A rookie climber has told a fatal accident inquiry into the death of a mountain instructor that she pleaded with him to tell her where they were so she could seek help.
But professional Skye guide Graham Paterson, 60, who had fallen 300ft, could only mumble incoherently after the accident in the Cuillins.
Ildiko Kerek told Portree Sheriff Court yesterday that she spent two hours walking down the mountain alone in the darkness but could not tell rescuers where the guide was.
His body was eventually found three days later.
Giving evidence by video link from Bristol Magistrates Court, teacher Miss Kerek, 38, told the FAI that she hired Mr Paterson to take her for “a nice walk in the hills” on December 27, 2012.
He told her she would not need a map and there was no discussion what they might do in an emergency.
But Miss Kerek, Bristol, said that two hours later they were above the snowline on 3,167ft Sgurr na Banachich in the Black Cuillins, battling a blizzard.
She said: “The Scottish mountains are far too dangerous to go on without a guide, particularly in the winter. This was my first time in the Cuillins.
“I tried other guides but they were busy. Graham was the only one available but I trusted his judgement.
“I told him I was a walker, not a climber. I am not gungho. I did not know where we were going in the Cuillins. We did not examine a map together before we left and he told me to leave mine behind. I would not need it.
“He said it would be a nice day’s walk, not challenging. The weather was nice to start with but got bad in the afternoon.”
She said that they continued with ice axes and crampons before a blizzard set in and she asked to go back.
But then Mr Paterson fell.
She said: “I was terrified. I looked through my legs and saw him sliding at an incredible pace.
“I shouted his name twice but there was no reply. I saw his body bouncing off the rocks and ice.
“I climbed down slowly and carefully so I would not fall too. There was some blood on the snow.
“When I got to him in the corrie he had got himself into a kneeling position. He could not speak or stand. He looked very vulnerable.”
Dr Gary Kerr, 47, emergency medicine consultant at Inverness’ Raigmore Hospital, told the inquiry that Mr Paterson would have had a good chance of surviving if he had been found on the day of the fall.
The inquiry continues today.