NEWS ROUND OCTOBER > DECEMBER
DECEMBER: SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE LAUNCHES #THINKWINTER At the end of September 2020, Scottish Mountain Rescue noted a significant increase in the number of people accessing the outdoors across Scotland, with mountain rescue teams 36% busier than the previous year. To protect the teams and, hopefully, limit the number of call-outs over the winter months, they have joined forces again with Mountaineering Scotland, Mountain Training, Glenmore Lodge, Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland and Snowsports Scotland, to launch the campaign. They are focusing on the following key messages: • Check the mountain weather forecast – pay particular attention to wind speed temperature and cloud cover • Take warm layers, waterproof clothing, hat, gloves and boots with good grip plus a head torch with spare batteries • Pack plenty of food and drink to keep you going – plus some extra just in case • Build up your navigation skills and confidence with shorter, smaller days before taking on bigger hills and longer days • Be prepared to turn back if the weather or conditions change • Let someone know where you are going, what time you will be back and what to do if you don’t return when expected • If you are injured or lost and can’t get off the hill, call 999 and ask for Police and then Mountain Rescue. The campaign was launched in mid-December to coincide with the daily reports provided by the Scottish Avalanche Information Service and will run until the end of March, each week focusing on a particular message. ‘We plan to reach more people this year,’ said a spokesperson for Scottish MR, ‘not only those who are used to heading out into the hills and mountains, but also people who may have discovered a new passion for the outdoors. This is being helped by our retail partners and suppliers who have agreed to share these key messages with their own customers’. The hope is that, by playing a part in the #ThinkWINTER campaign, anyone accessing the Scottish hills will remain safe, and enjoy it to the full, without putting themselves and others at risk.
Left and above: Simon and Spot © CVSRT.
Calder Valley team has welcomed a cute new trainee with six-month-old Spot, who joins handler, Simon Adams, to begin the long journey towards operational search dog. Good luck Spot! NOVEMBER: PUPPY ALERT NEW TRAINEE AT CALDER VALLEY
Congrats to Geraint Thomas, who was awarded the BEM in the delayed Queen’s Birthday OCTOBER: BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL FOR WESTERN BEACONS TEAM MEMBER
Honours, for ‘service to the Samaritans, to mountain rescue and to disadvantaged people in South West Wales’.
Top infographic and image below: © Scottish Mountain Rescue.
Chris stood down after seven and a half years in the post. He is succeeded by Phil Britton. NOVEMBER: CHRIS DUNN STANDS DOWN AFTER SEVEN YEARS AS ABERDYFI TEAM LEADER
Left: Phil Britton (left) with Chris Dunn © Aberdyfi SRT.
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MOUNTAIN RESCUE MAGAZINE WINTER 2021
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