Hello
A few background details. Kinder Scout in the Peak District is my back yard. In the past 10yrs I’ve crossed it in all conditions from heat wave to blizzard without a problem. It has taught me the value of good gear, the limits of my personal fitness and endurance, and good planning.
Gear at present: - Paramo Alta 2 jacket (4yrs. Old regularly cleaned and proofed). Berghaus Deluge over trousers, Zamberlan Munro or VIOZ GT boots and Deuter 35l rucksack.
In the sack I carry a Storm Shelter 2, Down gilet, spare clothing, food, lights and hand warmer.
During the Christmas holidays my wife and I took a short break holiday at Appleby in Westmorland with the intention of doing a walk up into the Howgill Fells.
The forecast for the day was for rain with strong winds easing by late afternoon with temperatures in the low single figures.
Our 10 mile route from Dufton was to take us across Dufton Pike and up to Great Rundale Tarn, then down Maize Beck to the Pennine Way foot bridge following the trail back to Dufton via High Cup Nick, about the limit of our endurance.
We started, as predicted, in light rain which by the time we reached the tarn had become heavier with the strong winds and visibility of between 60 – 150 yds. As we progressed down Maize Beck the conditions worsened with heavier then torrential rain which turned first to sleet then snow with increased wind strength. There is no real path down the beck and the meandering stream has created a continual series of interlocking spurs which makes it difficult to keep one side only ( the spurs create a steep bank on corresponding sides at each turn). With water levels rising it eventually became impossible to cross from one side to the other, and progress became ever more difficult and tiring. We did however complete the walk although we never even caught a glimpse of the spectacular High Cup Nick.
The problem and reason for this article was the inability, had we needed it, to use any of the safety / survival gear that we had with us. I had started the day without gloves, by the time I needed them It would have been extremely difficult to open the sack in the torrential rain to get them and impossible to put them on with wet, cold hands. The result of this was that later, in the pub, my hands became very swollen for a few hours. Had we lost our way the chances of deploying and using the storm shelter were minimal as you are required to sit inside it and on a rain sodden moor this just would not have been feasible. Also with the amount of water around it is doubtful that the down gilets would have performed for long.
What I am asking for is any help or advice you can give in dealing with these conditions. Dry and cold no problem. Extreme rain / wind / cold how do you remain warm and dry. Also, by the time we had finished, my wife was soaked down the front and myself down the back and I believe we would have been in big trouble if we had needed to stay on the moor overnight.
Blimey, candid, open and honest
Respect
If I may add a couple of pointers which hopefully clarify
midweekmountains comments, its useful to understand when the situation is beginning to degrade in order to act before they go horribly wrong. May I suggest that its useful to have emergency 'get off the mountain' routes pre-planned so you bang out when you recognise things(weather, people, equipment) are beginning to degrade. A kayaker once said to me that a good pointer for identifying the onset of hyperthermia is being unable to get you thumb and little finger to make contact. May I also suggest you have emergency food on you body; to keep it warm; for when you need it.
Every now and then when I experience something exhilarating I write it down in order to reflect and learn and then when I intend to do something with increased risk again I revisit the learning, in this way I try to retain the learning. May I suggest you don't rush your learning experience but take a bit of time to reflect and then consolidate. This is a reflection of mine.
ACTIVITY/SITUATION: Refection – Cairngorm
DATE: 11 Dec 10
Analysis Description
Significant 1. Extremely high winds (55mpg average gusts with 66+ extreme gusts), extremely cold and poor visibility on tops. Late afternoon winds and visibility were particularly testing. Severe winds had been forecast.
2. 3 walkers in group, 2 were ML(S); one had previously walked Cairn Gorm. The group was led through consensus although I broke the trail throughout. I handed over navigation to Cairn Gorm peer when Recta compass reacted excessively slowly due to low temperature. Cairn Gorm peer warned of compass error experience on a previous walk and used a GPS to check navigation. Cairn Gorm peer had a habit of over examination of the map and inadvertently slowed the pace. Toward the later part of the day I forced the pace as time to darkness was rapidly approaching. Other experienced ML(S) was generally slow; prior to walk he had indicated that he was not hill fit as could be. He was observed weakening toward end of the day in the severest conditions. He was provided with walking poles for support by Cairn Gorm peer. During the day it was observed that his intake of energy was not commensurate with the energy demands of the walk. Food was cold. As the severity of winds increased toward the end of the day it crossed my mind and my Cairn Gorm peers mind that we might have had to use the Escape Route to descend the mountain, in the event winds dropped considerably as we descended. This was the first occasion the 3 walkers had operated together, team dynamics were positive. It was noticeable that weakening peer did not complain at any point, he was quite prepared to be led.
3. Ice axe and crampons were used. Ice axe was used as an anchor during extremely high gusts.
4. An invigorating walk that pushed boundaries toward xxx assessment.
Conclusions/Learning Points
1. Know your ground and therein appreciate that walks in Scotland are far more remote which presents particular hazards including planning for Escape Routes which can be much longer than planned routes.
2. It is easy to overestimate individual abilities based on qualifications and previous experience, in this case the fitness of a peer.
3. Energy
a. Adequate and constant energy intake is imperative on severe walks.
b. Food needs to be easily at hand.
4. Navigation:
a. Be aware of Recta compasses on cold walks
b. Be aware that compasses are influenced by geology in Scotland.
c. GPS can be a useful aid to check navigation.
5. Ensure personalities within group are understood and managed.
6. Severe conditions emphasise the need for correct equipment.
7. This was an excellent experiential learning walk with qualified and experienced peers despite the shortfalls mentioned. With an inexperienced group this walk would represent a very high risk activity.
Action Plan 1.
Continue to experience walking in a variety of regions.
2. Establish and allow for group fitness with regard to severity of walk.
3. Energy:
a. Ensure the group has an adequate and regular energy intake.
b. Keep energy at hand.
4. Navigation:
a. Don’t use Recta compasses in cold conditions.
b. Determine areas of Scotland where compasses are influenced by geology in Scotland.
c. Be prepared to carry a GPS as an aid to check navigation where geology negatively influences a compass.
5. Observe individuals and groups closely to determine team dynamics in readiness for severe conditions.
6. Add ice axe and crampons to winter list.
7. Only undertake testing walks such as this with experienced peers.
