Following a series of rescue call outs involving walkers in the Cairngorms, Grampian Police have urged groups to have the correct level of skill and equipment, particularly with regards to navigation.
The Police statement states, “Over the past four nights, both Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team and the joint Grampian Police/Braemar Mountain Rescue Team, supported by colleagues from the Search and Rescue Dog Association, Aberdeen Mountain Rescue and Royal Navy Search and Rescue helicopter from Prestwick have collectively responded to four separate incidents within the Caingorms.
“The 18 individuals involved all appear to have been attempting to navigate within the Caingorms using smartphone-type technology.
“Whilst all were traced safe and well, it is disappointing to both the police and the mountain rescue teams that there appeared to be a complete reliance on a navigation technology which we would consider unsuitable for the terrain these groups are traversing.”
Chief Inspector Andrew Todd, co-ordinator of mountain rescue in Grampian, said: “I have been involved in mountain rescue for nearly 20 years and, whilst technology can and does play an important part in raising the alarm or assisting navigation, it appears we may be about to witness a marked increase in the complete reliance of smartphone apps to navigate some of the UK’s highest mountains.
“What is particularly concerning is that the individuals who are relying on this apparently inappropriate technology often do not possess even rudimentary mountain navigation skills.
“This is putting their lives at risk, and whilst Scotland’s mountains are there for all to enjoy, there is a personal responsibility on those who venture into the mountains to do so only when properly equipped and skilled.”
A group of 14 people were walked to safety from Ben Macdui on Monday night after becoming immersed in fog at around 7pm. No one was injured as a result.
Hillwalking safety information is available on Walkhighlands and via the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, which runs regular navigation courses. GPS and GPS-enabled smartphones are very useful navigation devices but should always be used in conjunction with a traditional map and compass along with the skills to use them.