by bikeman » Mon Oct 17, 2011 1:44 pm
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My buddy and I arrived at the car park above the now demolished Ben Lawer visitor centre 9.30am intending to walk Meall nan Tarmachan, following the Walk Highland route for the Tarmachan ridge, but returning from the summit the same way. As usual the weather was not doing what it was suposed to on MWIS forecast, it was misty [to misty for picts.],never the less we decided to carry on so booted and suited we left at 10am.the route was easy to follow and as was decribed on WH walks. We reached the summit in 2hrs.where it was windy and cold so we decided to take photos of us at the summit then make our way back down a bit find some kind of shelter have somthing to eat before continuing back down the way we had come. We had gone about 200yards and had started to decend the steep bit between the craggs when things changed. My buddy slipped on a very slippery rock fell on his backside [simples] but on his way down his elbow hit a big rock and he broke his elbow.I called mountain rescue gave our details GPS etc.,As he was in great pain and a bit shocked, I got him into a survival bag and kept him topped up with cups of tea. Mountain rescue called back and let us know that they were sending a helicopter, visibility was almost zero, I was standing on the the The side of the mountain flashing a torch trying to guide them in. I could hear them just in front of me but it was too foggy for me to see them and for them to see me.There was no place for them to land so they pulled back and descended out of the mist and landed. The medics then climbed up to us.They dosed my buddy up with pain killers and put a splint on his arm.he tried to walk down to the helicopter but the pain was too great. The mist had started to clear a bit so 2 of the rescue crew and I descended to the helicopter, leaving the para medic with him. when we were on board they then moved up to where he was and winched him up into the helicopter. They then flew me down Ben Lawers car park where the the police were waiting to take me back to where our car was parked. They then flew him to the Southern General in Glasgow where he was given excellent service, In his words it could not have been better for which he sends his greatfull thanks.He will be in plaster for about 12 weeks. We cannot thank the Mountain Rescue Service, Police ,cordinators and everyone involved in helping us enough saying thanks is not nearly enough.Mountain Service you were Immense.Bikeman
