Because it's there

[Highlander]

Has never seemed to me a good enough reason to climb a Scottish mountain even in the height of summer.

But when lunatics came up from London yesterday and got lost in atrocious weather conditions I get really upset.

Leave them up there I say  

[Colwyn]

But, H, you don't actually go up to rescue them do you? When Mountain Rescue crew are asked about this they have a very different view about open access to our mountains. Not that they support wandering about without a map in trainers and hoodie in atrocious weathers, but all the ones I've seen/heard being interviewed are very restrained in their comments about winter hikers - even if they are "lunatics" from London - and usually end with "Getting people down from mountains safely is what we are here for".

[Eric]

Sounds a little racist to me.

[Bluwise]

mmmm, so it's ok to seriously risk life and limb up a snowy mountain putting yourself in immediate danger (and risk the life of others rescuing you) but satan's curse and public outcry on selfish sods who choose to risk their health (however minutely) supposedly over-indulging in calories/alcohol/fags.

[Highlander]

Sounds a little racist to me.

The ones yesterday happened to be from south of the border. There have of course been others from all over the UK (and abroad)

[KKOB]

The ones yesterday happened to be from south of the border.

Mexicans ?

[Jacqui Harvey]

Every Winter is the same, in the most terrible condition people (manly English) come up to Scotland and fall off the mountains.  Lots of them are total novices to the Scottish mountains and put other people's lives at risk who try to rescue them

[kenkay]

Well Jacqui, at least they're not cissies  

[KKOB]

When you get independence you'll be able to finance the rescues through visa charges.

[kevin3]

You could construct Lunatic Detention Centres along the border.