Police have criticised two charity walkers after they went missing east of Ben Lomond.
The men were members of a 20-strong group which set out for the mountain then turned back on Saturday morning. The group was from the Dennistoun area of Glasgow.
The two walkers were reported missing after failing to return to the group’s minibus at 2.30pm.
One was found more than an hour later on a farm track at Couligarten, 8km (5 miles) east of Ben Lomond, near the shores of Loch Ard.
Police said the men had been drinking the night before and continued drinking during their walk. Conditions were icy and cold and the men were dressed in tracksuits and had on trainers.
Lomond Mountain Rescue Team was called out at 5.45pm to start a search for the other man. Three search and rescue dogs joined the team, along with a Royal Navy helicopter. He was found five hours later near Comer Farm, Stronmacnair, suffering from hypothermia.
He had no equipment nor adequate clothing and footwear.
A spokesman for Central Scotland Police said: “If you wanted an example of how to do everything wrong on a walk then this was it.”
Iain Cairns
19 December 2008For how much longer will mountain Rescue Teams have to pick these idiots off the hill, can they keep their charity walks in the park. Were they raising money fot the MRT?
craig barr
20 December 2008Yeah Idiots, myself and a couple of friends climbed Ben Lomond two weeks before and mets these guys. When we came of the Ben (which was in full winter conditions)and met them, they asked us for some advice on climbing and showed no concern for the conditions.We advised them that they would need full winter walking apparel including ice axes and crampons.We had a laugh at their expense at the time and were not surprised when we read the news article. People like this should not be rescued from the hill!!!! a waste of money and resources..
Paul
21 December 2008Saving human life a "waste of money and resources". Interesting thesis, can you defend it?
Iain Cairns
22 December 2008George Bush!!!
Liam Coulter
13 August 2023Absolute idiots, probably out from the night before wearing tracksuits if you ask me