An interesting comment was given by the leader of the llanberis Mountain Rescue team, on the television series "The Mountain " .
He was recounting the huge increase in callouts throughout the year, with nearly 260 call outs last year alone.
He said that they no longer go to the rescue of mountaineers, who after a lengthy mobile phone conversation, can actually help themselves to reach safety.
That comment surprised me, as i though the Mountain rescuers, went out to every single call for help they received.
It appears the majority of call outs, are for very minor emergencies, where the walkers are simply lost, or do not know where they are on a mountain, after a lengthy conversation with an experienced guide, they can usually find their own way to safety.
Real emergencies that are life threatening or where there are genuine casualties with serious life threatening injuries, thankfully make up only a small percentage of the annual callouts.
I just cannot imagine what the Glen Nevis team said to these mindless idiots, who ventured up Benn Nevis with such poor equipment.
Its a miracle they made the summit at all, and trainers in full Scottish Winter conditions, its beyond belief.
Regarding Reinhold Messner, my friend recently, went to the Messener museum, that is based in Reinholds castle, in Austria.
She is a keen walker herself, and found the museum and exhibits very interesting.
Unlike most of us here, according to the visitor book she bought, Reinhold was already a keen walker at the age of four, and had already climbed most of the serious Alpine mountains before he was 16.
Starting young is one thing, but comparing Reinhold Messner with just about any current mountaineer who is still alive, is a bit pointless.
I believe he is still the only one of two climber who has solo climbed Mt Everest.
Goran Kropp is the other successful soloist.
Three other climbers, who are unnamed tried, but died in their attempt.