Ben Nevis Incident: A Long Day, A Valuable Lesson
- Rhys Dobbs
- Aug 31
- 3 min read
Supporting St Andrews Hospice on Ben Nevis
Yesterday, our team was up on Ben Nevis, marshalling an event in support of the fantastic work done by St Andrews Hospice. The event itself ran largely without incident, with a scattered cloud base clinging to the summits at around 1300m and some lucky glimpses of the landscape — including from my spot at Corner 4, around 1000m.
But as always in the mountains, things can change quickly.
The Incident: A Slipped Walker and Rapid Deterioration
On our final sweep of the route, we encountered a 58-year-old man who had slipped and fallen onto his back. He was experiencing intermittent weakness in his left leg — it kept giving way unpredictably, making descent incredibly difficult (Point A approx 770m).
We were still on the zig zags, and after a clinical assessment and some pain relief, we attempted to support the man and walk him off the mountain.
About 100 metres into the descent, it was clear this was no longer a basic evacuation. The pain was increasing, mobility was dropping, and the situation was becoming urgent.
The cloud base had dropped to 900m. Winds picked up. Rain turned horizontal. It was a grim turn of events — and now it was time for a multi-agency response.
Mountain Rescue Response in Tough Conditions
Chris from Tayside Mountain Rescue contacted Lochaber MRT to request an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), aiming for a rendezvous point at Halfway Lochan (Point B Approx 610)— just over a kilometre away.
The going was painfully slow. The patient began showing signs of hypothermia: mumbling, fumbling, grumbling, and eventually starting to tumble. It took us over an hour to cover the short distance, as conditions deteriorated rapidly.
Ultimately, the ATV couldn’t reach us. Rescue 199 from Prestwick was tasked and en route Landing at point C, Lochaber Mountain Rescue utilised their stretcher to extricate from B.
The patient was wrapped in a Blizzard bag, sheltered under a group shelter, and monitored closely. A clinical handover was given to Rob — the Coastguard paramedic — using the Reactive Medical Reference Cards, which proved to be an invaluable tool under pressure.
A Multi-Agency Success
Despite the challenges, this was a textbook example of teamwork under pressure. Massive thanks to:
Chris from Tayside and Lochaber Mountain Rescue Teams
The crew of Rescue 199 from Prestwick
Everyone on the hill who worked together calmly and professionally
Photo From Chris - Tayside Mountain Rescue
Lessons from the Hill
Incidents like this leave a mark — not just in memory, but in lessons we carry forward. Here’s what I took from that long day on Ben Nevis:
1. Be Prepared
The hills may look friendly — but the weather isn’t. Conditions change quickly, and patient deterioration can happen in minutes. I always carry a Blizzard bag, and this incident showed exactly why. Ask yourself:
What can I carry, do, or learn to help prevent someone’s condition from worsening on the hill?
Sometimes, it’s your gear — sometimes, your knowledge — that makes all the difference.
2. Communicate Clearly
Multi-agency responses in poor weather are hard. Wind and rain often make calls or radio messages difficult to hear. That’s why it helps to:
Write down essential info before calling
Know what you're asking for
Be concise and clear
Fast, accurate communication speeds up rescue tenfold — and ensures the right resources are deployed quickly.
3. Be Confident — and Step In
This part is hard to write, but important: we weren’t the first to pass this gentleman. Others had walked by.
Having the confidence to stop, assess, and help can literally save lives. This isn’t instinct — it’s learned. That’s why we recommend training courses like:
Reactive Medical & Leadership (Contact us for dates)
Mountain Safety
These courses help hillwalkers and volunteers build the skills — and the mindset — to step up when it counts.
Final Thoughts
The hills give us a lot — beauty, challenge, community. But they demand respect, preparation, and sometimes, action. Be ready. Stay sharp. And be the person who stops to help.
Stay safe out there.
Want to build your mountain skills? Check out our Mountain Safety course for beginners below
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