Posted by RichardG on October 20, 2003 at 17:38:12 from 62.173.81.130 user RichardG.
In Reply to: Dangers to children posted by Michael on October 20, 2003 at 17:14:44:
I think that you are a bit over-protective, Michael. A group of sensible children like the S&As should not have too much problem on a mountain like the Old Man of Coniston, providing they are properly equipped and the weather forecast is reasonable. I have been on the Old Man in low cloud with limited visibility and do not recall it being particularly risky - the main thing was to keep to the path. The S&As in clear dry conditions did not even need to do that.
In WH the weather was still fairly mild when Molly Blackett suggested a run up the mountain, and again, providing they were properly kitted out and took care to be down before daylight faded, there ought not to be much to worry about. My school Mountain Club in the late 1960s used to think nothing of taking trips up the Welsh mountains in mid-winter; we were under adult supervision alright, but the odd blizzard never stopped us !
As far as Peggy rowing across the lake, on a cold calm day, that would seem to me less risky than the two Amazons sailing across in a summer squall.