Should the Mountains be closed to hillwalkers ....?

[Tony*T3]

During these periods of severe weather, which has been well forecast, do you not think the mountains such as Snowdon and the various Scottish ranges should not be closed to 'hill walkers'?

There have been many deaths in the last few weeks, three on Snowdon alone this weekend. Added to that many other injuries and rescues.

Now I know many people will say that to close these routes would be 'nanny state', but there is plenty of president for this. In Europe many passes are closed to walkers during winter.

The cost of these rescues, and the risk that the largely volunteer rescue force put themselves at, should surely count for something? The weather has been severe, yet many, even well equiped and professional climbers/walkers have ignored the advice not to climb and yet many have needed rescuing.

So why dont they close the most severe route and mountains when people just choose to ignore the advise?

[alfaman]

Well for a start we have a freedom to walk pretty much wherever we want in the UK - I wouldnt want that restricting.

I have about 30 years hill walking / climbing experience. For every numpty requiring a rescue there will be thousands who don't. (One option might be to require insurance - if you dont have it you would pay for a rescue )

Similarly for every idiot driver who has a crash / gets stuck in snow because they dont take "advice" - there are thousands who dont have a problem.

Should we close all the roads as well for similar reasons? - the number of hill walkers needing a rescue will be minimal when compared to the number of car accidents every week.

note : I dont think the roads should be shut - just making a point

[deckster]

The question's not worth answering.

Have you ever been in the hills? Do you have the slightest idea what you are talking about?

[eharding]

deckster said:

The question's not worth answering.

Have you ever been in the hills? Do you have the slightest idea what you are talking about?

Tony*T3 said:

but there is plenty of president for this.

Not a Scooby Doo of an idea of what he's gibbering about, I'd say.

[BoxxerUCI]

Hope not.

Off to Snowdon tomorrow morning!

[NiceCupOfTea]

No. Next.

[ian in lancs]

Absolutely not! We've just spent 3 days in and around the Langdales often above the snow line and it was fantastic. Cold, very cold but we were properly clothed, equipped and knew what we were doing. I probably got some of my best photo's - fantastic lighting, snow covered fells and blue sky.

[funk odyssey]

people manage to get injured, stranded and killed to death in nice summer conditions so perhaps we should ban everything at any time??

Tony*T3 said:

During these periods of severe weather, which has been well forecast, do you not think the mountains such as Snowdon and the various Scottish ranges should not be closed to 'hill walkers'?

There have been many deaths in the last few weeks, three on Snowdon alone this weekend. Added to that many other injuries and rescues.

Now I know many people will say that to close these routes would be 'nanny state', but there is plenty of president for this. In Europe many passes are closed to walkers during winter.

The cost of these rescues, and the risk that the largely volunteer rescue force put themselves at, should surely count for something? The weather has been severe, yet many, even well equiped and professional climbers/walkers have ignored the advice not to climb and yet many have needed rescuing.

So why dont they close the most severe route and mountains when people just choose to ignore the advise?

[odyssey2200]

I think that people should be allowed to go where they want.

BUT

When severe weather has been well forecast should they expect Mountain Rescue to risk their necks to save people?

Perhaps those who get into trouble in such circs or get into trouble through stupidity or being totally ill prepared or equiped should be charged for the rescue costs?

[Chris_w666]

Of course not. Off to play in the hills tomorrow and had 2 good days out last week.

Maybe people should be less hysterical and more sensible, most people that do lots of mountain walking prefer winter.

[funk odyssey]

yes but what about any hazardous activity?

should people wear a suit of armour on a motorbike?
helmet in a car?
kneepads when walking?

where do we draw the line?

odyssey2200 said:

I think that people should be allowed to go where they want.

BUT

When severe weather has been well forecast should they expect Mountain Rescue to risk their necks to save people?

Perhaps those who get into trouble in such circs or get into trouble through stupidity or being totally ill prepared or equiped should be charged for the rescue costs?

[Swilly]

How would you close Snowden ?!

Does it have a door with a lock ?!

[voyds9]

25% of deaths on mountains occur when there is no wind, rain, snow etc.

[ewenm]

Should the roads be closed in winter weather too? After all lots of accidents, costs and risks to emergency services, etc, etc.

Is that any more ridiculous?

[Mars]

No. Too many restrictions on our freedoms already. Worries me that we've got to the state where we'd consider even asking the question.

[funk odyssey]

Tony*T3 said:

During these periods of severe weather, which has been well forecast, do you not think the mountains such as Snowdon and the various Scottish ranges should not be closed to 'hill walkers'?

There have been many deaths in the last few weeks, three on Snowdon alone this weekend. Added to that many other injuries and rescues.

Now I know many people will say that to close these routes would be 'nanny state', but there is plenty of president for this. In Europe many passes are closed to walkers during winter.

The cost of these rescues, and the risk that the largely volunteer rescue force put themselves at, should surely count for something? The weather has been severe, yet many, even well equiped and professional climbers/walkers have ignored the advice not to climb and yet many have needed rescuing.

So why dont they close the most severe route and mountains when people just choose to ignore the advise?

pretty hazardous to misuse words in here!

[odyssey2200]

voyds9 said:

25% of deaths on mountains occur when there is no wind, rain, snow etc.

so 75% of deaths on mountains occur when there is wind, rain, snow etc!

[jessica]

alfaman said:

Well for a start we have a freedom to walk pretty much wherever we want in the UK - I wouldnt want that restricting.

I have about 30 years hill walking / climbing experience. For every numpty requiring a rescue there will be thousands who don't. (One option might be to require insurance - if you dont have it you would pay for a rescue )

Similarly for every idiot driver who has a crash / gets stuck in snow because they dont take "advice" - there are thousands who dont have a problem.

Should we close all the roads as well for similar reasons? - the number of hill walkers needing a rescue will be minimal when compared to the number of car accidents every week.

note : I dont think the roads should be shut - just making a point

quite..........lets close fast roads because those without experience have accidents.
hence why the speed limit is so low.............
for the minority that cannot drive...........

Edited by jessica on Saturday 7th February 22:11

[voyds9]

odyssey2200 said:

voyds9 said:

25% of deaths on mountains occur when there is no wind, rain, snow etc.

so 75% of deaths on mountains occur when there is wind, rain, snow etc!

Yes well done

[odyssey2200]

jessica said:

alfaman said:

Well for a start we have a freedom to walk pretty much wherever we want in the UK - I wouldnt want that restricting.

I have about 30 years hill walking / climbing experience. For every numpty requiring a rescue there will be thousands who don't. (One option might be to require insurance - if you dont have it you would pay for a rescue )

Similarly for every idiot driver who has a crash / gets stuck in snow because they dont take "advice" - there are thousands who dont have a problem.

Should we close all the roads as well for similar reasons? - the number of hill walkers needing a rescue will be minimal when compared to the number of car accidents every week.

note : I dont think the roads should be shut - just making a point

quite..........lets close fast roads cost those without experience have accidents.
hence why the speed limit is so low.............
for the minority that cannot drive...........

Driving a car to get to work etc having passed a mandatory test is a bit different to deciding, for no real reason to walk up a mountain in severe weather, often without any training, experiance, equipment etc