Rescue chief blames smartphones after hillwalkers lose way in fog

By FRANK URQUHART
Published on 15/08/2012 00:43

THE head of one of Scotland’s leading mountain rescue teams said lives were being put at risk due to walkers and climbers’ increasing reliance on smartphone technology for navigation in the hills.

It comes after 14 hillwalkers were stranded by dense fog on the UK’s second highest mountain. The group contacted the emergency services on Monday night after getting into difficulties on 4,295ft Ben Macdui, in the Cairngorms. Braemar mountain rescue teams and Grampian Police were called out, together with a helicopter from HMS Gannet. The walkers were found just before 11pm and guided to safety early yesterday morning.

Chief Inspector Andy Todd of Grampian Police said: “What is particularly concerning is that the individuals who rely on this technology often do not possess even rudimentary mountain navigation skills.”