The August survey methods have been the same since its inception in 2008. Namely, volunteers actually physically counting each patch of snow from a vantage point, taking photographs and notes where necessary. Each patch of snow, no matter how large or small, is counted as separate and is recorded as such.
Scepticism of the figures is understandable, though unwarranted. Every one of the patches on each hill is physically counted by trusted observers and then relayed to me, and from which I calculate the total amount.
2015 has been a remarkable year so far, with patches of snow found on survey day on Beinn Mhanach (Bridge of Orchy) in the south, to Beinn Dearg (Ullapool) in the north. There were over 100 hills this year that held snow, with Ben Nevis having 58 on its own. Some had only one or two.
As it stands there was a total of around 670 patches of snow counted, and I am still finalising the end figure. This is a very high number, and is almost certainly down to a large amount of westerly snow-storms in winter, coupled with a very cool summer.
I organise the annual survey and collect all the data, and I can assure all members on here that each and every patch of snow included in the survey was seen and counted.