Scotland's hills and mountains offer a variety of different pleasures and experiences for walkers of all sorts. From gentle well signposted walks in the sheep clipped hills of the Borders region, to the brooding menace of Glen Coe on a stormy day, there is a challenge for everyone. But there are hazards despite the benign appearance of the hills in good weather which can trap the unprepared and unwary.
There are many steps you can take to make sure you enjoy a safe trip and to control the risk. Taking risk is a legitimate part of the outdoor experience but the responsibility is yours and should be exercised with caution and on the basis of sound preparation. If you are with others, and particularly leading others in the hills, you must balance your wishes with their needs.All Hillwalkers and nordic skiers are strongly advised to attend a (Mountain) First Aid Course.
Ski touring is not one of the most accident prone activities in the hills in winter, but nevertheless it is our responsibility to keep it that way and be equipped to avoid or overcome likely difficulties. This means:
The links to the left take you to pages that look at these issues in more detail
If you can reasonably walk off the mountain in daylight you should do so. If you are properly equipped to survive a night on the hill think carefully before calling help. It is your responsibility to look after yourself, you have no "god given right" to rescue. Remember it may not be you that you have to arrange help for but other you have met on your travels.
Although you hope never to call on Mountain Rescue, there may be times when it is the only sensible thing to do. The teams are co-ordinated and allocated to rescues through the police and are contacted by phoning 112 or 999. Carry a mobile, remember Vodaphone have the best coverage of the hills, but there are still dead spots especially in low spots or behind cliffs so you may have to climb or begin to walk out before you get a signal. If you have to call them make sure you have the best possible information on:
The RAF rescue team have a strict hierachy of priorities that are determined by this information. For futher information see MCofS.
The standard distress signal is six short blasts on a whistle or flashes on a torch repeated at intervals of one minute until the rescue arrives. If you see some one signalling you should not reply to their signal, as you, or the rescue team, may rely on them continuing to signal to help locate them. If they see a reply they may stop signalling, thinking that they have been found.
The Northern Constabulary, who have responsible for Mountain safety for the largest area of Scotland's mountains, have produced a nmemonic to help remind us of the preparation we should undertake before we venture out into the hills and mountains. While the hills are always potentially dangerous, with winter and lower temperatures and wilder weather, they are fickle friends and need much respect
P
Prepare thoroughly for your trip into hills/mountains.
E
Equipment should be checked and suitable for what you plan to undertake.
R
Route Card - leave a route card with a responsible person. It's
difficult to assist anyone when we don't know were they are.
F
Fitness is essential to safely complete your journey.
E
Experience, listen to the voice of experience.
C
Check on the up-to-date weather' conditions/forecasts.
T
Turn back in time. There is no shame in turning back - the hills will
always be there another day.
If you are responsible for leading a group you may be required to produce detailed route cards as part of your duty of care towards those in your charge, and it is more than just good practice good practice were legal liability may be involved. Club members are reminded they undertake activities with the Club at their own risk, but on Club meets route cards should be left with the meet organiser, nonetheless. There is an argument that too detailed route cards impede the freedom to go where the whim takes you, or, in ski touring in Scotland, where the snow cover is best. Sponteneity has its costs and it may be in terms of the worry you cause others when you do not arrive back on time. The Northern Constabulary provide a Hill Form. See the MCofS page for further advice and information.
Given the unfortunate prevalence of car theft you may not wish to display a route map in your car, but you can leave it in a hidden place, so if anyone has to alert the rescue service it can be found. It is a sensible precaution to indicate to someone where you are going, how you are going and what time you are intending to be back. Your route card is a good way to do this. By so doing, however, you are assuming the responsibility to let them know you have got off the mountain safely before they start to worry whether they should inform anyone you are missing.
The Mountaineering Club of Scotland Club has a number of pages which are relevant to general safety and for specific winter skills.
© Copyright Edinburgh Ski Touring Club 2010. e-mail: webman@estc.org.uk Last updated March 2010