Scottish Mountain Rescue in safety warning to Highland hikers amid rise in rescue incidents across Scotland
Mountain rescuers have urged hikers to ensure they are properly prepared - after a rise in the number of incidents.
Scottish Mountain Rescue said the increase had come across Scotland as a whole, and urged people to take care when venturing into the outdoors. especially now that we are heading into the colder and darker months of autumn and winter.
A spokesperson for the organisation said: "Over recent months there has been an increase in the number of mountain incidents across Scotland, and now autumn is in full swing we’d like to remind people venturing into the hills to check your kit to ensure you are fully prepared.
"Ensure you have suitable clothing for any weather conditions you may encounter and have within your rucksack a spare warm layer (jacket, fleece), spare gloves, hat and extra food.
"In addition to that it is important to have a map for the area you are walking in, a compass (know how to use it) and a torch and spare batteries. We have moved into autumn and the evenings are getting darker and the temperature is dropping.
"We recommend that you don’t use a mobile phone as your only navigation aid as they have their limitations, if you do get into difficulty try and keep as much charge in your phone battery as you can, (in the cold battery life is very short).
"Remember, if you do require assistance, phone 999 and ask for Police then Mountain Rescue, try and stay calm and give as much information to the operator as you can (what the emergency is, where you are, size of party, telephone numbers in your party, any known medical issues etc), bear in mind however that given the remoteness of some of the areas, mobile phone signal can be very poor and it can take a number of hours for the rescue team to get to you.
"Leaving a route card of your intended journey with family or a friend can assist our Mountain Rescue teams too.
"With a bit of forward planning, looking at weather forecasts, thinking about your route and your skills will enable you to have an enjoyable day out in the wonderful mountain environment we have in Scotland."
