Message of safety for winter walking
Mountaineering Scotland has relaunched a campaign encouraging people to stay safe while walking outdoors and up the mountains this winter.
The #ThinkWINTER campaign, now in its third year, draws on expert advice from a number of fields to help people get the most out of their winter adventures while acting responsibly and safely.
Mountaineering Scotland has teamed up with Scottish Mountain Rescue, Mountain Training, Glenmore Lodge, Snowsport Scotland and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland to ensure a wide range of activities are covered by the campaign and that its messages reach as many people as possible.
Using traditional and social media, as well as working with outdoor retailers and brands and the tourism industry, the campaign will provide advice on all sorts of activities including hill walking and mountaineering, back country skiing, hill-running and mountain biking.
Stuart Younie, CEO of Mountaineering Scotland, said:“It has been great to see #ThinkWINTER grow over the last three years and 2020 is set to be our biggest campaign yet.
“We are delighted to be working with so many partner organisations to help get our winter safety messages out there and particularly to all the new people who have been out enjoying the hills since lockdown.
“The winter environment in the hills can provide some amazing experiences but it can also be unforgiving for those who are not prepared and we want to make sure people have a great time while keeping themselves and others safe.”
Damon Powell, chairman of Scottish Mountain Rescue, the umbrella organisation which represents 24 rescue teams across Scotland, added: “We are all, new and experienced, finding our visits to the Scottish hills more important than ever this year.
“So, if you are lucky enough to be able to travel to enjoy Scotland’s mountains, when many would say they are at their finest, please do it safely, with the appropriate skills and equipment, as highlighted in the #ThinkWINTER campaign.”