Knowing your limits and malicious reviews.
11th December 2020
Knowing your limits.
I keep talking about making sure I have the right kit to keep me safe, regardless if I’m walking for a few hours all day or 24hrs plus.
I do this because having the right kit is vital, as is the knowledge to use that kit correctly. If you need to ask about wearing spikes and using an ice axe for example and don’t know how then you probably shouldn’t be walking that route.
If you can’t map read, for example, then having a map and compass gives a false sense of security…and when you do get lost not knowing how to use them both correctly is more dangerous than not having them.
That experience comes from time on the mountains. You don’t just decide to walk a route because you have seen photos on FB perhaps and think it’ looks good. You decide on a route based on your knowledge and capabilities.
If you don’t have the knowledge or capabilities or equipment you hire a guide who has. You listen to people who are more experienced and take that feedback on board (especially when you are told it’s a Moutain Rescue hotspot).
If not expect to be rescued.
Malicious reviews.
So with the above in mind, when I get a review like the one below it makes my blood boil.
Malicious reviews.
This came from a Facebook Group called Hiking Britain. A lady posted that she was going to do a particular route with a friend and asked what kit she needed.
That route, in winter, is dangerous. Many suggested she choose a different route. Many suggested she not walk that route.
I commented, “If you’re asking what to use etc…find another walk.”
Advice by the way I stick by.
I reiterated the advice and was ridiculed by Phil Higgins. This despite others on the thread saying essentially the same thing.
Which resulted in the malicious review from Phil Higgins because I had an attitude problem in my reply.
So thanks for that Phil Higgins. We all know you would rather “help” someone go on a dangerous walk than offer sensible, possibly life-saving advice.
That whole post, by the way, has been removed.
I posted Phil Higgin’s comment above onto the group and it wasn’t authorised by the admins. Instead, they contacted me to say I was breaching the advertising rules!
A simple search of news outlets and the various Moutain Rescue Team websites etc will constantly find examples of where even experienced walkers have gotten it wrong.
