Winter warning for hillwalkers
Time to pack extra kit in rucksack
Perth-based Mountaineering Scotland is calling on hillkwalkers, trekkers and other outdoor enthusiasts heading for the hills to be ready for winter.
As temperatures have dropped in recent days it says those venturing out should be doubly ready for the worst of winter weather, including ensuring they have basics such as torches and spare batteries.
So far this year 20 people have died on the country’s peaks and among the tragedies are people with high levels of experience - prompting the timely message as winter deepens.
Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Adviser with Mountaineering Scotland advises:“Shorter daylight hours, dropping temperatures and the first snow on the hill are all good indicators that it is time to think about extra kit in your rucksack.
“Routes will take longer than expected in winter conditions and many people will end up finishing in the dark – so a head torch – and spare batteries – is crucial. In fact better still is to carry a spare head torch – as anyone who has tried to change batteries in the cold and dark will testify!”
Heather continues:“If you are heading out on the higher tops, now is the time to add crampons, rigid boots to accommodate them, an ice axe and spare essentials such as hats and winter gloves to your essential kit list.”
Mountaineering Scotland also runs a number of subsidised winter mountain skills training courses, and provides further guidance at www. mountaineering. scot/safety-and- skills
Advisor Heather Morning wants hillwalkers to be prepared this winter