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Dress For The Hills

PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:14 pm
by Jim777
I won’t bother you with a serious walk report - this is more to do with the people I met on the hill as I was descending. I passed two families on the way down from the summit of Ben Vrackie to Loch a’ Choire.
I should have been brave enough to say something but I didn’t want to get into any arguments with irate parents.
The children in both families (they weren’t together) were basically dressed in trainers and t-shirts.
Admittedly there was no forecast of rain but it was still cold enough at the summit that you didn’t want to hang about. The path itself was covered in snow higher up which necessitated walking up where all the water normally runs down.

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Looking to the summit


As you can see the Loch was still partly frozen.

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View from summit


What can you say to parents to dissuade them without getting into an argument?

Re: Dress For The Hills

PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:41 pm
by matt_outandabout
Sometimes you cannot argue with stupid.

We had two guys in running shorts and hoodies on Ben Ledi - in -20odd windchill and deep snow this winter. They were shivering at the top within about 30 seconds of arriving. I thought about saying something, but likely it wouldn't have gone down well.

I have on occasion commented, sometimes quite clearly when leading a group as a mountain leader it is easier to say 'as a mountain leader (well prepared group in background), could I suggest that you need some waterproofs today? I think you will struggle...' kind of thing.
I have also made pointed jokes as well - 'Oh, I am glad to be heading down, it is p*ss*ng down up there....!'

Re: Dress For The Hills

PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:17 am
by JimboJim
" Nice to see your enthusiasm, kids....... and good thinking to get mum and dad to carry your safety gear and warm clothing for when you get to the top!" 😊

Re: Dress For The Hills

PostPosted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 12:36 pm
by daisie678
That's so shocking for me how could parents do that with their children, at least they have to wear something warm like a body warmer or sweater.

Re: Dress For The Hills

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:53 pm
by al78
I suspect this is a side effect of tourist summits. Ben Vrackie is Pitlochry's tourist summit. When there is a car park, a well made path, a bit of signage and not too much distance to cover, some think it is benign and there aren't any hazards, so just do it in clothes they would normally wear wandering around town..

Re: Dress For The Hills

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2021 6:38 pm
by PeteR
You don't want to be climbing Ben Nevis then 🤣 All those sensible shoes and heels.......not to mention the bottles of strongbow in carrier bags 🤣