Outdoor enthusiasts urged to prepare for harsh winter

22nd December 2013

With the harsh winter looming, outdoor enthusiasts are being urged to stay safe on the hills, slopes and mountains of Scotland.

Sport Minister Shona Robison made the call as she met winter safety instructors at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho.

Scottish Government funding of 1.5 million this year is helping ensure safety on the hills Each year in Scotland there are around 7.2 million mountaineering or hill walking trips.

Ms Robison said:�Scotland's hills and mountains attract visitors from around the world but at this time of year they can be treacherous with fast changing conditions. The vast majority of walkers have safe and enjoyable trips, but unfortunately lives are all too easily lost.

�Before heading out on the hills, make sure you have the right equipment. Detailed safety advice is available on the Mountaineering Council for Scotland website

�Technology can be useful, but don�t rely on it to navigate for you. Having a map and compass and the knowledge of how to use them is the best way to stay on course. The weather can change extremely quickly, so check localised weather information, mountain information of the sportscotland avalanche information service.

�Take the opportunity to get involved in local training courses and take advice from seasoned professionals. Above all, know your limits. Routes that are easy in summer will be more physically demanding and testing in winter.�

Mark Diggins from the Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service said:�The fast changing weather, with its snowfall, avalanche hazard, strong winds, and poor visibility requires us to be much more prepared when going into the mountains in the winter time.

�Therefore the need to get important information well in advance helps us to plan our trips, enabling mountain goers the flexibility to decide on where to go and what to do.

�Good information on the avalanche hazard situation can be obtained from the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service website at www.sais.gov.uk�.

In 2013-14 the Scottish Government is providing the following funding to help ensure the safety of mountain users:

�317,000 support to Mountain rescue teams throughout Scotland

�1,222,300 through sportscotland consisting of:
�866,000 in Glenmore Lodge,
�141,000 in the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS)
�215,300 in the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (including �42,300 for the Mountain Weather Information Service)
On top of this the Scottish Government also covers the annual cost of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland�s licence (�2,420).

In 2012-13 the Scottish Government provided extra funding of �51,000 for specialist stretchers for use on the mountains � which are unique to Scotland, and designed and built in Glencoe by Hamish McInness, a well-known member of the mountaineering community.

Brief Safety Tips

Check the weather forecast before setting off and remember that conditions can change quickly. Localised forecasts are available on the Mountain Weather Information Service and the sportscotland Avalanche Information Service via the Mountaineering Council of Scotland website
Make sure you know your limits and don�t tackle anything that is too ambitious � winter in Scotland�s mountains can be challenging and a route that at any other time of the year is easy, can take longer and be more physically demanding.
Whether going for a relaxing walk or for a challenging climb, be properly equipped and ready to cope with changing ground and weather conditions.
Winter conditions can be serious so carry an ice axe and crampons, know how to use them and practice on less serious terrain.
Don�t rely on electronic navigation devices.

Tell someone where you are going, what your route is and how long you expect to be on the hill.

Consider joining a hill walking or mountaineering club where advice and access to experience and knowledge is available

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