LETTERS: Dangers in the mountains
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr Brian Herd
Sir: Victoria Pybus ("The difference between hill-walking and mountaineering: ice", 16 December) extols the thrills and challenges of climbing the Scottish mountains in winter. There are dangers as well as delights in winter climbing. Conditions in the Scottish mountains in winter tend to be Arctic rather than Alpine. Small avalanches are common and can cause disastrous falls.
Many popular climbing areas are not covered by avalanche warning systems. One-third of the deaths due to avalanches last winter occurred in areas not covered by avalanche warning services.
Two years ago, my daughter was on an introductory snow and ice course, under instruction by a qualified member of the British Association of Mountain Guides. The leader took the party up a snow gully on Liatach, Torridon. A small wind-slab avalanche dislodged the climbers near the top of the climb and they fell back down the gully. My daughter Kathy died from the head injuries she received.
A fatal accident inquiry was held in Dingwall last March under Sheriff Principal Douglas Risk. Many matters of public interest were raised: standards of safety for parties under instruction, availability of avalanche warnings, co-ordination of mountain rescue efforts, etc. The Sheriff Principal's findings are awaited. It is not clear why the publication of his report has been delayed.
Meanwhile, others may be at greater risk than my daughter was, particularly in the current weather conditions. The inexperienced need good instruction, but there is no check on the standards of mountaineering schools. There is nothing to stop anyone setting up a mountaineering school. No qualifications are required, there is no system of registration and there is no external assessment of standards of instruction and safety.
I have had too much pleasure from the mountains to discourage climbers, but too much pain not to dread this winter's inevitable fresh toll of tragedy. I hope lessons may be learnt from my daughter's accident to help reduce the risks for other climbers.
Yours sincerely,
Brian Herd
Lorton, Cumbria
27 December
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments