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First step to successful winter walking in Scotland s mountains is planning for a great day out By John Davidson Published: 11:00, 03 January 2021
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By Ben Gibson, mountain safety adviser with Mountaineering Scotland
Clear, crisp days live long in the memory in winter. Picture: Ben Gibson/Mountaineering Scotland
Winterâs mountain memories are always etched crystal clear in the mindâs eye. Whether you recall the blue-sky days when the sun glints off endless snow-covered hills, or the heads down struggle into the teeth of a blizzard, winter days have an intensity that burns into the memory.
First step to winter walking in Scotland s mountains is planning for a great day out
By Ben Gibson, mountain safety adviser with Mountaineering Scotland
Clear, crisp days live long in the memory in winter. Picture: Ben Gibson/Mountaineering Scotland
Winterâs mountain memories are always etched crystal clear in the mindâs eye. Whether you recall the blue-sky days when the sun glints off endless snow-covered hills, or the heads down struggle into the teeth of a blizzard, winter days have an intensity that burns into the memory.
Think winter and it tends to be the snow and the endless views that come to mind. Thatâs what we all hope for. But mountaineering experts urge people not just to think about winter but to #ThinkWINTER.
BBC News
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image copyrightSAIS
image captionThe latest SAIS avalanche forecasting season has begun amid wintry conditions in the Northern Cairngorms
More than a dozen climbers had lucky escapes after being swept down mountainsides by avalanches last winter.
Fifteen people were caught in snow slides, according to the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS).
One group of roped together climbers was saved by a piece of equipment that kept their ropes anchored into the rockface or ice.
The incident happened on Ben Nevis, Britain s highest mountain.
There was one fatality during SAIS s 2019-20 season, according to its annual report.
SAIS recorded a total of 241 avalanches last season, which was cut short by the Covid-19 lockdown.
Warnings issued to hill novices tempted to climb during winter By George Mair THEY are Scotland’s majestic peaks which have usually attracted only the most adventurous of mountaineers to tackle them in all weathers. But a rise in the number of people climbing Scotland’s mountains since lockdown has seen a safety campaign launched to warn people about the extra hazards they pose during the winter season. #ThinkWINTER will run throughout the season to promote safety awareness for mountaineers and outdoors enthusiasts planning to venture out over the next few months. Experts say the campaign, now in its third year, is more important than ever, after a noticeable increase in the number of people heading for the hills and mountains this summer.
Outdoor experts in plea for enthusiasts to #ThinkWINTER By John Davidson
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Updated: 11:35, 11 December 2020
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The mountains provide new challenges in winter.
People hoping to make the most of the great outdoors this winter are being encouraged to think about safety as the weather and conditions change.
The 2020 #ThinkWINTER campaign was launched this week by Mountaineering Scotland, along with partners including Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, Scottish Mountain Rescue and Glenmore Lodge.
This summer saw an increase in the number of people accessing the outdoors for leisure and recreation, and Mountaineering Scotland expects that trend to continue into the winter.