Criticism after 'car park rescue' of Cairngorm walker Published duration 12 December 2014

image caption The walker had taken to the hills in winter without a head torch

A mountain rescue team leader has criticised the actions of a hillwalker who called to be rescued while 400m from a car park.

The man got into difficulty while descending the Munro, Cairngorm, in blizzard conditions and 100mph winds.

The 38 year old from Brighton was well equipped but chose to find his way down by walking in a burn.

He reached the buildings of the CairnGorm Mountain ski centre where he called 999.

He was taken off the hill by Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.

The incident came on the same day as the Scottish government released warnings urging walkers and climbers to take care in the hills this winter.

Mountain rescue teams rarely criticise the people they rescue.

But Cairngorm MRT leader Willie Anderson said the man had set out in bad weather and without a head torch.

He said that the man had otherwise been well equipped and able enough to have got himself to safety once he got to the car park.

Mr Anderson said: "His decision to phone 999 was an abuse of an emergency service.

"He was well equipped but missing a key piece of equipment at a time close to the shortest day - a head torch."