Sam Burns found dead after going skiing alone in the Cairngorms
- Sam Burns, an experienced skier, went missing in the Cairngorms on December 13, 2024, while skiing alone.
- A comprehensive search was conducted by the police and rescue teams, resulting in the recovery of his body the next day.
- The loss of Burns has deeply affected the local skiing community, with tributes pouring in and efforts made to honor his memory.
In the Scottish Highlands, a tragic incident has captivated the local skiing community following the disappearance of Sam Burns, a 40-year-old experienced skier and mountaineer. On Friday, December 13, 2024, he went skiing alone in the Cairngorms. Friends last heard from him around 11:30 a.m. that day, and he indicated he planned to ski Y Gulley or Diagonal Gulley from the Cairngorm Plateau. When he failed to return to his van parked at the mountain car park in Aviemore, his friends reported him missing, prompting a police-led search operation. On Saturday, December 14, police announced that a body matching Burns' description had been found. The search involved the efforts of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, RAF Mountain Rescue, and the HM Coastguard helicopter. Although formal identification was pending, authorities confirmed that his family had been informed of the unfortunate discovery. Local police stated that there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. Brendan Hughes, president of the Inverness Backcountry Snowsports Club, expressed profound sadness at the loss of a well-loved member. He noted Burns' remarkable achievements within the mountaineering community and praised his competence in the mountains. Hughes emphasized the need for the community to come together to mourn and find a fitting way to honor Burns' memory, urging donations to local mountain rescue teams in his name. Burns' sister, Amy Tarren, expressed gratitude towards those who shared warm memories of her brother, finding comfort in the community's support during this difficult time. She acknowledged the joy he experienced in this sphere and appreciated the rescue team's efforts during the search. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks involved in outdoor sports and the vital support networks that exist to assist those engaged in them.