This subject has made me curious after reading that five hikers narrowly escaped from an avalanche on Ben Nevis (Scotland) after gully four slid.
Here's the article on it (short but sweet in true BBC style):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-30673728
"Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team said the avalanche resulted from a cornice collapse in number four gully.
All involved managed to walk out, with only one very minor injury reported."
It is my understanding, from what I've been told from people who were in the area, that none of these hikers were in possession of transceivers, as is understandably the norm for hillwalkers in Britain.
In winter the Scottish Highlands and Ben Nevis in particular are hotspots for some nasty slides. Avalanches in this area have killed people in past years.
This has made me wonder if hikers in winter should be required to carry all necessary avalanche recovery gear when venturing into these areas.
As many of you will have experienced, access to many backcountry areas near resorts is restricted to those who are carrying transceivers, usually enforced by rangers via an electronic gate system.
Rangers in the area of the slide reported that, a few days earlier, hikers were found trekking under the huge cornice that had formed in gully four. After the rangers had severely reprimanded the hikers, it was found that they had ventured out to the backcountry from the inbounds area of a local resort. None of them were carrying avalanche recovery gear.
So, Newschoolers, my question to you is this: Like backcountry skiers, should hikers in the backcountry be encouraged/required to be carrying avalanche recovery gear (most importantly transceivers) when hiking in winter?
Please select an option in the poll below, and discuss further in the comments.
