Gairich, my 1st Munro this year, almost my last ever ...

[angusb]

Thank you for sharing this with us, a salutary reminder that there is a thin line between being safe and being sorry. I'm a novice, and am not equipped or experienced enough to go out in wintry conditions. I climbed Ciste Dhubh on Saturday, as my first walk of the year, yet, even being as careful as possible, still had a couple of slips. Gairich is on my to-do list - but I'll wait until the snow has gone.

[Lightfoot2017]

Oofft! Scary stuff indeed and a salutary lesson there for all of us. Gripping reading. Glad you survived your wee incident intact and relatively unscathed.

PS: great photos though…

[Helen Bruce]

Thanks again.

Difficult not to take good photos on a day like that!

[dogplodder]

Well deserved win for report of the month!

Your story struck a chord... My friend's brother's girl friend slipped walking on a wet grassy slope, hit her head on a rock and died. That, along with what happened to you, shows how easily a simple slip can become serious.

[Helen Bruce]

Thanks Dogplodder, but really sorry to hear your story. Thankfully the vast majority of trips to the outdoors don't result in any serious incidents. I know that I've learnt a good lesson about walking in thaw conditions from this slip, and hopefully a few others who read the post have also been reminded to take more care than they might otherwise have done.

I'm really delighted to have been voted March's winner, thanks for all your comments.

[tomyboy73]

scary stuff and deserved winner for your troubles

[Robert the Bruce]

Helen,

An excellent read and my first visit to this site!

Overtrousers and outer shells + snow can combine to produce glissade like speeds very quickly. You are most fortunate that you were able to arrest. But you are probably a better walker/mountaineer because of the experience, so if you have not already done so, put this day in your log book!

Best wishes,

Robert

[stevesey]

Very glad you managed to stop that slide.

I learned the other lesson about grass well over 40 years ago - that very dry grass can be very slippy. While geologising as a student, alone, slid on v dry grass above a sea cliff in Pembrokeshire, towards a sea cliff - urghhhhhhhhhhhh. Rolled over (instinct) and a geological hammer managed to arrest me in time although I yanked my ahoulder. Shudder to remember it!

That does remind me that as a kid we used to slide down local grass embankments on tea trays, cardboard etc in the summer. I expect a goretex/pertex or whatever jacket is just as slippy.

[AbbsFooty]

Great report! Sounds absoloutly terrifying; would of hated to be in our position at hat moment in time!
I'm vry glad you are safe! Thanks for posting

[norriew]

thanks for sharing, glad you’re ok. we should all learn from others’ mishaps

[Helen Bruce]

Thanks again everyone, great to read your comments.

And welcome to WH, Robert the Bruce! Look forward to your first trip report ...!

[Peter913]

Hi

Some nicely composed shots you have there and yes going munro bagging ill equipped and a good idea

Hope your ok and doesent put you off

Peter

[homerbarry]

Hmmm read this report before going up Gairich. Don't think my wife or I have been so nervous going up a mountain. Perhaps I shouldn't read the walker's reports prior to going up if they have this effect Thankfully we did it safely and had a fantastic view from the top.

[Cairngorm creeper]

What a scary experience, and good lesson for us. Glad your ok. Great pictures

[ancancha]

Phew