Having the correct skills for Scotland's winter mountains is as important as having the correct equipment, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland have warned. With winter now firmly established, the body representing Scotland’s hillwalkers and climbers is advising would-be hill-goers that it’s not enough just to fork out lots of money for the latest foul weather gear and mountaineering equipment.
“Ice axes and crampons are an essential part of kit for winter,” said MCofS Safety Adviser Heather Morning. “But they can be a liability rather than a lifesaver if you don’t know how to use them.
“Every winter brings its toll of accidents, and so many are due to a simple slip while walking on what might be simple ground under summer conditions.
“Learning how to use crampons safely can prevent that slip, but they can also cause a trip if you don’t know how to use them. It’s the same with an ice axe. A real lifesaver if you know how to use it to stop a fall, but a potentially deadly weapon whirling around your body if you don’t know how to prevent that slip turning into a longer fall.”
Other skills such as being able to navigate in poor visibility, and avalanche awareness are also essential to winter safety.
“People may be experienced hill walkers,” said Heather. “But there is no hill walking in the Scottish mountains in winter – it’s mountaineering. And mountaineering demands additional skills as well as a higher level of existing skills and experience.”
The MCofS runs heavily subsidised winter skills courses based at Glenmore Lodge, near Aviemore. A weekend course runs from 20 to 22 December, while there are four one-day courses running from 4 to 8 January 2014.
There are also two one-day avalanche awareness courses, based at the Nevis Range ski area north of Fort William, designed for people with winter experience but who want to increase their knowledge of snow and avalanches. There are one or two places left on these courses, which are on 28 and 29 December.
“Having the right equipment – ice axe and crampons, head torch, snow goggles, hat and gloves, and the correct clothing – is always essential,” said Heather. “But everyone’s heard the expression ‘All the gear and no idea’. Don’t be that person. Get clued up for winter.”
See http://www.mcofs.org.uk/winter-skills-courses.asp and http://www.mcofs.org.uk/avalanche-awareness-course.asp for all the details.