An emotional and nostalgic trip back onto Cairngorm as an opportunity is taken to get into the hills, 50 years after a first visit. The conditions on the hill were a stark contrast to the original journey but provided an amazing experience that demonstrates that whatever the conditions there is always natural beauty and awe to be found.
People
Wendy moved to the Cairngorms having lived in London for most of her life, having visited one summer she experienced a day of fine sunny weather and spent most of a day on top of the hills. Over 50 years later Wendy welcomed an opportunity to be able to get into the hills once again, albeit on not such a nice day.
Wendy is reasonably ambulant although she moves slowly and carefully on rougher or uneven terrain, the BOMA all terrain wheelchair was used as a mobility aid, enabling her to access the mountain environment without the concern of physically negotiating rough terrain without worrying.
Accompanying her on the day was Heather Morning from Mountaineering Scotland who shared some of her knowledge, skills and passion for the Scottish hills.
Planning
The original plan was to undertake a journey using the trails from the main car park at the Centre up into the hills and to the top. Weather, on numerous previously planned days, was judged to be unsuitable.
With a certain degree of disappointment, a day was planned that was not perfect but provided an opportunity to get into the mountain environment safely and with considerations to the correct clothing a reasonably comfortable journey was undertaken.
Flexibility is an important element of inclusive activity planning, however there are occasions when an activity should not be undertaken. Often though these decisions are not from considerations to safety, they are simply that experience has proven that regardless of clothing and preparation being wet, cold and tired is simply not enjoyable. Regardless of what activity you are attempting there has to be an underlying expectation that the event will invoke a certain amount of fun, enjoyment or pleasure gained from what you are doing or where you are. Short blasts getting cold and wet with a purpose can be invigorating and fantastic experiences, dips into mountain streams or lochs however chilling can provide a surge of enjoyment… generally afterwards.
To accommodate the potential variations in functional requirements of people an approach to have and not need, rather than, need and not have was adopted when equipment was packed for the day.
Environment
The Cairngorms National Park environment is varied, beautiful, full of surprises and wonder but needs to be respected. The trails out from the main car park are gravel packed with stone gullies which channel water across the paths. The gulleys require a degree of caution to navigate.
The trails are not manicured and are not promoted as being wheelchair accessible and to the majority they are not. They include gradients up and down and also cross gradients across the paths.
A vehicle like the BOMA does open up the trails to further exploration, however it does bring along with it the need to be prepared for the environment and the consequences and eventualities that may arise from a change of state. Changes of state may relate to health, equipment, weather or accidents culminating in the functional ability of someone in the group changing or the consequences of being exposed to the elements through equipment damage/failure.
Equipment
Boma All Terrain Wheelchair
Monkey Bars – Handlebar Attendant Steering
Practice
Before the start of the session a decision was made to undertake a lower level route based on the prevailing conditions, a route that would still involve a journey into the hills but would not top out as Wendy had done over 50 years previously. As with all sessions a short introductory fact finding session was undertaken. The session aimed to ensure that everyone had as many sources of interference removed so they could fully enjoy their day and the joy of being in the hills.
Having driven the BOMA around the car park, Wendy decided that she would like the security of knowing that Heather was able to control the BOMA if she could not. This was not a decision that was challenged as it was very clear that the aspiration for the day for Wendy was about being in the hills, it was not focussed on learning to master a BOMA. Removing the interference of not being safe, or doing something wrong was accommodated by providing, with agreement, the reassurance that Heather would also have control if needed.
Departure from the centre followed a collective check of the equipment that was being taken, a check of the current comfort levels of everyone and confirmation from everyone of the boundaries of the activity. Boundaries which especially concerned gaining consent from everyone to honour the personal wish of anyone expressing a wish to return would be honoured by all, one back – all back.
Once departed Wendy and Heather negotiated paths and trails and returned to the car park having been in the hills, in less than perfect conditions having remained reasonably comfortable. They had however been able to experience the majesty of the environment and were able to reflect on Wendy’s experience previously and on the day especially, the mist and cloud with sunshine, the sparkling streams with the turbulence of them now and the chill with the warmth and splendour of the Cairngorm in a good day in the summer.
Key Message from EA
Personal aspirations may not match the programmed or planned aim of a session or activity, having flexibility to meet aspirations is essential in respecting individuality and providing positive experiences.
Possible Micro-Adventure Opportunities
- Take a walk in the rain.
- Observe a stream or river when it is full of rain, listen to its noise, watch its turbulence, feel the mist rising from it.
- Plan an intentional activity where you can get warm and dry quickly after getting wet and cold.
- Take a trip to the top of a mountain on a beautiful summer day.
Additional Information
Mountaineering Scotland welcomes any opportunity to support participation in mountaineering and indoor climbing for anyone who wants to take part. We want to share our love of Scotland’s mountains and hills, the joy of exploring them, and the health benefits that come with this.
Facebook/Insta @MountaineeringScotland Twitter @Mountain_Scot
https://www.mountaineering.scot/safety-and-skills
