Nigel Vardy, one of the team’s newest members, started training with the team this week.  However, with a string of international summits under his belt, it was Nigel who was delivering the training.  His experience of high altitude and extreme conditions was put to good use in explaining the physical and psychological problems of encountering severe cold conditions.

It was in 1999 that Nigel suffered severe frostbite in temperatures of -60°C on Mount McKinley in Alaska.  The story of his rescue and his slow recovery from the horrific injuries enthralled team members for two hours.  His determination to get back into the great outdoors is an inspiration to anyone.  Nigel revels in winter conditions and despite having no toes and only stubs for fingers, he is again climbing big summits.

Whist the team is very unlikely to encounter such extremes of weather many of the techniques used in high altitude climbing can be applied to British winter conditions.  The training was invaluable but perhaps most important was understanding the psychology needed to overcome adversity in difficult circumstances.   In extreme winters mountain rescue teams may become the last line of hope for a casualty.  If the team gives up, who else can offer a rescue?

Photo credits:  Top, BMRT- Nigel tries to make a point of the team’s web-address.   Lower, Nigel’s web-site, mrfrostbite.com “Hold on Nigel!”