It follows consultation by the Nevis Partnership, which manages the Ben and its environs, with mountaineering organisations.

In a move to increase safety on the mountain, which attracts more than 200,000 visitors a year, the relocated cairns now mark the recognised compass bearings that are used by walkers and climbers to navigate off the summit.

The cairns, which are almost six feet high and spaced at 50-metre intervals, will enable walkers and climbers to avoid the snow cornices that fringe the edge of the mountain's north-east facing corries.

Snow covers the summit plateau of the Ben for much of the year, making the route of the path useless for navigational purposes.

When the summit is free of snow, visitors are recommended to follow the path, but when snow is lying on the ground the new line of cairns should be followed.

Although the cairns will aid walkers and climbers leaving the summit in bad weather, Nevis Partnership chairman Cameron McNeish said hill users should still carry a map and compass and know how to use them.

"Because of its status as the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis attracts about 200,000 visitors a year," he said.

"Many of these people are not mountaineers and have little knowledge of navigation skills. However, I would urge everyone who wants to climb to the summit of Ben Nevis to learn how to navigate by using a map and compass and be fully prepared for the worst possible conditions, especially in winter weather.

"The new line of cairns will certainly help people to leave the summit plateau safely but a good knowledge of navigational skills is by far the safest option."

Heather Morning, the mountain safety advisor for the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, said: "Visitors still need to be aware that provision of these navigation cairns is no substitute for sound navigation skills.

"The summit of Ben Nevis can be a hostile and inhospitable environment at any time of year.

"Anyone wishing to climb Ben Nevis should ensure they are wearing suitable clothing, carrying appropriate equipment and be aware of the prevailing weather conditions."

* Police have issued a safety reminder to hillwalkers following a mountain rescue incident in Glen Nevis last Thursday.

Two female hillwalkers were rescued after they became cragfast due to the darkness and unfamiliarity with the terrain in the Steall area of the glen.

Police were alerted shortly before 8pm after what appeared to be flashing torchlight was spotted.

Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and an RAF rescue helicopter attended and located the pair, who were not named by police. Both were uplifted uninjured.

A Northern Constabulary spokesman said: "Police would like to remind hillwalkers to prepare for any trips by leaving route details with an appropriate person, wearing suitable clothing and footwear, carrying navigation and emergency equipment which they are able to use.

"Also, notice should be taken of the shorter daylight hours when route planning."

s.taylor@lochaber-news.co.uk

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---