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Ski tragedy man defends actions Ski tragedy man defends actions
(40 minutes later)
The father of a teenager who perished during a Norwegian skiing expedition in which another man also died has denied that they were poorly equipped.The father of a teenager who perished during a Norwegian skiing expedition in which another man also died has denied that they were poorly equipped.
Rupert Wilson, from Inverness-shire, survived but his son Peter and their friend Jim Ross froze to death in the Hardangervidda region at the weekend.Rupert Wilson, from Inverness-shire, survived but his son Peter and their friend Jim Ross froze to death in the Hardangervidda region at the weekend.
Rescue teams raised concerns about the men's equipment and said they were warned to go back.Rescue teams raised concerns about the men's equipment and said they were warned to go back.
However, Mr Wilson said they were prepared for their journey.However, Mr Wilson said they were prepared for their journey.
Speaking from his hospital bed in Bergen, the 48-year-old, from Drumnadrochit, near Loch Ness, said: "We were fully equipped to overnight in a snow hole, and fully prepared for our trip.Speaking from his hospital bed in Bergen, the 48-year-old, from Drumnadrochit, near Loch Ness, said: "We were fully equipped to overnight in a snow hole, and fully prepared for our trip.
"The equipment would have been the usual stuff - lots of clothing, sleeping bag, and bivi-bag.""The equipment would have been the usual stuff - lots of clothing, sleeping bag, and bivi-bag."
Mr Wilson said that he and 50-year-old Mr Ross were ex-servicemen and that Mr Ross, in particular, was familiar with the terrain. We set off as a team and that team was expecting to make the final hut Rupert Wilson
Mr Wilson said that he and 50-year-old Mr Ross, from Evanton, were ex-servicemen and that Mr Ross, in particular, was familiar with the terrain.
The three men, employees of a medical equipment firm, began their trek through the western Hardangervidda region on Friday, stopping at huts along the way.
However, they were caught in snow and freezing fog and a Red Cross rescue patrol discovered them near a glacier two miles from the safety of a cabin at midday on Sunday.
Mr Wilson was conscious at the time with severe hypothermia, but his 18-year-old son and their friend were dead when found.
The Red Cross expressed doubts about the men's equipment and two Norwegian skiers who had been with the party turned back when the weather deteriorated.
Mr Wilson said: "We weren't told not to go. We were advised a weather front was coming in and it was our choice.
Father's footsteps
"It was our choice and that was made borne on our experience.
"We set off as a team and that team was expecting to make the final hut."
Mr Wilson, a former regimental sergeant major with a Territorial Army medical unit, said he could not describe the final moments of his son and Mr Ross as they died in the cold, stating that he would need time come to terms with the tragedy.
Paying tribute to Peter, who planned to follow in his father's footsteps by joining the Army, he said: "There's not enough time to describe him - I could never do him justice.
"I would just say that he was a large part of my life. But rather than there now being a big hole, he was so large that he is still there."
He also praised Mr Ross who had tried in vain to reach a hut and get help on the Saturday as Peter began to fall victim to the cold.
Mr Wilson is carried into the hospital in Norway after his ordeal
"Jim came back totally exhausted," Mr Wilson said.
"It was that effort which we believe meant he did not make it through the night.
"In effect he was trying to get help back down to us."
An emotional Mr Wilson said his son died first as darkness fell, followed by Mr Ross.
Mr Wilson said his friend's actions "spoke for themselves".
"For me Remembrance Day has always been a special occasion," he said.
"Now it will hold a different meaning. Jim certainly put his life on the line for us."
Mr Wilson said he had gained strength from his wife Kirsten and their daughter in Scotland.
He said: "I have spoken to my wife and daughter several times. It's their strength that is really helping me."
Mr Wilson said his rescuers heard his shouts on the Sunday.
He said: "We had done everything we could do that night.
"I remember just feeling elated and disappointed when I heard the rescuers.
"I need to follow up and thank them personally - I cannot speak highly enough of them."