Snowdon in winter. Photo: Martin Morris
Don’t be tempted by hype to adopt a gung-ho attitude to tackling mountains in winter.
That’s the sound advice issued today by the British Mountaineering Council after recent events in Snowdonia that saw three deaths and numerous walkers and climbers involved in rescue incidents.
The BMC says that those wishing to venture on to the mountains of Snowdonia in both winter and summer should build up their experience and not overstretch themselves in the pursuit of adventure.
In a statement, the BMC, which represents climbers, hillwalkers and mountaineers in Britain, said: “Don’t be influenced by the hype that surrounds adventure activities in the 21st century. It is not always best to ‘go for it’.”
Warm clothing and the correct technical gear are essential when walking and climbing.
“It is important to recognise that although it is relatively easy to access Snowdonia’s mountains in both summer and winter, the terrain is nonetheless as serious as that found in any of Britain’s mountains,” the council said.
“The full range of mountaineering and climbing skills are needed to manage the risks involved. Some of the skills are technical but equally important are judgement and decision-making. It takes time to acquire these skills.”
Walkers should get a weather forecast and tailor their expeditions to their level of skill and experience.
It also points out that the Jonathan Conville Memorial Trust offers subsidies for those wishing to undertake winter skills courses. The BMC also publishes the Winter Skills Handbook and a DVD detailing the appropriate skills for taking to Britain’s mountains in winter.
The BMC also points out that mountain rescue services should be reserved for real emergencies.
“Only call out mountain rescue if absolutely necessary. Remember that they are all volunteers and may have other rescues to deal with,” the council said.
“If you do need rescue, dial 999 ask for the police and then ask for mountain rescue. If you are able, tell them the six-figure grid reference of the location you are at.”
Snowdonia’s volunteer mountain rescue teams had to cope with six incidents in one day at the weekend, including the death of 27-year-old Gwyn Norrell, who was found on Clogwyn Coch, the site where two brothers, James and Christopher McCallion, died the previous weekend.
Mountain rescue teams in the Lake District and Scotland were also kept busy as the extreme weather caught out walkers on the mountains.
The Piglit
11 February 2009It's a sad reflection of something that the BMC has had to say this.
Jhimmy
11 February 2009I've said this on many other forums, that "some" walking magazines encourage walkers/scramblers to far exceed their experience on the hills. You read the articles and see smiling faces and read of "excitement" at the dangers of being high on a mountain. You want to be there, experience doesn't matter coz you've read the article!
It would be interesting to know, how many walkers that have been involved in accidents read magazines, bought products recommended by magazines, had the accidents on a route that had been suggested by a magazine.
Don't get me wrong, I've read and bought magazines, however, their attitude did change (IMO) a few years ago to one of excitement on the hills, rather then the leisure aspect, the enjoyment of just going for a walk being replaced with a risk culture. Magazines are good and entertaining, but they can't replace the apprenticeship many of us have learned on the hills through practice.
Gav
12 February 2009Piglit's comments are, presumably by intent, supposed to appear to be very profound but sadly, they are simply meaningless.
Or am I missing something ?
Cammy
12 February 2009I think it is sad that things have come to this. I totally agree with the statement made by the BMC and by what Piglit and Jhimmy have said. I can think of a well known glossy hillwalking magazine which is aimed at novices, publishes step by step route descriptions and encourages people to "go for it" and to "push it". They encourage novices to do full-on winter mountaineering routes and everything seems to be aimed at 'Conquest' and showing off. Indeed they always say things like "you will be able to show off to your mates down the pub after tackling this one!" Pathetic, and whats more novices are being dangerously misled and I would even go so far as to say that the magazine in question is bringing the wrong sort of people to the hills ie people attracted by derring-do, conquest and showing off rather than people going to the hills for its own sake and this is bound to lead to increased mountain rescue call-outs.
Gav
12 February 2009Apologies Piglit - I had indeed completely misinterpreted the meaning of your "something"...
Too many grey cells gubbed last night I'm afraid
I do hold very strong views that the popularisation of hillwalking and mountaineering has led to a huge increase in the number of folk we meet on the hills who simply do not possess the basic competencies required [ such as basic navigation skills ] to guarantee their own safety in compromising situations.
Apologies once again to you [ Mr ? ] Piglit