Many people now carry mobile phones on the Welsh hills. These have become the bane of mountain rescue teams lives, as inept hillwalkers phone to ask for help at the slightest sign of danger. A number of classic conversations have ensued: Walker: 'Help, we're lost!'. Rescuer: 'Can you describe your surroundings?'. Walker: 'It's grey and there are lots of rocks around'. There have been numerous instances of walkers venturing on to the hills with phones and global positioning systems, but no map, no compass. A party that fell on Tryfan recently phoned Ogwen mountain rescue, helpfully locating themselves with a grid reference that turned out to be on a Wrexham housing estate. Mobile phones can be useful in an emergency, but it should be borne in mind that they do not work on many parts of the Welsh hills. Map and compass is more reliable, more satisfying and less annoying to the rescue teams. It could also spare you a great deal of embarrassment. You wouldn't want to be the star of a novelty story in the newspapers, would you? But, if you really are stuck and rescue is impossible, there are still some things you can do as you wait for your rescuers (you did tell somebody where you were heading, and what you planned to do, didn't you?). If the snow is very deep, the construction of a snow-hole may be possible. It is highly unlikely that a day out on the Welsh hills would ever come to this, but it might conceivably be worth practising your digging technique if thick snow falls in your back garden. There are also a couple of emergency shelters on the Welsh hills - most notably the one near the summit of Foel Grach on the bleakest spot in the Carneddau. And shelter beneath granite boulders can often be found. The crucial thing is to get out of the wind as soon as possible. An emergency bivvy bag should always be carried - one of the plastic orange ones at the very least. Those silver space blankets offer no more protection than a paper bag. Mountain sense and good judgment can only be acquired with experience. A basic knowledge of the weather is also very important - the ability to read the sky comes in handy. All those interested in mountain activities will automatically keep a careful eye on the weather forecast - but make sure you concentrate while you're out on the hill, look out for subtle changes which may indicate bigger things to come. But don't pay too much heed to dire warnings. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, as long as they're not too stupid or serious. Learn by them, and enjoy the experience. The Welsh hills in winter can be a wonderful playground, offering fantastic adventures to be recalled later in front of the fire with a pint of tea or a glass of scotch.
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