Andre Roch: "Anyone who exposes himself to the dangers of an avalanche is - very stupid." It therefore follows, that anyone who exposes his clients to the dangers of an avalanche is - very stupid indeed.

 

1969: 19 February. 

Clients, members of a Glenmore Lodge winter 'survival' course were taken into avalanche conditions on the West side of Coire Cas, they were rescued by other climbers and a ski patrol. Six remained in hospital; two were seriously injured.

1973: 19 December.

Glenmore Lodge instructor, Peter Boardman was injured when caught in an avalanche in Alladin's Couloir, Coire an t-Sneachda.

1976: 12 March.

Glenmore Lodge party was avalanched on Goat track, Coire an t-Sneachda, there were numerous injuries.

1976: 12 March.

Another Glenmore Lodge party that was on the way to rescue the above mentioned Glenmore Lodge party were themselves avalanched in Coire an Lochain near the col on Fiacaill a' Choire an t-Sneachda. Six members were injured and one died in hospital.

1981: 11 February.

Six climbers from Plas-y-Brenin were avalanched in Cinderella Gully. Two instructors sustained broken legs and two more people (clients?) were also injured.

1982: 15 February.

Three climbers from Plas-y-Brenin were avalanched in Raeburn's Gully on Creag Meagaidh. All injured, one with a broken leg.

1986: 20 March.

Glenmore Lodge instructor was avalanche below Garbh Uisge Beag - while searching for missing party members. There were 153 MPH gusts of wind on Cairngorm summit. Three other's in the party were also carried away by the avalanche. The Glenmore Lodge leader received leg injuries.

1986: 30 December.

Glenmore Lodge instructor was avalanched near Jacob's Ladder whilst soloing above his students; clients. He fell 130 metres breaking his pelvis and scapula. His party were rescued by another Glenmore Lodge team and an RAF helicopter.

In 1979, a client on a three month course at Plas-y-Brenin (the course cost - £1,000), during the final week injured a knee whilst approaching the end of the Cuillin Ridge Traverse on the Skye. As he hobbled painfully down into the valley towards Sligachan - into the oncoming night, he watched as the rest of the party, including the Plas-y-Brenin guide/instructor, disappear into the gloom; into the growing darkness. That client, fortunetly, because of prior knowledge of the terrian, made it to the road - no thanks to - Plas-y-Brenin. That client Sir, was - me Sir!.

 

Just some examples of 'client care' whilst with the two, BMG run, Elite Mountain Centers; supposed centre's of - excellence...or as Bill Wright put it: 'These Pillars of Learning.' ??

 

T. Rupar: "While inexperienced climbers may become involved in avalanches, the experienced climber who becomes involved is either - myopic, gung-ho, English or a combination of these..." Tom Rupar holds the Canadian Avalanche Association's highest award - the Intenationally recognised 'Level Two' qualification for avalanche field workers.

 

In October, 2003, I received an email castigating Mr Rupar for his hatred of the - English.? Another e-mail, from Blyth Wright (9 March, 1999) Co-ordinator of the SAIS (Scottish Avalanche Service) states: 'Avalex is one of 5 SAIS (1.5 million pounds sterling per annum**) sub contrators, over whose individual utterances we have no direct control. SAIS does not subscribe to the views expressed by Tom Rupar in the article (Avalanches - Tom Rupar, a member of 'Avalex', the Cairngorm avalanche team gives an insider's view of the avalanche service in Scotland) to which you refer.' ** And young people are still getting caught-up in avoidable avalanches.

 

 

Apparently someone has been enticing young people: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2004979,00.html Mountaineering organisations (the profesionals) have taken the unusual (in fact very unusual) step of warning that the hype surrounding adventure activities may be encouraging young people (supposedly protected the Young Persons Safety Act 1995) to take unecessary risks on Britain's mountains.