Scout Dies In Scottish Avalanche
18-year-old was part of organised Scout trip to the eastern highlands.
Posted: 16 February 2010
by Jon
An 18-year-old Scout has died after being avalanched on Creag Meagaidh
in the Scottish Highlands.
Stephen Young from Kent was part of a party of adult Scouts on an
organised trip to the Cairngorm region and, according to news reports,
was leading the group, which included his parents at the time.
One report suggests that he triggered the avanched himself when a
cornice gave way and others suggest that an avalanche forecast of
'considerable' means that the scouts shouldn't have been on the
mountain.
Clearly until there's been a proper investigation, that's just speculation. And as far as the
avalanche forecast is concerned, it's quite possible for large areas of
the mountain to be quite safe even when slopes at certain aspects are
at risk of avalanching. The whole point of the forecasts is not to
discourage climbers and walkers from venturing out, but to enable them
to do so more safely.
It's extremely sad news and underlines the importance of being aware of
the latest weather and avalanche forecasts. There are several mountain-specific
weather forecasts out there along with the
Scottish Avalanche Information Service web site at www.sais.gov.uk
which carries daily updated forecasts for five major Scottish winter
climbing areas including Creag Meagaidh.
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