More idiots..

[JohnC6]

In the Storm Ciara thread there were posts highlighting the stupidity of a surfer which involved the crew of the local RNLI almost capsizing in the rescue.

Mountains also have their idiots.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-51447226

 

[F1.2]

This type of stupidity makes my blood boil , They should be made to cover at least the cost of the rescue , Why on earth do they risk other peoples lives , Arrrrrrrr

 

[Tringa]

Agree.

There is no excuse for
(a) going when you should not, or
(b) going badly equipped

On a hill walking forum some one commented that irrespective of the conditions at the top the conditions, at a much lower level on that day they were also severe and they should not have set off or turned back.

Tackling any mountain in winter conditions without crampons and an ice axe is asking for trouble. They might not ever be needed by if they are then not having them could be the difference between having had a good day or not coming back at all. However, as some of the party were wearing trainers they probably would not have been able to use crampons anyway.

It is very easy, especially in poor weather, to get into trouble. Many years ago daughter and I went up to the Beiin Eighe corrie one April. The rain showers at the car park became snow as we walked. Neither of us had the equipment or experience to go any higher than the corrie so we enjoyed the view and then headed back to the car. Within the relatively short time we had been out and at an altitude and steepness far less than on the Ben the 10cm or so of snow which we were happily crunching through on the way up was starting to ice over. Had we stayed much longer, of set off later, a good walk could have been something quite different.

Dave

 

[Jannyfox]

I've been up in the mountains and out on the moors and have seen idiots everywhere. The vast majority get away with it, either through sheer luck or because they've met someone who's sorted them out, and yes I have been that person. There is a mindset that this is the UK, it's benign, nothing can go wrong here. Mobile phones have made people even more blase. They give a false sense of security. I always work on the assumption that mine won't get a signal, and a lot of places I go it doesn't..........
To be fair to these guys, they weren't from the UK, they were tourists. They have publically admitted to making a huge error of judgement, have apologised to the MRT, made a donation and sent them gifts. I think they are very definitely older and wiser because of this experience.

 

[mj4456]

They may have been tourists but I suppose they have mountains at home, which they obviously reckon they haven't climbed, must have left their common sense behind though. We were in that area in January, no way was I even getting out the car when I couldn't see the tops of the hills around, let alone think about going for a hill walk.

Someone recently described Philip Schofield as "Brave", the lifeboat crew mentioned above and Lochaber mountain rescue folk are the real brave folk, some might even say heroes. Certainly not him.

 

[MartynK]

I've been up in the mountains and out on the moors and have seen idiots everywhere. The vast majority get away with it, either through sheer luck or because they've met someone who's sorted them out, and yes I have been that person. There is a mindset that this is the UK, it's benign, nothing can go wrong here. Mobile phones have made people even more blase. They give a false sense of security. I always work on the assumption that mine won't get a signal, and a lot of places I go it doesn't..........
To be fair to these guys, they weren't from the UK, they were tourists. They have publically admitted to making a huge error of judgement, have apologised to the MRT, made a donation and sent them gifts. I think they are very definitely older and wiser because of this experience.

I saw this too. They behaved foolishly and irresponsibly, but I give them credit for their public apology and the gesture they made.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

I saw this too. They behaved foolishly and irresponsibly, but I give them credit for their public apology and the gesture they made.

In Switzerland I believe they would receive a very nice bill and would be lucky to have travel insurance that covers it. I'm not suggesting this is the best way but it makes you think....