Another from the archives. I believe this incident happened in December 1964 and was one of the first mountain rescues that dad participated in. Dad can be seen above the victim in this photo, helping to haul him onto the stretcher. 4 men were climbing Beinn a' Bhuird in the Cairngorms, and got caught in an avalanche. One escaped to raise the alarm and bring a volunteer search team to the spot. Dad and the other 29 volunteers arrived at the zone at around 9.30pm, in the dark, and succeeded in finding only one body. They abandoned the search about 3am and 16 remaining volunteers returned with dad at first light to search for the remaining two victims. They had been searching futilely for hours when a volunteer went to rest on a rock and suddenly saw a finger in the snow. The victim had by now been buried for 22 hours and was miraculously still alive. He was buried upright, and his arm had formed a pocket around his face, allowing him to breathe. The heat from his body had melted the snow around his hand, near the surface of the snow. He had heard the rescuers arrive at night and leave again. He must have thought his days were over. He was very, very lucky, and survived his ordeal. The third body was found lifeless after the rescuers returned to the avalanche. Photographer unknown.
Amazing photo and a poignant story. My first Scottish mountain involved calling mountain rescue, not for me but others in the group who go lost in a blizzard on Ben nevis. All got down OK. Amazing work these teams do.
Wow what a wonderful story - sad but also uplifting!! A great photo of the rescue. What incredible work the Mountain Rescue teams do. You must be so proud of the work your Dad did over the years.
Having just survived my own brush with death, I am drawn to the amazing end to this story. Your dad and the other rescuers really are heroes! Like many have said above, you must be so proud of him.
Wow that is a very sad story in one way but inspirational in another. What great work the mountain rescue people do & your dad must have been very proud of the work the team did. This guy was a very lucky man but must have been devastated to lose his mates. That picture is a testament to brave men.
