allow them to plan for a safe and enjoyable time in the mountains.
- The sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) provides daily forecasts of the avalanche and climbing conditions at five key climbing areas of Scotland during the winter season. http://www.sais.gov.uk
- SAIS also operates a subscription based text service allowing subscribers to receive daily text alerts of forecast avalanche hazards in their chosen area, direct to their mobile.
- The Snow and Avalanche Foundation for Scotland was originally formed in 2001. SAFOS has a number of roles including:
- the provision of advice to sportscotland on the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service;
- providing a forum for discussion of, and support for, research on avalanches in Scotland;
- promoting a better understanding of the avalanche problem amongst all who use the hills in winter conditions in conjunction with representative bodies; and
- giving advice on course content and syllabi for all levels of avalanche training and supporting appropriately qualified providers.