 What do you folks reckon about this then ...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-16431970
We're just discussing it over on another forum, the general consensus is that he was foolish not to be better equipped for the conditions. I've been up Ben Ledi a number of times and for a morning or afternoon jaunt I doubt I'd have carried much more than him. Ledi is close to a main road and it's only a couple of hours if that to the summit, it can give a false sense of security when civilisation is in sight.
For a winter walk I include a warm layer for when I stop, probably a stove or hot drink, but not much else if I'm honest. In an area I've visited many times I doubt I'd take a map and compass 100% of the time either, naughty but accurate.
Just wondered what your thoughts were, was the guy being complacent or was he just unlucky?
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| Edited: 06/01/12 18:48 |
 I'm minded to side with the 'senior police officer'
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lets see Its winter, short day length, cold conditions, bad weather forcast, going solo..with little gear..if caught out what will be the consequences? vs Its summer, long day length, reasonable forecast, going solo with little gear...if caught out what will be the consequences? I think the senior police officer is being quite restrained, reasonable even in his description.
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 I tend to veer towards the police officer in so far that the guy should have been "better" equipped.
But it's always hidden behind "properly equipped" which means just what? It's a nonsense statement.
On the other side there's a nice advert to think about things a bit more.
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 "This man had been complacent and took little notice of the approaching conditions. Anyone who climbs the hills should always be prepared and pay close attention to the weather forecasts and the weather conditions," Sounds fair enough. Ben Ledi, being so close to the Central Belt, tends to be regarded as a bit of a "Sunday" hill. Fact is, it's not a kick in the arse off Munro height. I can well understand the Chief Inspector being a wee bit vexed.
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If he really has climbed the hill numerous times, you wonder what he learnt in all that. From the ínfo provided, he'd seem to be extremely unwise to have done what he did, which led to many people spending much time looking for him. How many man-hours? To go out in what is just about the shortest day, in winter, so ill-equipped, is just plain stoopid. Whiteouts and thick fog can occur any time and completely disorientate you, so why on earth didn't he at least take a compass? Not that heavy! Of course, there may be another side to it...
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 "He had climbed the mountain numerous times before and had decided to "travel light", according to police." I've said it all along. No good will come of this Jessiehiking craze. 
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Do you think he acted correctly when he got into the situation anyway? Even if he had been carrying all the "essential" gear, is there anything he could have done differently?
He knew when it was time to seek shelter, he stayed in a position where he could be found and was known, and he contacted somebody to let them know what was happening.
I'm not sure what he had to keep himself warm in his snow hole, but how many folk think to pack a sleeping bag when they head out for a day walk?
I'd like to hear his account of what went on but I doubt it'll come to light anytime soon, he'll be busy raising some funds for the local MRT hopefully.
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| Edited: 07/01/12 02:07 |
'Dug a snowhole before calling for help'. I would have called for help first, in which case maybe by the time I had dug the hole help would be there.
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 Forming judgements based on brief media reports like these is always a bit dubious imo - there's so little detail of the incident and it often lacks accuracy. For example BBC report - "The man dug a snow hole for shelter at the summit of Ben Ledi, Callander, before calling for help." (note, the reporter's words, not a quote from the police officer) On Grough - "When he reached the summit he was stuck in whiteout conditions and managed to text his wife for help... ...Contact was made with the the man, who had dug a snow hole to shelter, regularly by phone and text." (All apparently quotes direct from the officer) So which did he do first - call for help or dig a snowhole? Also, no spare clothes - but was he dressed head to toe in Buffalo? Don't know. Did he have a snow shovel with him? Don't know. So, was he complacent or unlucky.... I really don't know.
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 When the 'media' says he was travelling 'lightly', was he out for a run? I must admit to going for a winter run over Munros in the past, wearing shorts and a T-shirt.
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Easy to codemn based on alarmist media reports - hence my caveat above. But either way, to head out onto a good-sized mountain in winter with what he appears to have had was pretty risky. I'm sure many have done similar things and got away with it as the conditions favoured them. But when they turn, going so lightly equipped (apparently) puts a very different light on things. It'll be interesting to hear more - from the other side?
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 I too am becoming wary of taking brief press reports at face value. That said, I'd have thought a map and compass was pretty much de rigueur on a mountain at any time of year?
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I too am becoming wary of taking brief press reports at face value. That said, I'd have thought a map and compass was pretty much de rigueur on a mountain at any time of year? Whether it would be much use in full whiteout conditions is another matter.
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 It'll be interesting to hear more - from the other side? From the other side? I thought he survived 
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From the other side? I thought he survived 
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It'll be interesting to hear more - from the other side? From the other side? I thought he survived
But if he's really complacent he'll do it again!
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Mrs N - very good! I do hope we hear more. I wonder how he feels about the matter now. Pretty humiliating to be caught out like this. As someone wrote above, a hefty donation to MRT might help him feel better?
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