Group members should recheck each other's work. Periodically turn around 180 degrees and take back-bearings down your trail as a check. Alternatively, someone could zigzag in the general line of travel ahead of you, allowing you to use one of their footprints as a point to aim for. Beware: it's easy to drift, especially in strong winds, so always pass them on the same side. You may have to send someone out to the limit of visibility, giving them simple signals to keep them on the bearing. With no features visible, it may involve throwing a snowball ahead (try wiping it on dirty overtrousers for some peaty coloring). Finally, check it with others in the party or completely redo it yourself. Estimate a bearing from looking at the map, then calculate it and make sure they match. WATCH: Winter skills 1.9: travelling in the winter hills Now it's time to go back to the basics of navigation. If you're already lost then backtrack or rely on map memory to retrace your route and aim for a safe, large catching feature to relocate. Do this in the comfort of a group shelter. ridges and valley floors) and can be broken into short legs. Make a plan and establish a safe, practicable route, which will make the best use of any major features (e.g. Establish exactly where you are before you go running off. But using minimal visual information and 'the force' to navigate will just get you into trouble, so stop when things begin to worsen. Attach the mapcase and compass to you: this would not be the time to lose either.Īs visibility worsens, it's tempting to speed up and try to wing it. Put them in a good-quality map case that your compass (with rubber feet and a large baseplate for gripping with gloves) will stick to when taking bearings. BMC Mountain maps (1:40,000) or 1:50,000 scale maps show larger-scale features that aren't obscured by snow. Prefold or precut your map to show the right area. Organise your equipment: a jacket with a hood with face protection and a stiff brim, warm gloves, a belay jacket and goggles will all feel like refuge from the weather outside. But could you navigate your way back to safety?īefore going out, check the weather forecast and examine potential escape routes off the hill. When bad weather hits snowy hills, there’s a good chance you could experience a whiteout.
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