On a slightly more serious note…
Our aim as a club is to have as much fun in the hills and on the wall as we can, but the activities we do have some inherent risks associated. It’s extremely important to keep on top of all the information you can, from weather forecasts to knowledge about avalanches and first aid. We have a few qualified first aiders in the club, as well as plenty of experience between us, but experience and first aid don’t stop people dying in the Scottish mountains every year.
Before you go out, make sure you have a plan, someone KNOWS WHERE AND WHEN YOU ARE GOING, you have a map, compass, charged mobile phone and enough food and clothes to keep you warm if you have to stop for a long period of time. There are a few links below to help you stay safe in the hills, and please remember IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO STAY WITHIN YOUR LIMITS.
There are also Student Skills courses and winter skills courses run every year by Glenmore lodge that we send people to, as well as many safety talks run by Heather Morning and other highly qualified people.
Navigation and Being Prepared
Nav can be tricky but if you don’t know how to take a bearing, read a map or any of that confusing (yet important!) stuff, there are people in the club on every trip who can help you learn.
When you’re packing for a day out, make sure you’ve got everything you need to stay warm, happy, and safe.
When it comes to climbing it is obvious that there is risk involved, and as soon as you add ropes to the equation, the consequences of letting go or falling off are probably much higher. Make sure you have the skills to do what you plan to do and most simply, don’t be stupid.
Weather
This is Scotland!! The weather can be fickle and it’s always a good idea to know what might come your way and how to plan for the occasion. Did you know the fastest wind speed ever recorded in the UK was 173mph on the summit of Cairn Gorm? That would literally blow you away!
The best forecasts for Scottish mountain areas are:
MWIS: https://www.mwis.org.uk/
Mountain Forecast: https://www.mountain-forecast.com/
The BBC and MET office are also very valuable for getting a general overview of what it might be like on the ground, but bear in mind that it is always colder, wetter and windier when you’re on the hill!
Winter
Snow and general coldness can create some truly monstruous conditions. They can create incredible features for us to play on, but there is huge risk involved and these features can become truly deadly. Keep an eye on the weather before you go, make sure you have the skills required, and use these handy links to help keep you safe:
Scottish Avalanche Information Service:
https://www.sais.gov.uk/
– This website also has loads of handy tips for checking the snowpack and is an incredibly useful resource
Ground conditions in UK mountain areas:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/345833125602252/
This is a very active Facebook page where people discuss what is actually going on in the hills; not just a forecast!
Know your limits
This is the best thing you can do to stay safe. Learn something every time you go out, if you don’t know: ask, and stay switched on.
Always remember the 7 P’s:
Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
Or death…
For more information on how to stay safe in the hills have a look at Mountaineering Scotland’s website; they’ve got looooads more information than there is here from Navigation to climbing techniques:
