I learned through a combination of reading every mountaineering instruction book I could get my hands on and joining a local climbing club (aged 15 - some time ago now!). As regards the latter I was usually in safe hands, but not always! On a trip to Snowdonia one January when I was 17, I somehow got paired up with a chap (nicknamed "Stan the Man") who, though quite experienced and talented as a climber, had a reputation for taking undue risks. Setting out from Ogwen rather late in the day, we got to the top of Glyder Fawr via the Devil's Kitchen at about 3.30pm. "I think we've got time to take in Glyder Fach", he announced. Swept along by Stan's enthusiasm and not knowing any better, I didn't argue. It was well past 4pm, and starting to get dark, by the time we got to the summit of Glyder Fach. Yes, we did have head-torches (fortunately), but what ensued was one of the most tortuous and stressful descents I've ever had the misfortune to experience, my most vivid memory of which were the sparks that flew into the darkness when our crampons struck exposed rock, frequently. When we eventually got back to Ogwen, the others were waiting for us with thunderous countenance. They'd been on the verge of calling out the MRT. Stan got a thorough and serious roasting, and I felt ashamed both for him and myself.
weedavie wrote:What they did was irresponsible or ill-informed, but they nearly got away with it. Leaving the summit, if they'd located the path instead of drifting into the corrie, they'd have probably made it down and we'd never have heard of them. Mind you if they'd drifted off to the other side, they'd have plummetted down a gully and the search would still be on. I'm amazed at what they did achieve, a winter Nevis in gutties.
Glad you said "nearly" got away with it, because being forced to call out the MR and surviving only due to the MRT's prompt and expert response, is certainly not "getting away with it". In fact it's not even
nearly getting away with it, is it? Locating a path buried in snow in blizzard conditions is difficult, don't you think? Without being able to take an accurate bearing I'd say it was more likely than not that they'd miss the path. So, saying that they'd have probably made it down if they'd located the path is a bit like saying I could probably retire if I won the lottery.