An essential new leaflet for winter mountaineers has been made available on the Scottish Avalanche Information Service website.
The 'Be Avalanche Aware' leaflet – which can be downloaded free – gives essential advice for anyone heading into Scotland’s mountains in winter. The leaflet is also available in print form from specialist outdoor shops, National Outdoor Training Centres, Ski Resorts and other places.
The leaflet – funded by sportscotland – provides a simply-written and clear guide for walkers, mountaineers and climbers on making decisions prior to and during their trips to the winter hills. The illustrated advice covers covering pre-trip planning, the day of the trip itself, and decisions to be taken at specific points during the day. For each section, the guide considers avalanche hazard and weather, the abilities of the party, and the nature of the terrain.
It stresses the importance of forward planning, flexibility, and constant attention to changing circumstances through the day, as well as an honest awareness of the party’s own skill level and abilities.
The collaboration to produce the pamphlet was facilitated by the Snow and Avalanche Foundation of Scotland (SAFOS), with collaborative agencies including: Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service, Snow And Avalanche Foundation of Scotland, British Mountain Guides, Glenmore Lodge National Outdoor Training Centre Scotland, Plas y Brenin National Outdoor Training Centre England, Mountaineering Council of Scotland, British Association of Ski Patrollers, British Mountaineering Council, Police Scotland, Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland, Scottish Mountaineering Club, British Association of International Mountain Leaders, Mountain Training UK, Mountain Training Scotland, Association of Mountaineering Instructors, SLF (Snow and Avalanche Research) Switzerland.
Links:
Be Avalanche Aware leaflet
Scottish Avalanche Information Service