Hillwalking in Scotland

Quick Guide to safe Hillwalking (draft version Nov 2005)

There's always going to be accidents on the hills, especially when walking in winter. But year after year parties of even experienced hillwalkers are involved in stupid incidents causing dangerous rescues, when a few simple precautions could drastically reduce the chance of getting lost, stranded or dying on the hills.

1. Before you go tell someone your route and expected time of return. Check the weather forecast and if advised not to go by the outdoor shop, tourist information, mountain rescue, B&B or locals - DON'T GO.
2. Plan your hillwalk route before you go, pick out landmarks on the map, try to estimate the time it'll take. New hillwalkers often don't realise that when tired and aching it's far harder to walk down than to go up. Novices should consider taking a qualified guide, there's plenty in Scotland, Wales and the Peak District.
3. Take a compass and map. Better, take two compasses in case you lose one or it breaks. Learn how to read a map, at least be able to take bearings and relate track directions and junctions to the map. Better still if you can read and understand map contours, but be aware visibility can reduce to zero in minutes.
4. Clothing. It may be a glorious day but for every 1,000 feet you climb it drops 1.5 degrees C. Add a chill factor from the wind, drying sweat and you're tired from the walk, just bring warm clothing even if you don't wear it to start with. Don't wear trainers, get a good pair of hill-walking boots. Save your ankles.
5. Clothing. It may rain, or even sleet in summer, let alone snow in winter. Bring something waterproof, bring a change, at least socks! You lose heat from the head and hands, better bring a hat and gloves. In winter you will probably need ice-axe and crampons. Best advice is to seek advice from an outdoor shop.
6. Water. Don't drink from stagnant pools, it's often not even safe to drink from running streams or burns. Bring your own bottle! Preferably not alcohol as that opens your pores and can cause hypothermia.
7. Food. At least bring a few chunks of chocloate, or the famous Kendal mint cake.
8. Don't go hillwalking alone, even if you think the route is popular with hillwalkers and busy.
9. Walk at your own speed. Take rests. It's not easy for faster walkers to walk slow, so it may be better to split the group into two, if it's large enough. Don't straggle off, and make sure you keep counting heads. It's astonishing how many walking groups you hear of on the news who managed to lose someone.
10. Don't be tempted to stray from the route. It makes it harder for rescuers to find you, and easier to get lost or stray into danger. And don't forget your Stop Bite midge repellent or your midge head net!

This is by no means a full guide, what I know is that not following these 10 simple basic tips has directly and frequently caused mountain rescue to be called out, accidents and deaths, especially with school or youth trips. I once managed, walking on my own (I was hungover, late and the group had gone without me), to get lost and onto a steep scree slope on Ben Lui in Scotland. I couldn't go up, and I couldn't go down, and I couldn't stay where I was as it took all my tired strength (I hadn't bothered with rests on the long walk out) just to stop from slipping down. I saw a good resting place directly across the scree, aimed up 30 degrees and ran like fuury, and just made it to the resting place. And that was with map, compass and a well-read Poucher's. Hmmmm!