{"id":20231,"date":"2019-10-23T13:44:03","date_gmt":"2019-10-23T13:44:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/?p=20231"},"modified":"2019-10-23T13:44:04","modified_gmt":"2019-10-23T13:44:04","slug":"mountain-safety-clocks-go-back-and-torches-come-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/mountain-safety-clocks-go-back-and-torches-come-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Mountain safety – clocks go back and torches come out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Some\nof the first snows of winter are expected this weekend. It may still\nonly be October, but hill walkers have been warned they should be\nprepared for winter conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And with the days\nshortening and clocks going back an hour this weekend, darkness will\nbe coming a lot sooner, making a headtorch an essential piece of kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShort days and\nsevere weather put greater demands on your equipment and your own\nability and hillcraft,\u201d said Mountaineering Scotland Mountain\nSafety Adviser Heather Morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow is the\ntime to \u2018winterise\u2019 your rucksack \u2013 make sure you\u2019re properly\nprepared for winter weather and have all the necessary equipment as\nwell as adequate clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlanning for\nyour route takes on extra importance too. You need to factor in the\nreduced daylight hours and that weather and ground conditions could\nslow you down considerably, so it\u2019s best not to be overambitious at\nthe start of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 14 December,\nthe sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) at\nwww.sais.gov.uk will again provide free daily reports on snow\nconditions and avalanche forecasts for six mountain areas of\nScotland. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damon Powell,\nchair of Scottish Mountain Rescue, said: \u201cWe fully endorse the\nMountaineering Scotland winter safety message and would encourage\nhillgoers to ensure that they have left details of their intended\nroute and expected return time. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt this time\nof year Mountain Rescue teams are repacking the equipment needed for\nthe shorter daylight hours, colder days and the approaching wintry\nweather. More warm clothing, winter grade waterproofs, thicker and\nmore pairs of gloves, warmer hats, goggles, larger torches with\nsufficient battery to get through a night. Axe, crampons, avalanche\ntransceiver, probe and shovel will all be dusted off and checked\nready for when needed. These days a range of navigational tools will\nALL be carried to assist on dark nights: map and compass, GPS and\nsmart phones with OS Locate or a mapping app, all weather proofed and\ntested to work in very wet and cold conditions and with enough spare\nbatteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\u201cRemember Mountain Rescue in Scotland is provided free by world\nclass volunteers on call at all times and in all weathers. If you\nrequire assistance on the hills, dial 999 ask for Police then\nMountain Rescue.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some of the first snows of winter are expected this weekend. It may still only be October, but hill walkers have been warned they should be prepared for winter conditions. And with the days shortening and clocks going back an hour this weekend, darkness will be coming a lot sooner, making a headtorch an essential piece of kit. \u201cShort days and severe weather put greater demands on your equipment and your own ability and hillcraft,\u201d said Mountaineering Scotland Mountain Safety Adviser Heather Morning. \u201cNow is the time to \u2018winterise\u2019 your rucksack \u2013 make sure you\u2019re properly prepared for winter weather…<\/span> <\/p>\n

Read more ›<\/div>\n

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