Nature's forces

I have now learned through various people in J-land that the body of one of the mountaineers, missing on Mt Hood in Oregon state, has been found near the summit. I would like to pass my sympathies to those left behind.

Here in Scotland, there have been (to my knowledge) at least two fatalities on the mountains this winter, and they are nowhere near as high as in the Rockies. But we're at latitude 57 N, so at 4,000 feet things can get very arctic.

Climbers and walkers should only attempt a climb or ramble if properly kitted out and sufficiently experienced, which includes being prepared for anything nature may see fit to throw. At the end of the day, Nature is infinitely more powerful than any of us, and if you are serious at your sport, you'll acknowledge that.

However, even the best prepared, kitted out and fittest may still find themselves in conditions that can get the better of you. It is something that will be at the back of your mind, and may well have been with the climbers on Mt Hood. Although it's a hollow cliche, at least he died doing what he loved to do.