The path, clearly visible on the left flank of the gully, above Clachaig InnThese accidents are just 2 of several fatalities that have occurred on this area of the glen over the last 25 years that we've been at Clachaig. They hit hard, as does any fatal accident in the mountains, but their proximity to and inevitable involvement of the inn perhaps adds to this.
But have these accidents prompted a debate on signs on Scotland's mountains. The Herald has led with a column suggesting this as a necessity. Whilst another outdoor web site, Grough, has responded to this with a wider point of view?
Do you have an opinion?
Personally, I don't think signs are the answer. The horrors of the Clachaig Gully path are well documented. Many paths on our mountains have their inherent dangers, and you can't sign them all. But for the descent off the end of the ridge you'd be well advised to take an alternative descent route.
2 comments:
Hi Ed
Good blog. I watched the first rescue from my front room, not realising the poor bugger had died.
I think that it is entirely your own responsibility to ensure your safety in the mountains and that it's up to the individual to evaluate their skills versus the risks and make the decition on what to do. If your skills and experience don't match the risks, do something else.
I don't think signs on the hill are the way to go but I do see people all the time who underestimate the risks and/or overestimate their skills. In fact - you've rescued one of my guests, and I've had phone calls from others stuck in the hills and asking me to talk them down (not possible!).
I'll be putting up a couple of signs around the site here giving people more information and pointing out the risks in the hills.
Cheers
Keith
Asking guests to leave a route card, and to ensure that they report back when they're down again, would be a real bonus!
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