Climber stranded five hours on mountain near Callander
5 January
A man spent five hours in the freezing cold after being stranded in white-out conditions at the top of Ben Ledi.
Mountain rescue teams had to go to the aid of the man, who police say was unprepared for the weather, to find that he had dug a snow hole to shelter in.
Luckily, he had been able to text his wife at the summit and tell her that he was in danger.
Chief Inspector Kevin Findlater, of Central Scotland Police, said that conditions were so poor; it took Killin Mountain Rescue Team five hours to reach the climber.
He said: “This man had climbed this hill numerous times and decided to travel light.
“He had no map or compass, no extra clothing and no food.
“The conditions towards the upper slopes were treacherous and team members found themselves waist deep in snow.
“Contact was made with the man regularly by phone and text.”
With the help from the rescue team, the hapless climber was warmed up and was finally taken down off the hill 10 hours after the alarm was raised.
Inspector Findlater said that it was fortunate the man was found safe and well.
He said: “This man had been complacent and took little notice of the approaching conditions.
“Anyone who climbs the hills should always be prepared and pay close attention to the weather forecasts and the weather conditions.
“The weather at the bottom can be very different to the conditions at the summit.
“It is irrelevant whether you have climbed the hill numerous times or once.
“You still need to be properly equipped and you still need to pay close attention to changing weather conditions.
“However, he has put his own life at risk and that of other people who were out looking for him.”
Police are now warning people intending on walking or climbing hills to make sure they are prepared for all weather conditions.
Inspector Findlater added: “To go up the hills at this time of the year and not to be properly equipped or prepared for extreme conditions is inexcusable.
"It is playing with people’s lives and this should not be taken lightly.”
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