Case Studies - Zoning for Safety in the Countryside
Zone 4, Wild Terrain
Above the tree line the reserve encompasses part of the Cairngorm plateau at over 3000 feet. Conditions up here are extreme, with very low temperatures even in summer, boulder strewn slopes and often a lack of obvious paths, but even so it is popular with enthusiastic walkers.
Within the UK this area gives us a perfect definition of the Wild zone as defined by the Risk Matrix. Visitors can, and do, die on the mountain tops at any time of year. There are no physical safety features (bar the occasional mountain bothy), often no paths or signs and no staff, or help, available for miles.