Police Slam Tracksuit And Trainers Man On Ben

What a xomplete tit. Hope he had a huge phone bill at the end of it all!

I wonder if he had a perm and was wearing a shiny shellsuit?

Maybe the poor chap didn't know any better.

If he was so in-experienced he wouldn't have known how much danger he was in.

This is a crap story (the original BBC piece, not OM's reporting thereof).

Firstly, it's actually the the local MR leader, not the police, who makes the comments in the article. Secondly, the fact that the guy was wearing tracksuit and trainers has nothing whatsoever to do with his problem - he was lost because he didn't have navigational equipment and knowledge, not because he was incorrectly dressed. Thirdly, all the MR team did was take the guy's phone call and talk him down. They didn't even have to leave their office. Talk about whinging.

The lesson we more experienced outdoors types draw from this tale is that you should plan your route and take navigational aids with you. But to a neophyte, the inference would be that you're somehow safer if you're not wearing tracksuit and trainers. Which of course is nonsense.

This article is a fine example of bad journalism. A non-story, inaccurately titled, with an inappropriate and non-constructive analysis and conclusion.

Is it really surprising that the inexperienced remain ignorant and make dangerous mistakes when 'authoritative' sources such as the BBC present news in such a sensationalist and unhelpful manner?

You've got to ask where his motivation for the adventure came from? Where did he get the idea?

Liverpudlians, eh?

You mean scousers don't you, Dan!

He was looking for something to nick








Thank god you dont know where I live!

But wasn't he actually from Essex???

was just thinking that


ah well...thats essexs for ya

so it's not just southern blonde females who are thick, seriously though, some folks just won't be told, even if they read notices, see weather forecasts etc, they still go out and act the tw@t, and I've seen folks in full winter gear who were definately NOT wearing trainers etc ignoring avalanche warnings etc, so it's not just novices who have the monopoly on stupidity!

I regularly take to the hills in tracksuit & trainers, Walsh's to be precise & often in foul conditions. What's all the fuss about gear? It's not the gear that's caused the problem.
As for the BBC & tabloids, selective reporting as usual.

now then now then!

just wanted to say that.

I was going to post this earlier but didn't want to sound like I was having a go at someone, I'll say it now though cos I think it's a valid point:

I'm sure I'd have died several times from exposure & slips before now if I'd gone walking in trackies & trainers

Errrr if you want to be pedantic, many people would look at Ronnies and dismiss them as 'trackies'.
But they are legitimate mountain gear in the right weather. Maybe the guy was wearing them with some Five Tens or Walshes or whatever.....

He suddenly sounds more stylish!

Any way isn't experience an important factor in safety...? any way what does the report consider to be tracsuit and Trainers...? are we talking "fashion" trainers and Kappa shell suits? or some one wearing ronhills or eqiv and a pair of "approach" shoes that are considered by many people to be "fancy" trainers?
<Rant off/>

Great minds etc Dave!!!!

Indeed, Dave and Jeannie. I managed two ascents of the Ben recently (and not by the tourist route) in running tights and trainers, which in my judgement were the most appropriate clothes for the prevailing conditions. I was of course carrying map, compass, spare fleece, etc, because what you're carrying is just as important as what you're wearing, if not more so.

And Dave M, not sure who your comment about 'southern blonde females'is aimed at, but it's way off the mark, not to mention rude.

Develop a sense of humour, Joan.

When I said 'trackies', I just meant nylon-tastic shell suits which offers no protection against the environment, not just the trousers! As I said, if I'd always gone walking in those I'm sure I would have died of exposure before now, such as on the night where I was immobilised on Yr Garn after I dislocating my kneecap.

The BBC article is fine and well written. The only mistake is saying 'police' not 'MRT leader' in the first line. Big deal! The actual comments are clearly ascribed to the MRT leader when they appear later in the article.

Of course it's not nonsense to infer that you're somehow safer if you're not wearing tracksuit and trainers!

I think the article the article clearly means that the guy was wearing street clothes, not Ronhills and Walshes or whatever. In the prevailing conditions - low cloud and low temperatures, as mentioned at the foot of the article - he would have quickly died of hypothermia had he been forced to spend the night out because he couldn't find his way down. A properly equipped walker would've been able to spend the night out and/or spend more time finding his way down.

To quote the MRT leader directly from the article:

"Despite it being summer, hillwalkers should be aware of the varying weather conditions at height.

"People taking to the hills should certainly have the proper footwear and clothes.

==>"If you wear silly gear and things go wrong, as in this case, chances of survival are reduced.<==

"We also have someone here who did not leave enough time to complete the walk in daylight."

The article was perfectly worth-while as although it was a minor incident - OVMRO talk people down all the time - it occuring on the highest mountain in the UK makes it more news-worthy to the masses. It also serves as a deterrent to people doing daft things, such as setting out in tracksuit at 6pm!

I'd also hope (though I know they aren't) that people are capable of evaluating different infornation sources on a case-by-case basis, and not just thinking that because it's from the BBC or The Times or whatever it's always correct. Of course, if that were the case, no-one would be unhappy over the MMR!