Mountain Clients

On the 12 February, 2004 Lyndon Gill wrote in Rockfax – Bloody Scouts Need Rescuing: ‘ I agree that there has been a fair amount of cronyism in professional guiding and instructing. There is still some evidence around today especially relating to the criticism levelled at amateur groups by certain professionals.

As you point out the British Mountain Guides ‘safety guarantees’ previous to 1997 was highly erronious. More so the fact the BMC published such advertisements. Misleading and dishonest in the highest degree. Cronyism at its worse.

What is needed is a dose of realism. Life is full of risks. We carry on just the same. Participants need, especially new participants, the opportunity to acknowledge the very real risks that exist in the mountains. If society realises they accept those risks and proceeded regardless it is far more understandable that if the impression is given than if they were led into the lions den.

Look at the low level qualifications there is no requirement for certified leaders to understand risk acknowledgement, its value or terminology…’

Mr Gill was advocating the value of risk acknowledgement and the requirement for person responsibiliy – from all participants… I agree with Mr Gill completely.