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1994 Archive Stories and pics from the Club Log Book Volume 2 |
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1994 Archive Stories and pics from the Club Log Book Volume 2 |
Sunday 23 January
This trip turned out to be the most notable in the Club's history .. for all the wrong reasons.
The letter I sent out to Club Members on the Tuesday sums up the day ....
Dear Members
You will no doubt have heard about the accident on Sunday .. an incident like this touches all our lives. I have no words which can adequately express my regret that Dave McCulloch suffered on Sgor na h-Ulaidh for 20 hours with a badly broken right leg, lying in a location far from his estimated position. I have no words of admiration left for his resilience and sheer survival instinct, which undoubtedly saved his life.
Also, I have no words of admiration left for the members of the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team, and RAF Pitreavie, who found and attended to him through their absolute dedication and professionalism. It's difficult to believe the lengths to which they're prepared to go when human life is at stake.
Dave was made 'comfortable' at Belford in Fort William on Monday afternoon, then transferred by ambulance to Raigmore in Inverness to have a pin inserted in his leg. Their initial estimate is that he'll be on his feet in a week, and probably be transferred to the Glasgow area in 2 weeks. (He's in Ward 3B and the phone number is 0463 704000). He certainly sounded very chirpy this morning when I phoned, asking where the ***k I got that picture of him for the Daily Record. At the moment, the plan is that some of the group who were on Sgor na h-Ulaidh on Sunday are travelling up to visit him on Friday afternoon, when we'll hear more about his condition, and hopefully what happened on the hill.
Dave joins with Allan and I in hoping that this incident will not mar your future enjoyment of Scotland's winter mountains. After much discussion, we've decided to continue with the next outing as planned, and I will look closely at the rest of the winter outings with a view to making any changes that may be necessary. We'll certainly be revising our procedure for communication on the hill, and will move very quickly towards making the wearing of safety helmets compulsory in icy conditions. Remember that we're a well-organised club and each member is highly responsible.
I'd like to pay tribute to the solidarity of the other members of the group on Sgor na h-Ulaidh on Sunday who handled the situation with their own courage and professionalism .. Kenny MacKenzie, Janet Morrison, Willie Muir, Willie Robison and Bob MacDonald. It can't have been easy going back in the bus knowing that Dave was missing, and probably fearing the worst. The fact that they had earlier made an exhilarating ascent of a Grade 2 gully in good weather would on any other day have made them all proud.
Finally, I'd like to pay tribute to Allan Boyd, who stayed with me throughout, and particularly to his wife Alice who so selflessly helped on Monday by driving to Glencoe, Fort William and home again. What better shoulder to cry on?
Andy McGowan, Outings Convener
After a long recovery period, not without its problems, Dave joined us again on the Club's 10th birthday ascent of Ben Lomond in April 1996.
If you'd like to read more about the day on Sgor na h-Ulaidh, please click here for the article which appeared in the industry magazine EPE.
(Click the pic to download Adobe Reader for free)
Other groups that day were on the West Highland Way from Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse, and on Meall Lighiche next door to Sgor na h-Ulaidh.
