Comments on: Promise of winter http://www.cameronmcneish.co.uk/2008/01/promise-of-winter-3/ The Wilderness World of Cameron McNeish Thu, 17 May 2012 20:33:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: cameron http://www.cameronmcneish.co.uk/2008/01/promise-of-winter-3/#comment-568 cameron Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:02:50 +0000 http://www.cameronmcneish.co.uk/blogs/193#comment-568 Steven, Thank goodness you survived! The outcome could have been so very different, but I bet you've learned some valuable lessons. I remember, many years ago, when I was avalanched. We all survived but after that experience I read up on everything I could find about avalanches and I have always been avalanche conscious since, so sometimes these near-accidents can be a blessing in disguise. It's important to remember too that we all make mistakes from time to time, so learn from the experience, don't put yourself down too much and continue to enjoy the hills in all seasons. Steven,
Thank goodness you survived! The outcome could have been so very different, but I bet you’ve learned some valuable lessons. I remember, many years ago, when I was avalanched. We all survived but after that experience I read up on everything I could find about avalanches and I have always been avalanche conscious since, so sometimes these near-accidents can be a blessing in disguise. It’s important to remember too that we all make mistakes from time to time, so learn from the experience, don’t put yourself down too much and continue to enjoy the hills in all seasons.

]]> By: Steven Bassindale http://www.cameronmcneish.co.uk/2008/01/promise-of-winter-3/#comment-569 Steven Bassindale Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:05:24 +0000 http://www.cameronmcneish.co.uk/blogs/193#comment-569 Cameron, My friend and i gained a VALUABLE LESSON yesterday about winter walking in Scotland. We have completed many Munro's in summer from the inn pinn to the Laitach and are fairly confident of our abilities. However, yesterday we ventured onto Ben Klibreck. This would be a fairly easy day in summer, but yesterday winter transformed it into a an Artic hell. We were equiped with what we thought would be all the required gear -Gortex jackets / trousers, hats, gloves, poles etc...As we found on our descent, we were missing a vital piece of equipment - Crampons! During our hurried descent from the blizzard ravaged summit ( we made another error in that we didn't take a compass bearing from the summit and started to descend slightly farther to the north than we should have, which was much steeper than the ascent route). Anyway as we attempted to 'glassade' down the hardpacked snow/ice my friend fell and slipped at least 200 feet down the slope somehow managing to halt his descent by crashing into and over several ock outcrops!! I then realised how dangerous the sitution was and somehow managed to descend to join my friend by using my poles as 'axes' and banging my boots into the ice to gain footholds. This was unbelievably exhausting and i felt myself begining to cramp up on several occasions. Needles to say we managed to descend safely, coming off to the North of Loch na Glas-choille, where we stopped to reflect on our good fortune and to have som well earned late lunch!! I wonder how many other people are as 'STUPID' as we were to venture out onto a snow covered mountain without crampons and ice axes. We even left our phones in the car!! We realise that the outcome could have been very serious indeed. On a lighter note i would like to say how much i enjoyed reading your comments on the mountains of Torridon - i totally agree. Kind Regards Cameron,

My friend and i gained a VALUABLE LESSON yesterday about winter walking in Scotland.

We have completed many Munro’s in summer from the inn pinn to the Laitach and are fairly confident of our abilities. However, yesterday we ventured onto Ben Klibreck. This would be a fairly easy day in summer, but yesterday winter transformed it into a an Artic hell. We were equiped with what we thought would be all the required gear -Gortex jackets / trousers, hats, gloves, poles etc…As we found on our descent, we were missing a vital piece of equipment - Crampons! During our hurried descent from the blizzard ravaged summit ( we made another error in that we didn’t take a compass bearing from the summit and started to descend slightly farther to the north than we should have, which was much steeper than the ascent route). Anyway as we attempted to ‘glassade’ down the hardpacked snow/ice my friend fell and slipped at least 200 feet down the slope somehow managing to halt his descent by crashing into and over several ock outcrops!! I then realised how dangerous the sitution was and somehow managed to descend to join my friend by using my poles as ‘axes’ and banging my boots into the ice to gain footholds. This was unbelievably exhausting and i felt myself begining to cramp up on several occasions. Needles to say we managed to descend safely, coming off to the North of Loch na Glas-choille, where we stopped to reflect on our good fortune and to have som well earned late lunch!!

I wonder how many other people are as ‘STUPID’ as we were to venture out onto a snow covered mountain without crampons and ice axes. We even left our phones in the car!! We realise that the outcome could have been very serious indeed.

On a lighter note i would like to say how much i enjoyed reading your comments on the mountains of Torridon - i totally agree.

Kind Regards

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