Blethering Ben - Mellock Hill

[@paulstubbs1843]

Great that you documented and included that last bit Ben... I’m sure most of us watching will be able to relate to a similar situation to a greater or lesser extent 🙂👍

[@BenvironmentBlog]

Yeah I was in two minds whether to even include it tbh!

[@Martin-lp4yg]

@@BenvironmentBlog Glad you did...we have all been there! Cheers!

[@jonnyanderson2271]

I know what you mean about the sparkling. It’s an unreal experience, I was really tempted to stay on one of the hills in Kielder Waters to watch the stars but unfortunately the weather conditions weren’t safe to do so (as there was a bitterly cold wind). As I walked down, the sun had set and darkness was falling, we were walking through plantation and the sparkling was so hypnotic and amazing. I could have stayed for longer. I also tried to film it myself but the gear I had at the time didn’t do it justice. Another awesome video again, never disappoints! 🙏😎👊

[@BenvironmentBlog]

Cheers Jonny!

[@DAoutdoors]

Hi Ben, thanks for another wonderful video, stunning scenery again! 😀🏔🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@BenvironmentBlog]

Cheers Dave!

[@amyahmed-dolphin543]

Oh Ben what a sober end to such a magnificent and happy day! Hope the best of the day lingered in your thoughts more than the journey home.

[@BenvironmentBlog]

Time's a great healer :) Looking back, I know I was never THAT far away from the forest track and would have found my way out even if I'd got lost, but at the time a cloud descended that completely skewed any rational thought.

[@natalieminnis]

It happens to the best of us Ben - and I've found that when things go wrong in the hills, momentary panic is often the reason. It happened to me a while ago when a friend I'd been camping with developed eye problems on the descent from the hill. I had to guide her carefully and the descent took several hours. Just as the lights of the town were really close (it was late at night by this time) I missed a turning because I was looking down at the path to guide her. I panicked, because she was very tired. I started heading in every direction and eventually I sat her down, put my sleeping bag round her as she was getting cold, and called the police. They were amazing, and when they arrived it took us 5 mins to get back to the car. The next day I looked at the map to work out what had gone wrong - and I could see the path we should have taken immediately. It was obvious, but in my panic at my friend's condition and my worry that our head torches might lose power, I failed to work it out at the time. My friend was fine by the way.

[@BenvironmentBlog]

Glad to hear it all worked out okay! And you absolutely did the right thing.

[@mawebb88]

Glad you are okay at made it back safely. Best wishes

[@BenvironmentBlog]

Cheers Mike!

[@michaelatkinson8291]

Even the most experienced can make wrong decisions mate. None of us are too old to learn. You're right it's complacency but also fatigue can play a part in bad decision making. We've all been there Ben. Onwards !

[@MUNROSnCORBETTS]

Jesus Ben @29:55 i was about to add a comment then @30:00 onwards i was like "what the........!" A beautiful magical place can turn into something so deadly! Mental mate honestly!

[@BenvironmentBlog]

Yeah, I haven't been silly like that for a looooooong time.

[@Kay-xb9cp]

How scary was that last bit, you could see by the look on your face that you’d been frightened. So glad you found the track eventually and got home safely

[@BenvironmentBlog]

Really quite sobering!

[@kerrylanders3219]

I can't have you getting lost. A GPS will fit in a pocket. That way I get more great postings from you. Thanks Ben.

[@mosestrod2856]

Ben ! Thought you were a gonner there… Ahhh it happens. Maybe we get a bit too familiar sometimes with the same place, being like you’ve been wandering up and round that forest seems like every day for the last 2 months ha ha. Lockdown Madness set in. Soon be exploring new horizons again buddy. Role on adventure ! 😊

[@BenvironmentBlog]

Yeah I can't wait till we can actually go somewhere else ;-) Mind you, everywhere's gonna be so busy I think I'll find myself hesitating for fear of bumping into other people ;-) Still, it'll be good to get out before the midges descend in earnest!

[@wildfisher]

Glad you are OK Ben. Don't beat yourself up over it, we all have done a daft things on the hill.

[@BenvironmentBlog]

Oh I think it's good to beat yourself up about these things ;-)

[@Martin-lp4yg]

there is a short cut off Innerdounie Hill through the trees....its actually a hidden path ....directly south of the trig point...on bing/google maps looks like a slight fire break....look like a dark sort of line...it comes out at a proper firebreak.

[@the_snowball3718]

Looking forward to the " Beast from the east 3 " walks, i assume that easterly brought another 15cm? there as i know you were in a bit of snow shadow.

[@BenvironmentBlog]

About 25cm on the Lomonds in the end I think.

[@onion_wind]

The worst thing about getting in trouble is knowing how easy it is to avoid. I don't think there's a single walker or climber that hasn't found themselves is a similar situation at some point.

[@BenvironmentBlog]

Well I've certainly been in tight scrapes before....but not for a veeeery long time!