MCofS urges hillwalkers to put a spring in their step

The mountain hare is putting a spring in its step and changing coat for summer in the Scottish mountains. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is asking walkers what they are doing to prepare for summer trips to the mountains.

The MCofS is calling out to hill walkers, especially those working their way through the Munros and Corbetts, with a springtime message to consider their skill levels and look at the information and other services offered by the MCofS ahead of the summer season.

The MCofS says, “The fatalities of the winter season were a stark reminder of the uncompromising nature of Scotland’s rugged mountains. Even at the height of summer, mountains can be hazardous to those with insufficient experience.” With this in mind, hill walkers should familiarise themselves with the safety information provided by the MCofS to help prepare themselves for the challenges to be found in the Scottish mountains.

The MCofS believes, “that hill walkers who become aware of and use the skills needed to improve self-reliance in the mountains are less likely to be involved in mountaineering incidents. Those who are better informed are also more likely to be aware of their access rights and associated responsibilities.

“The MCofS believes that hill walkers who join the MCofS will benefit from:
· Taking part in MCofS members-only safety and skills courses,
· Learning from safety-related articles in Scottish Mountaineer magazine, and
· Saving money via the MCofS Members’ Discount Scheme.”

MCofS Chief Officer, David Gibson, said: “If you are a hill walker getting your boots and rucksack ready for the summer season, our message is that this is the right time to be thinking about your skill levels and consider how you can acquire any training you might need, before you head for the hills.”

The MCofS has the following membership offers in place at the current time.
– Join by Direct Debit and your first year’s membership will be half price.
– Join before the end of May, pay by card or cheque, and your first year’s membership will run to the end of June 2014.
– Anyone joining the MCofS for the first time is entitled to a free gift (compass, DVD, beanie, wind jammer, chalk bag or book).
– Existing individual members can upgrade to joint or family membership for free (partner receives remainder of year’s membership for free). Offer ends August 31st. Details of these offers can be found at the MCofS website.