Rock climbing, hillwalking and mountaineering are adventurous activities that carry an element of risk. That is in part one of the reasons we pursue these activities. It introduces an element of adventure, where the certainty of the outcome is not always known. Will we succeed in climbing the route without falling? Will today be the day we succeed on the boulder problem that has so far eluded us? Will we be turned back before the summit by strong wind and lashing rain? Will our navigation get us safely down out of the mist back to the car? It is these sorts of questions and thousands more like them that keep us coming back for more. In choosing to pursue these activities we have to accept the risk that goes with them and be responsible for our own actions. We are fortunate to have a very efficient and ‘free’ mountain rescue service in this country but that does not give us the right to go out ill-equipped or unprepared for our adventures. Rather, if despite our best planning and preparation an accident still befalls us, we should be very grateful that volunteers are happy to give up there own time to come to our aid.

Employing the services of a guide or instructor can never completely eliminate all these risks. By ensuring you employ someone with the relevant qualification you know you are getting someone who has been trained and assessed to both be aware of and able to minimise the risks involved. Your instructor will do all they can to ensure you have as safe and enjoyable time as possible but it is not possible to remove all the risks or prevent genuine accidents.

The British Mountaineering Council Participation Statement says:

"The BMC recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions."