This is one the earliest photos from the RAF Kinloss Mountain Rescue archives. The homemade probes were made out of gas piping by the RAF Kinloss workshops in 1953.
| 2-7/04/53 | Ben Nevis South Castle Gully | Six-day search for two avalanched climbers. They left kit in CIC hut and not returned. Team climbed N&S Castle, 2, 3 & 4 gullies. Casualties found when snow melted below N&S Castle gullies. 2 Fatal. Tech |
The old guide book for Ben Nevis used to show details of Avalanche areas sadly not now, it is mentioned in many of the climb write ups but not as in my view as good as this:
cable probe system with a 240 cm automatic locking system. Quick and easy to use. Essential to the 3-part safety system:Avalanche transceiver shovel probe
Compact and durable 6-section cable probe thanks to its 12.5 mm diameter. The automatic blocking system tightens the probe cable in a single step for quick use
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