Safety & Training News
- Ben Nevis Bearing
- Working At Heights Threat
- University Seminar Report
- Global Knowledge
- First Aid Course
- Avalanche Cards
BEN NEVIS – DANGEROUS BEARING
The Ben Nevis descent bearing which was provided on Page 105 of Trail February 2004 is WRONG – it would take you over the north face. The correct bearings are shown on the map (more details here).
Navigating safely from the summit of Ben Nevis in poor visibility can be difficult.
Always take a map and compass. Develop map and compass skills on less serious terrain before going onto the high tops in winter.
Work at Height Regulations
Abseiling off a climb will be against the law!
If the proposed Health & Safety regulations come into force it will be illegal for anyone who is working professionally to escape from a climb by abseiling off (because it is not possible to arrange a second rope). This is only one example of the absurdity of applying the regulations to mountaineering. At present there is no sign that the HSE will exempt mountaineering from the regulations.
This will not only affect professionals - there will be a spin off into recreational mountaineering.
The deadline for the consultation process is 2nd April. The document and response form can be found on the HSE website (there is a link on the MCofS site).
Don’t wait until it is too late and we are stuck with this legislation - make your views known now.
Scottish University Safety and Good Practice Seminar
November 2003
The weekend was a great success with 43 delegates attending from 10 Scottish university clubs. The first day dealt with a wide range of issues including:- Liability; Minimising risks and practical risk assessments; Qualifications; First aid; Care of equipment; Incident management; Duty of care; Scrambling and hazard awareness; Winter mountain safety. The second day took place out on the hills and crags and covered:- Training opportunities and experience; Hillwalking; Steep ground; Hazard awareness; Scrambling and Rock Climbing. The seminar could not have taken place without the generous support of the 22 volunteers who gave up their time to promote safety within the university clubs and encourage safe practice on the hills. The MCofS would like to congratulate all the club delegates for their huge enthusiasm and to thank all the volunteers for their invaluable assistance:- Matt Adcock; Nick Arding; Hannah Burrows-Smith; Andy Cloquet; Bill Crabb; Malcolm Creasey; Graeme Ettle; Nick Forwood; Fraser Fotheringham; Allen Fyffe; Nick Halls; Ralph Heath; James Hotchkis; John Lyall; Gordon McTweed; David Monteith; Fergus Murray; Fran Pothecary; Martin Searle; Bob Sharp; Alan Taylor; Nigel Williams.
Global Knowledge
By Peter Willimott
“Each of you take a carrot” began Roger. Twelve of us in Ryvoan bothy looked up in astonishment. We’d just had lunch so he’s either flipped completely or maybe it’s to do with improving night vision?
Roger Wild, the MCofS Mountain Safety Adviser was leading the ‘GPS Use and Misuse’ session at the 2003 Annual gathering. A classroom session in the morning at Glenmore Lodge had covered how the system works, the pros and cons, and an overview of computer software. (see Roger’s excellent article in Issue 13 of the Scottish Mountaineer http://www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk/nl/50c.html). Twenty waypoints were downloaded from computer to our receivers and we completed exercises in ‘button pushing’, keying in waypoints and stepping through the menu functions. An eye-opener for me was that GPS isn’t very accurate in the trees near the Lodge. Satellite signals can’t penetrate the tree foliage. We headed to Ryvoan for some practical exercises.
We began by each finding five waypoints in the heather within a quarter mile of the bothy. I hadn’t used a GPS before and was amazed at the accuracy. We retreated to the bothy for lunch and carrots. Roger explained we were to go out, drop the carrot, mark it’s position, and return to it later. I’d just finished eating mine and it would be a few hours before I could drop it, so I was given another! Our confidence was high as we returned to the bothy complete with carrots. We were brought down to earth by the next exercise, to enter the grid reference of ‘Meall a Bhuachaille’ the Corbett just to the west of Ryvoan. Those without a complete map didn’t notice the grid squares had changed from NJ to NH. The resultant bearing from the GPS was completely wrong. Our confidence was sufficiently dented to reinforce the value of map and compass.
Roger ended by giving the grid reference for a bottle of wine planted in the heather near the bothy. Nick Forwood had retrieved it before some had keyed in the reference! It illustrated just how ‘user unfriendly’ the GPS keyboard is; almost impossible when wearing gloves. A glass of wine in Ryvoan was an appropriate end to an enjoyable and instructive session. I’m sure the rest of the group will echo my thanks to Roger.
Roger will be running the GPS session again at this years Annual Gathering in June.
First Aid Course
For Hillwalkers and Climbers
2nd & 3rd October 2004
Based at Mill Cottage, Feshiebridge, the MCofS is running a two-day outdoor first aid course for members. The course will be run by Alan Crichton who is a qualified first aid instructor and director of “First Aid Matters”. The cost is £75 per person and this includes two nights self-catering accommodation at Mill Cottage. It does not include your food. You need a sleeping bag.
Accommodation is available at Mill Cottage on the nights of Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd October. The course starts at 9am on Saturday and finishes at 5pm on Sunday.
To book your place, please complete the form below and send it to the MCofS Office with a £75 cheque made payable to MCofS (further copies can be obtained from the MCofS Office). Places are issued on a “first come – first served” basis.
MCofS AVALEX Avalanche Cards
NEW 2004 UPDATE
Only £3.99
The MCofS has combined with Avalex to update these highly popular aide-memoirs.
The card is printed on tough plastic and will fit into a jacket or rucksack pocket.
The information provided includes:-
- Clues to instability/stability
- Rutschblock Test
- Safe travel techniques
- Search and Rescue
- Inclinometer to estimate slope angle
The card is available from the office by sending a stamped, addressed envelope (20p stamp) and a cheque for £3.99 payable to MCofS.
If you are a MCofS member you may purchase your card at the reduced price of £3.50. Please write your membership number on the back of your cheque.
Retailers please contact the office for details if you would like to stock the cards in your shop or organisation.