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Safety
This page contains information that you should know to ensure your safety on the mountains. So far it contains details on descending from the top of Ben Nevis and information on the deer stalking season.
Descending From The Summit Of Ben Nevis
Warning: These bearings and distances are only likely to be of assistance if you are already a competent nevigator. Even very experienced mountaineers can have great difficulty navigating accurately in severe wind or 'white-out' conditions, such as occur frequently on the Ben Nevis plateau.
From the summit trig pillar walk 150 metres on a grid bearing of 231° to near the top of Gardyloo Gully, (first marker pole).
Then follow a grid bearing of 282° to clear the plateau. (A second marker pole is situated 300m along this second bearing, at the top of McLean's Steep.)
Note: At present (1995) magnetic north lies about 5° west of grid north for Ben Nevis. In order to calculate magnetic bearings (ie. the value you set on your compass), it is necessary to ADD 5° to these grid bearings. This adjustment will decrease by about 1° every six years.
Note: The marker poles are reported to have been removed recently (November 1996) by vandals who took a hacksaw to them and threw them away.
Original produced by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and available from Tiso's etc.
Walking During Stalking Season
The Hillphone is a recorded message answering service gives information on where stalking is occurring in six areas of Scotland during August to October (although note that hind culling continues until February).
Please be aware that deer stalking takes place elsewhere in the Highlands, and not just in the Hillphone areas.
The Hillphones Scheme covers the following areas:
Grey Corries / Mamore 23 Aug - 20 Oct (01855) 831 511
Glen Dochart / Glen Lochay 2 Aug - 20 Oct (01567) 820 886
North Arran 23 Aug - 20 Oct (01770) 302 363
South Glen Shiel 9 Aug - 20 Oct (01599) 511 425
Glen Shee 23 Jul - 20 Oct Glen Shee: (01250) 885 288
Callater and Clunie: (013397) 41997
Invercauld: (013397) 41911
Balmoral/Lochnagar: (013397) 55532
Clen Clova: (01575) 550 335
Drumochter 20 Sep - 20 Oct (01528) 522 200
Other Areas:
East Knoydart
The Ranger: Mr. M MacKenzie
Kingie: Mr. J Cameron, 01809 511 261
Glen Dessary: Mr. S Walker, 01397 712 463
Inverie, Knoydart: Mr. B Pile, c/o Estate Office, 01687 462 331
Ben Alder: For access information telephone 01528 522 224