MCofS News Release 10 November 2011
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is urging hill walkers and climbers to take particular care with preparation when heading out to the hills during the winter months.
Our Ten Point Winter Check List comes as shorter days and adverse weather conditions require preparation for the potential problems that can arise on a winter day or night spent on the Scottish hills.
MCofS Chief Officer, David Gibson, says: "There is a poignant quote that goes: Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement. Having considered a selection of typical winter pitfalls, the MCofS has developed a Winter Check List which we hope will help hill walkers and climbers to enhance their ability to make good judgements and return home safe from enjoyable days in the mountains."
The MCofS ten point winter check list is:
1. Check your head torch and GPS batteries are in good condition, renew them if they’re fading and always carry a spare set of batteries in your rucksack. Always check that everyone you go on the hill with has a head torch.
2. Carry a mobile phone whenever possible, but be aware that you won’t always get reception in remote places. Register with the SMS Emergency Text Service by visiting www.emergencysms.org.uk.
3. Carry an emergency survival bag or bivvy shelter with you in winter.
4. Check that your crampons fit your boots before using them, and get into the habit of putting them on before you reach icy ground.
5. Carry your ice axe and know how to use it. Why not attend a MCofS Winter Skills Course?
6. Carry a big enough rucksack in winter. Using the same rucksack that you carry in summer is a recipe for an uncomfortable day when you are carrying extra winter kit.
7. Carry sufficient extra layers of clothing in winter. The temperature drops quickly as darkness falls and you should plan for unexpected delays and the possibility that you could be out on the hill for an extended period in the event of an incident.
8. Always check the mountain weather forecast before going out and be prepared to change your plans.
9. Always check the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service avalanche forecast and modify your route when the forecast indicates avalanche conditions on your planned route.
10. Know when to turn back: the summit is only the half-way point of your journey.
MCofS Mountain Safety Adviser, Heather Morning, said: "Now that the clocks have turned back it is time for anyone who goes out onto the Scottish hills in winter to give serious thought to preparing themselves and their kit for the season ahead. If there are one or two points in this list of ten that you hadn’t previously thought about then do something about it before your next trip to the hills."
For further information contact Mike Dales on mike@mcofs.org.uk or go to the MCofS website at: http://www.mcofs.org.uk/mountain-safety.asp
Wednesday 23 November 2011
Friday 11 November 2011
Two days in Glen Carron
Day 1. I walked up Sgorr Ruadh commencing from Achnashellach Station through the woods then up onto a flatter area about 370m and took the left path up to the bealach, then steep climb up slope to the ridge then west to the summit. Great views in all directions and weather forecast spot on.
Day 2.Maol Chean-dearg. Commenced from Coulags taking the path sign posted for Glen Torridon. Followed the path past the bothy for about 1km and picked up path heading west to the bealach with great view of the Corbett, An Ruadh-stac. From the bealach headed north up quartzite scree to plateau then final ascent up sandstone rocks to the summit. Again weather excellent and had similar views from previous day.
Thursday 10 November 2011
Craigallian Fire
I’m writing to you in the hope that your Club would be willing to help us preserve a very important piece of Scottish history and outdoor heritage - the Craigallian Fire.
If you already know something of the Fire, forgive the following history lesson but there seem to be few people, even in mountaineering circles, who know anything of it ! During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Fire was a beacon for young, poor people from Glasgow and Clydebank who, through it, explored wider afield and were introduced to Scotland’s wilderness. It’s location and significance has been forgotten by all but a very few and soon will be lost completely unless the site is commemorated. Those who daily pass by the Fire site in their hundreds on the West Highland Way by Craigallian Loch are unaware of the debt they owe to the original young pioneers who opened up Scotland’s countryside to us all. Some Fire-sitters became prominent figures in the protection of our wild places.
There is a gathering view that a permanent memorial should be erected on the site of the Fire. It is the aim of my brother Bill and I, sons of an original Firesitter and Weekender – Professor Sir Robert (Bob) Grieve - to commemorate all those who sat by its flames gaining warmth, companionship and an awareness of wider horizons - and the potential of the human spirit. The attached electronic version of our hard-copy double-sided A5 information leaflet will give you some more information on the Fire and our project. Please do see our website: http://www.craigallianfire.org.uk/ for further information.
Would your Club be willing to publicise this project amongst your members and help us to raise the funds to erect this memorial and preserve this small but important part of Scotland’s history, which is about to fade into obscurity ? We need to raise about £5,000 to build and maintain the memorial which is designed by the well-known Scottish sculptor Tim Chalk. Any donation will be gratefully received.
Members could make individual donations by cheque or BACS (Acc No 10006869 Sort Code: 80-02-77). If you would prefer to collect monies for a Club donation, this also could be done by cheque or BACS. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Friends of the Craigallian Fire’ and sent to me at my address below. Please let me know which method (Club or individual) you would prefer. If you do make a donation, we would like to list your name on the website as a 'Friend of the Fire' – please let me know if you would prefer this not to be done.
Thank you for your help,
Iain Grieve
If you already know something of the Fire, forgive the following history lesson but there seem to be few people, even in mountaineering circles, who know anything of it ! During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Fire was a beacon for young, poor people from Glasgow and Clydebank who, through it, explored wider afield and were introduced to Scotland’s wilderness. It’s location and significance has been forgotten by all but a very few and soon will be lost completely unless the site is commemorated. Those who daily pass by the Fire site in their hundreds on the West Highland Way by Craigallian Loch are unaware of the debt they owe to the original young pioneers who opened up Scotland’s countryside to us all. Some Fire-sitters became prominent figures in the protection of our wild places.
There is a gathering view that a permanent memorial should be erected on the site of the Fire. It is the aim of my brother Bill and I, sons of an original Firesitter and Weekender – Professor Sir Robert (Bob) Grieve - to commemorate all those who sat by its flames gaining warmth, companionship and an awareness of wider horizons - and the potential of the human spirit. The attached electronic version of our hard-copy double-sided A5 information leaflet will give you some more information on the Fire and our project. Please do see our website: http://www.craigallianfire.org.uk/ for further information.
Would your Club be willing to publicise this project amongst your members and help us to raise the funds to erect this memorial and preserve this small but important part of Scotland’s history, which is about to fade into obscurity ? We need to raise about £5,000 to build and maintain the memorial which is designed by the well-known Scottish sculptor Tim Chalk. Any donation will be gratefully received.
Members could make individual donations by cheque or BACS (Acc No 10006869 Sort Code: 80-02-77). If you would prefer to collect monies for a Club donation, this also could be done by cheque or BACS. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Friends of the Craigallian Fire’ and sent to me at my address below. Please let me know which method (Club or individual) you would prefer. If you do make a donation, we would like to list your name on the website as a 'Friend of the Fire' – please let me know if you would prefer this not to be done.
Thank you for your help,
Iain Grieve
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