This is designed to show the various safety procedures incorporated into the planning and execution of a club trip. This policy will be made available to all members to make them more aware of the Club's position and responsibility regarding safety.
This document is complemented by Mountain Guidelines and Emergency Procedures (External link to MCofS website), which give basic advice to members.
In summary, it is a question of common sense over taking safety precautions at each stage, to ensure that trips suit the experience of the members and the prevailing conditions at the time, and that they have adequate equipment. The club role is one of advisor, but not instructor.
If you’re worried that your kit doesn’t match up to what you’ll need for Club Trips, below is a list of kit available to borrow (see the Kit List).
All items are subject to availability – their need for Club Trips takes precedence over individual requests for borrowing kit. Members are responsible for checking the condition of any kit borrowed, and informing the Safety Officer of any defects found.
Please contact the Safety Officer to request kit.
* 1st Aid Kits are crucial to members’ safety – it is imperative that you notify the Safety Officer if you use anything from the kits, or items are missing or out of date, so they can be replaced accordingly.
** Anyone using technical winter walking equipment takes full responsibility over the risks associated with their use. You are expected to read and understand the Club’s policy on borrowing ice axes and crampons and how to use them safely.
You must consult the committee over any doubt around these matters, and inform them if defects are found with the equipment.
*** See the Club Library.
Here is a list of all of the books and maps that the club owns. If you wish to borrow any of the items listed below, please contact the Safety Officer.
Guide Books
Lake District
The Pennines
Scotland
Wales
Yorkshire Dales
Other
BMC Publications
Maps
Maps marked “OL” are Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, and have lots of detail – best for remote, unfamiliar areas with few obvious natural features, where detailed navigation is necessary. Maps marked “LR” are Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps; these contain less detail – smaller, less significant paths are omitted where they might be included in OL maps. These are better for longer treks covering large distances over multiple days, where OL maps would be impractical. BMC maps are 1:40,000, so are not as detailed as OL’s, but more so than LR’s. BMC maps are specifically tailored to cover areas of interest for hillwalking and mountaineering (where you might have a really annoying city plonked in the middle of your Ordnance Survey Map), so you won’t need an awkwardly wide range of different maps to cover the area you want. They also include a lot of extra information relevant to hillwalkers (such as colour coding for elevation and terrain), but less of the irrelevant stuff! Finally, they are also printed on plastic, making them lightweight, durable and waterproof.
North West
Yorkshire
North East
Peak District
Southern Uplands
Scottish Highlands
Dartmoor & Exmoor
North Wales
Central Wales & Brecon Beacons
Other
Author: Dave Farrow, May 2011
Ice axes and crampons require knowledge for both care and use. Please take care of the club equipment as if it were your own, as it is expensive and we let you use it for free. Firstly, give it a good look over to see if anything looks broken or damaged. If you damage or lose something, please let the committee know ASAP. They only bite if you don’t tell them.
Crampons and ice axes are metal, and they get used in water (in the form of snow). This means they rust very quickly. Make sure after every walk (even if you didn’t use them) that you get them out and dry them out fully.
If they have got dirty, please rinse them in water before drying, as dirt can speed up rusting.
Ice Axes
Ask someone to show you what length will be best, and how to store it on your rucksack. Watch out for spiking people in the eye while walking around. To dry, take them off your rucksack and leave somewhere dry, where they won’t hurt anyone.
Crampons
Before using, make sure you have adequate boots (ask someone if you're unsure), and get someone to help fit the crampons to your boot. Some club crampons have two bars - use the correct one and don’t lose the other one. Practise putting the crampons on and off, with gloves on.
To dry, take them out the protecting bag, dry the bag and both crampons. Shake off the snow and water (outside the bunkhouse), then leave in a safe dry place to ensure no moisture is left anywhere on the crampons.
At the end of the trip, try to dry them out as much as possible before handing them back to the Safety Officer (but please don’t take them home).
There are many members that are able to help you out - just ask someone that looks experienced. Below are some basic techniques that you should know the first time you go out. Remember the club does not provide instruction or leading and you are still responsible for your own actions.
Ice Axes
Used basically as a walking stick to give extra support, but there are tips and tricks to make sure you don’t fall too far if you are that unlucky. Ask someone to demonstrate and try for yourself:
Crampons
Just walk like John Wayne. The biggest problem is tripping over yourself - make sure you practise before getting somewhere too scary. Ask someone to demonstrate and try for yourself:
If you plan to regularly use axe and crampons, get someone (an experienced member or instructor) to go through winter skills in more detail. Getting your own equipment is recommended as it frees up club equipment for others.
Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what may be the end. Edward Whymper, "Scrambles amongst the Alps"
Although the possibility of accident when on the hills can never be totally eradicated, it can be reduced. Equally, in the event of an incident, the chances of survival can be improved if everyone is suitably equipped. These safety guidelines set out a basic, mandatory framework within which Club members can operate. It is hoped that many of you are familiar with their content; we do not mean to patronise or discourage anyone.
It must be stressed that it is the responsibility of the individual to ensure they follow these guidelines. Any person inadequately equipped endangers not only themselves, but also their companions, and so cannot expect the club to allow them to participate on walks.
Whatever the weather conditions, wherever you are, you should observe the following guidelines.
If you have any queries on the above, please contact a member of the committee for further advice. These guidelines are not intended to alarm anyone, but to safeguard club members in the event of the worst happening. By sticking to the above, the likelihood of this is very much reduced. An adequately equipped person will find their hillwalking far more enjoyable.
This document is a designed to be read along with the Safety Policy and Emergency Procedures.