The 1991 fatality was recorded as misadventure. I believe that the single most important finding at the inquest that persuaded the coroner to record this verdict was the evidence of a fellow competitor who just also happened to be a MR member. He had noticed that the eventual victim was about to set off into adverse conditions with no compass or map and had offered to share his to ensure safe passage. His offer was declined because the victim wanted to run faster than his steady pace. If she had accepted the offer, would she have survived? Almost certainly yes. That fact alone meant the coroner could not place the blame on the RO.
