Walkers in Ross-shire are reminded of safety precautions to take when out on the hills in winter
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HILL-WALKING enthusiasts in Ross-shire and beyond have been urged to 'think winter' before venturing out.
The #thinkWINTER campaign has been created by mountaineering experts to prepare residents for the conditions on mountains across the Highlands during the colder months.
The campaign is full of relevant knowledge, providing people with information and advice on various activities sucha s hillwalking, mountain biking and skiing.
Mountaineering Scotland, Scottish Mountain Rescue, Glenmore Lodge, Mountain Training Scotland, Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland and Snowsport Scotland have joined forces to create the informative source.
Information, tips and advice will be shared on social media as well as through a series of talks and online events.
Stuart Younie, chief executive officer of Mountaineering Scotland, said: “Tackling the Scottish mountains in winter conditions can be a serious undertaking, and it requires careful planning as well as the additional skills and equipment beyond those needed for summer hill walking.
“With so much information now available online and on social media, we want to make sure people know how to access reliable and up to date information to help them keep safe and enjoy their winter adventures.
“We are delighted to be working together with a range of organisations, professional instructors, safety experts and mountain rescuers to ensure we are providing advice that is relevant, useful and, above all, trustworthy.”
Shaun Roberts, principal of Glenmore Lodge, Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre, said:
“We’re all eager to make the most of this winter after such a difficult year and for many of us this will be our first winter days out in a very long time. We’ll all need to be honest with ourselves around skills fade and to take time to remember to dial in our winter mountain sense, be that on a pair of skis or on foot. Access the Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecasts and blog posts, build back up slowly and let’s make this a winter full of good memories.”
The team want to remind people taking part in outdoor activities that if help is needed in an emergency, dial 999 and ask for Police then Mountain Rescue.
For more information, head to the website.
