I like to spend time on my own in the mountains, both in winter and in summer. Usually that means walking, sometimes scrambling or solo climbing. There is an unrivalled sense of peace that only comes from being miles from the nearest other person and having nobody to please but yourself, but unfortunately, the mountain environment is not always safe. Weather can change and there is always the potential for accidents even when walking a well-maintained path. If the worst does happen, solo walkers are much more likely to lie injured or freezing for longer than those with a partner who can get help.
Of course there is a lot you can do to make sure you stay safe in the mountains. Pick sensible routes, be aware of the weather, and carry emergency outdoor clothing and a phone. Wear the right footwear and don’t be slow to turn back if visibility gets bad.
It’s accepted practice in the outdoor community to file a rough route plan before leaving on a solo walk. Let someone reliable know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. That way, if you don’t come back down safely, they can either check up on you by phone (in the rare cases where there is enough of a signal) or alert mountain rescue services to the fact that you’re probably in trouble. If you’ve passed on the right information your friend will be able to give rescuers the data they need to find you fast.
I used to write down the name of the place I was going and give it to a friend, with an expected check-in time and a deadline for calling out the cavalry if I didn’t return. Because I usually walk in Wales, writing it all down was important- it’s easy to confuse Clogwyn du’r Arddu with Clogwyn du Ymhen y Glyder or Pen y Fan with Fan y Big. It can be difficult for non-Welsh speakers to pronounce the names of some places, too.
The other failure of this strategy lies in the unwillingness most people have to cause a fuss and the belief that bad things won’t happen. If I didn’t check in (despite always allowing enough time to reach a payphone or wireless access point into my schedule) and couldn’t be reached on my own phone, would my friend just put it down to my forgetful nature or not being able to get a signal? Would they fall asleep or forget to keep their own phone close by?
These days I use Facebook. It makes filing a route plan much easier. In some cases it’s even possible to post a link to a page describing your destination or a map of the route. Add a couple of quick notes about when you expect to be and when, and who to call if you don’t check in either by phone or Facebook. Send it to half a dozen reliable friends.
If you don’t check in at the stated time, the first thing that will probably happen is a comment on your post- “Hey, has anyone heard from Jess? She was supposed to be back by now.” If nobody has, at least one of your friends will probably either find a way to get in touch or alert rescue services.
I’ve never not made it back off the mountain safely and never missed a check in deadline, and usually these Facebook posts become a discussion forum for what I did on my day in the hills and what the weather was like. I add a photo album for each walk and Facebook has become a kind of log book for all my holidays and activities as well as a useful safety tool.
Jess Spate is a keen rock climber and mountain walker. She lives in Wales, UK and edits Outdoor Equipment Online, a price comparison website for outdoor gear, and also works for Appalachian Outdoors in the USA.
