Mountaineering Council of Scotland Winter Safety News Release
MCofS Chief Officer, David Gibson,
says: “There is a poignant quote that goes: Good judgement comes from
experience. Experience comes from bad judgement. Having considered a
selection of typical winter pitfalls, the MCofS has developed a Winter Check
List which we hope will help hill walkers and climbers to enhance their ability
to make good judgements and return home safe from enjoyable days in the
mountains.”
The MCofS ten point winter check list
is:
1. Check your head torch and GPS
batteries are in good condition, renew them if they’re fading and always carry a
spare set of batteries in your rucksack. Always check that everyone you go on
the hill with has a head torch.
2. Carry a mobile phone whenever
possible, but be aware that you won’t always get reception in remote places.
Register with the SMS Emergency Text Service by visiting www.emergencysms.org.uk.
3. Carry an emergency survival bag or
bivvy shelter with you in winter.
4. Check that your crampons fit your
boots before using them, and get into the habit of putting them on before you
reach icy ground.
6. Carry a big enough rucksack in
winter. Using the same rucksack that you carry in summer is a recipe for an
uncomfortable day when you are carrying extra winter kit.
7. Carry sufficient extra layers of
clothing in winter. The temperature drops quickly as darkness falls and you
should plan for unexpected delays and the possibility that you could be out on
the hill for an extended period in the event of an
incident.
8. Always check the mountain weather forecast before going out and
be prepared to change your plans.
9. Always check the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service
avalanche forecast and modify your route when the forecast indicates avalanche
conditions on your planned route.
10. Know when to turn back: the summit is
only the half-way point of your journey.
MCofS Mountain Safety Adviser, Heather
Morning, said: “Now that the clocks have turned back it is time for anyone who
goes out onto the Scottish hills in winter to give serious thought to preparing
themselves and their kit for the season ahead. If there are one or two points
in this list of ten that you hadn’t previously thought about then do something
about it before your next trip to the hills.“
For further information contact Mike
Dales on mike@mcofs.org.uk or go to the
MCofS website at: http://www.mcofs.org.uk/mountain-safety.asp.
Interesting. This is possibly the first time I've seen advice from the MCofS that doesn't mention map/compass but does mention GPS. Winter is the time you're most likely to lose the map so need to carry at least one spare in the group. Interesting times indeed.
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