By Mountaineering Scotland:

As the days grow shorter and the clocks go back at the end of the month, mountain safety experts are asking outdoor enthusiasts, just how well do you know your head torch?

Whether you’ve intended to be out in the dark or not, it’s easy to underestimate journeys in the colder months and, if it does get dark, you’re going to need more than just the light on your phone to get yourself safely home. A fully charged head torch, spare and extra batteries are essential additions to your outdoor kit, but you also need to feel confident using them.

Senior Mountain Safety Advisor, Mountaineering Scotland said “Navigating in the dark with a head torch is very different from navigating during the day, requiring a higher level of navigation skills. Preparation is key. Familiarising yourself with your headtorch at home—learning its features, such as different brightness levels, how far and wide it illuminates the ground around you, battery-saving modes – and practicing using it in a safe environment, like your back garden or local park, will mean you feel more confident when it comes to actually being out on the hill in the dark.”

Inspector Matt Smith, Police Scotland lead for Mountain Rescue said, “Knowing how to use a headtorch isn’t just about seeing the path in front of you —it’s also about being seen if you’re lost or injured. A bright, flashing headtorch can greatly aid mountain rescue teams in locating you”.

Proper storage is also important. Keep your headtorch in a waterproof bag and place it somewhere easily accessible, so you can retrieve it before darkness falls. And remember, gloves can make operating a headtorch more challenging, so practice turning it on and off and switching between settings while wearing them.

If you’re looking to build your confidence with night navigation, Glenmore Lodge and Mountaineering Scotland run Night Navigation courses throughout October and November. To find out more, visit: www.glenmorelodge.org.uk and www.mountaineering.scot. To find out more about the annual ThinkWINTER campaign, visit the landing page here and keep up to date with all the latest news using the hashtag #ThinkWINTER.