Well put Ray.

I've done the OMM/ KIMM a few times, it's a tough but highly enjoyable way to test your skills, fitness etc against the weather and terrain...and the course planners!

Mike Parsons was interviewed by a TV journalist who seemed desparate to get a story of mayhem in the mountains, telling of the emergency situation where hundreds of competitors were trapped in appalling weather. The reality was that none of the competitors were lost - they all knew where they were and they were all equiped to deal with the conditions. And there was no emergency, it was just another KIMM / OMM with a little more rain than usual. Shame about the competitors cars though.

Had the competitors NOT been properly equiped and NOT had the skills / knowledge to deal with the situation then things could well have turned ugly. Fortunately the event demands minimum kit standards that ensure you can look after yourself. The rules also demand that competitors run in teams of two...and the pair should never be separated.

Watching the coverage (on the internet, I'm currently in USA) has fired me up to apply for next year's event.

John