Annual winter warning for mountaineers

Walkers and climbers are being reminded to take extra care in the mountains.

With the onset of winter, precautions are being advised, especially if snow is lying. A thin covering of snow over bare rock or scree can make footholds extremely slippery, without giving enough purchase for crampon points or ice axes to bite.

Heather Morning, from Mountaineering Scotland, said: ‘Conditions can be very treacherous at this time of year and just having the right equipment isn’t enough: you have to be able to call on experience to know how to deal with a whole range of conditions, both weather-wise and underfoot.

‘And that equipment and experience must also include a map and compass and a high standard of navigational ability, because you’re not going to have the luxury of time and comfort that you do in summer. You’re going to have to be able to navigate accurately in some pretty extreme conditions of poor visibility and while being buffeted by wind and snow.

‘Winter is a tremendous season in the mountains and the rewards are great when everything comes together, with great views, a sense of adventure and a very real sense of achievement.

‘You have to be ready for many challenges. 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. A head torch and spare batteries is crucial. If you are heading out on the higher tops, now is the time to add crampons, an ice axe and spare items such as hats and winter gloves.’

A vital job is checking the mountain weather forecast at a site such as www. mwis.org.uk.