Alan Begbie was team leader of Strathclyde Mountain Rescue for 13 years. He is still extremely active undertaking walking, climbing, ski mountaineering. He illustrated his talk with slides of snow conditions in Scotland, including rescue training, ice climbing and avalanche testing.

Alan reiterated several points of mountain safety:

Firstly do not undertake hill walking or climbing in severely adverse weather conditions.

Secondly, after stopping for lunch the winter weather has often deteriorated by the time of descent in winter as the sun drops. Keep on crampons and carry ice axe.

Thirdly, watch out for changes in weather. Stop for frequent drinks and look around rather than rushing on with head down.

Fourthly, consider wearing a helmet in winter. This is mainly to protect your head from a fall against rocks, rather than from falling scree.

Put pole away and take out ice axe as soon as required. Poles are excellent to prevent knee problems in later life.

If you are to be rescued by a helicopter, they now tend to be the large RAF transporters. They can blow a person off a ridge. Anchor yourself to the ground before approach of the helicopter.

Avalanches kill 6-8 people annually in Scotland. Be aware of where they are likely and in which melting conditions. Death occurs more from head injury than from suffocation.

Take a mobile phone on a trip. Do take GPS but do know how to navigate and use GPS only as a reference.

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