Himalayan disaster 2014 and some mountain safety advice

With the situation in the Himalayas still confused it's unclear what the final death toll will be, sadly this should never have happened.
Much about whats happened is still unclear but from what I'm hearing many of those who died were not equipped for the winter conditions and lead by inexperienced guides, there's also some questions over the weather warning system.
Many go into the mountains every year, all too often I've seen badly equipped people walking into trouble, some take the safety advice given, others ignore it at their peril.


Some basic safety advice for winter walking.

Don't think you have to be on the north face of Everest or in the Himalayas to get into trouble, people die in this country every year after getting into trouble in the mountains.  I personally have seen -20 in the Brecon Beacons, and if you've never been in a total whiteout you wouldn't believe what it's like (put you head in a big white paper bag and light the outside evenly, then try walking about see below ) You could literally walk off a cliff and not see a thing.
Dress for the worst, it doesn't matter if it's a lovely day, it might not be when you get half way up. That means proper water and wind proof clothing, warm clothing, and good hiking boots (not trainers)  Carry gloves and a good warm hat.
Take a torch and spare battery, a survival bag or space blanket, and a map and compass (make sure you know how to use it)  and make sure your phone is charged (but don't rely on it)  A flask of something hot and some mars bars or similar may come in handy too if you have to spend a night out, and seriously you should be prepared for that.
Make sure someone responsible knows where your going and when you due back, and don't change the route with telling them, they are your last line of defence if it goes tits up.

Now this might sound like overkill for a stroll in the mountains on a fine winters evening, but the weather can change quickly, and trust me teeshirt trainers and jeans really isn't going to be fun in -20 in a blizzard.

Remember experienced SAS soldiers have died in the Brecon Beacons from exposure, these are well trained and usually well equipped people with the armys resources behind them.  If it can happen to them.....


Please don't actually try the walking around with a bag over your head bit, it's a bad idea, it's just to illustrate the point.