MAKING DECISIONS IN WINTER

Jon Jones, Head of Rock and Mountain at Glenmore Lodge, walks us through the steps for a successful winter day out in the mountains

Winter is fickle and changeable. Whether new to hiking during the winter or a seasoned Munro-bagger, we all want to return happy having achieved our goals. Decision making is woven into every facet of that success. It starts in the days before you head out and continues throughout the day. So, what does successful decision making for a winter hill day look like?

Planning ahead: where, when and how

What conditions might you expect to find? Lucy Wallace’s article [previous spread] covers the hazards you might encounter on the ground; but where might you find these, exactly? Before deciding where to go for a winter day in the hills, gather as much information as you can about conditions in different mountain areas. Getting a handle on where ‘issues’ are more likely is best done in the days or even weeks before, with a final check of the weather and avalanche forecasts the night before. Scottish Avalanche Information

Service produces daily avalanche hazard forecasts during winter for the most popular Scottish mountain areas, as well as blogging about general conditions for hill-goers. Its website also has a wealth of resources for learning about avalanches and how to avoid them: sais.gov.uk

Lake District Weatherline publishes daily fell-top reports throughout the winter, from the summit of Helvellyn: lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk/home Snowdonia National Park Authority

has a bi-weekly winter conditions report from the summit of Snowdon, found on Twitter via the handle @snowdonweather Mountain Weather Information

Service produces three-day weather forecasts for walkers and climbers for the mountain regions of the UK: mwis.org.uk

Met Office produces mountain forecasts predicting conditions found at altitude, and considering how the weather differs in the mountains, for an accurate picture of what it will feel like on the summits. It also generates summit-specific forecasts: metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialistforecasts/mountain

Social media

There is much advice to be found on social media – both good and bad – but many outdoor professionals regularly post conditions reports, both to advertise their business, and to share local knowledge about conditions. This can be incredibly useful because they are out very regularly.

Group skills

Having done all this research, you should have a better picture of what the weather and ground conditions will be like in the hills on your chosen day, and you can start formulating some ideas about what kind of route would be best. Now is the time to take a look at your group and your aspirations. How experienced is everyone, and how well-equipped? Factor everyone’s experience in to your route choice. Be sure to check the detail of your intended route, looking at steep sections, river crossings, sheltered areas where snow may accumulate, terrain traps and possible cornice hazards. Will everyone manage these conditions? Will you?

It’s easier than it should be to stick to a planned route when weather and conditions aren’t right, especially if you’ve booked accommodation already. If you are committed to a location, build in a Plan B and a Plan C to make your plan adaptable if things change on the day. Ultimately, the mountain will always be there – and it’s perfectly okay to change your plans and even head to a café instead of the hills.

Reality check

The night before, you’ll also want to compare your plans with the reality of what you could expect. Has anything changed in the last day or so? It’s not just the weather – it’s also the landscape, yourself and your group.

Give everyone you are heading out with a chance to express their thoughts or concerns. Do all your ambitions line up? Are your friends anxious about their fitness

Success in the winter hills is all about prevention and managing risks.

or their kit, for example? How are you feeling in yourself ?

One of the unique things about winter is the additional time pressure. The days are shorter. Use the evening before to refine your route choices and pack your bag. Check and double-check map, goggles, axe, crampons, torch, spare batteries, food and clothing. Don’t try to make informed decisions in the dark, first thing in the morning.

On the day

As you start your mountain journey, use the walk-in to check in on yourself, your group and the conditions. Your observations on the way should ideally fit with what you were expecting based on your planning and research.

Look for clues. Be a weather detective. Are the paths icier than expected, or is there water running down them? Are there snow bridges over burns? Is there windblown snow? Where has it accumulated?

If conditions or the weather are not as expected, then change to a different plan. Perhaps a different descent route, returning by the same route or shortening the day.

The walk-in is also the time to check that everyone is still happy, and that any kit is working as it should.

The brain game

Humans are social creatures, and our brains can play strange tricks, especially if under environmental stress. Watch out for the following behavioural traps!

Overcommitment: If you only have the one plan and you are sticking with it despite all the signs telling you to turn back. This is why it is important to have a few options in mind. Don’t think of these as lesser options, simply an array of options that will deliver a good day out!

Social proof: Just because other people are carrying on, or going up a slope that you judge to not be appropriate, either because of conditions or your team’s ability, don’t fall into the trap of following them. Follow your own agenda.

Expert halo: Make sure that everyone is buying in to the adventure and is not staying quiet because they don’t want to ‘challenge’ the perceived expert. Everyone, especially the quiet person not speaking, should have a chance to express their thoughts. Avoid falling into the trap of ‘they know best’.

Think about driving a car. When you get tired and you’re not paying attention, that’s when accidents can happen. It’s similar in the mountains. When you’re not vigilant, you can get caught out.