Increased mountain rescues prompt police warning
POLICE Scotland has issued a warning to people venturing out in the mountains this winter after a number of recent incidents in the Highlands.
Last week mountain rescue teams were called out more than 13 times and police are urging people to consider the dangers of the changeable conditions.
Chief Inspector Neil Anderson said: ‘Unless you are an experienced hillwalker or mountaineer I would advise against venturing into the hills if there is any likelihood of the conditions becoming adverse. Stay up to date with weather and avalanche forecasts and be prepared to change your plans if the weather is expected to change. If you are not experienced it is a good idea to stick to the lower or less challenging areas.
‘If you are enjoying outdoor pursuits please ensure you are properly dressed for the conditions. Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.’
The warning comes after mountain rescue teams in Lochaber and the Cairngorms were involved in a number of search and rescue operations in the last week, with varying degrees of success.
On Monday, police confirmed that searches were ongoing for a missing hillwalker in the Roy Bridge area who was reported to have fallen while climbing Beinn a’ Chaorainn.
On the same day, a hillwalker had to be airlifted to Raigmore hospital in Inverness after getting into difficulty in the Cairngorms.
Over the weekend, the Cairngorm MRT and coastguard were also involved in a nine-hour operation to rescue a hillwalker who got stranded in a blizzard while climbing Carn Ban Mor in the Glen Feshie area.
In a separate incident in Wester Ross, the body of 56-year-old Alan Gibson was found on Saturday evening after he set out to climb a group of Munros north of Strathcarron with his brother Neil, and both failed to return. A search to find Neil had to be abandoned earlier this week due to bad weather.
Reports from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) this week also showed there have been 94 avalanches recorded in the Scottish mountains so far this winter, surpassing the total for the whole of last year.
Chief Inspector Andersen continued: ‘A fully charged mobile phone is highly recommended, but remember that sub-zero conditions will take their toll on your battery life.
‘Remember also that the mapping app on your phone is no substitute for a proper map, and that when your battery dies, your map is gone. Make sure you have a map and compass and you know how to use it.
‘Take some emergency rations with you, just in case and make sure you know what time the sun sets and allow yourself plenty of time to get off the hill before darkness falls.’