Alan Hinkes escapes avalanche – in the Lakes!

By Leanne Hyland

Outdoor headlines

09 March 2010 15:24

Legendary mountaineer Alan Hinkes - the only Brit to have climbed all 14 8000m peaks – almost slid to his death on Wednesday when an avalanche struck in the Lake District.
 
The snow slope gave way as Alan attempted a solo climb at Window Gully, Borrowdale, a spot prone to avalanches.
 
Alan said: “The slope released and started an avalanche with me in it! Somehow I managed, after several metres, to roll myself off the moving slab to safety before it carried on over the edge and fell hundreds of feet. I couldn’t believe it – I was very lucky.”
 
Two nearby climbers, Alan had met earlier that day, were concerned that he had been swept away and immediately alerted the emergency services. “The climbers had heard the avalanche go roaring past them, it was a noise like a jet engine. They knew I was somewhere on the climb to the top. The cliff face broke off and they saw the slab and thought I was in it,” explained Alan.
 
Dog handlers, RAF helicopters and an air ambulance soon arrived at the scene. Alan was given the okay and flown back to his car by the RAF helicopter. He commented: “I’ve got to say well done to the lads for raising the alarm – they did the right thing as time is vital in these situations – and thanks particularly to the Royal Air Force.”
 
The incident comes just one month after two men were swept 750ft (228m) down a fell when an avalanche struck near Patterdale. Alan says that with the winter conditions we’ve been enjoying it’s important to remember that avalanches can happen anywhere: “I say get out onto the hills but be aware that the conditions on the mountain can change dramatically. Never underestimate the snow slopes.”