The attrition of hill walking.

Probably the best book on hill walking I have read is the "The Black Cloud, Scottish Mountain Misadventures 1928-1966" published in 1993. The Introduction sets the scene and importantly covers the effects of severe weather and hypothermia on human physiology, factors that directly contributed to fatalities in 5 of 7 misadventures covered in the book:

1928 - Baird and Barrie in Gleann Einich
1933 - MacKenzie and Ferrier on Cairn Gorm
1934 - Norman MacLeod on Ben MacDui
1951 - Death and Survival at Corrour
1959 - The Loss of Five Men on Jock's Road

The misadventures have been thoroughly researched, with expert opinion sought on the prevailing weather conditions and accounts presented from the survivors and representatives from volunteer search parties. Where no witnesses survived or memories obfuscated by the effects of hypothermia, trauma and time, plausible scenarios are explored and the most likely narrative put forward. Fatalities in 5 of the misadventures resulted from the capricious nature of weather, poor judgement and those fated to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The combination of wet clothing, high windchill, fatigue and low morale appears to accelerate the effects of hypothermia and death occurs in a matter of hours as indicated by the tragedies at Corrour and Jock's Road. The misadventures occurred well before the advent of fairly reliable mountain weather forecasts, freely disseminated information on the internet for hill walking safety and relatively affordable technical outdoor gear. Sadly there still seems to be a reluctance by some individuals to make themselves fully aware of the potential for a misadventure whilst hill walking before setting out.

Hills in winter condition

Grough reports on UK outdoors news and winter 2017/18 highlights the rescue of some very fortunate individuals.

Yorkshire Three Peaks walker found suffering hypothermia on Ingleborough
https://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2017/12/24/yorkshire-three-peaks-walker-found-suffering-hypothermia-on-ingleborough

"A lost walker attempting the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge was found suffering from severe hypothermia on a fell top by rescuers."

Map omission 'could have cost lost Cairn Gorm climbers' lives'  https://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2017/12/28/map-omission-could-have-cost-lost-cairn-gorm-climbers-lives

“Despite having the best of gear, this simple omission could have cost them their lives. Nowadays mountaineers spend huge sums of money on tremendous gear, but it’s the few quid spent on a basic map and compass that is often the best investment.”

Ill equipped hypothermic Dartmoor walker 'very lucky' to be found by rescuers
https://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2018/01/23/ill-equipped-hypothermic-dartmoor-walker-very-lucky-to-be-found-by-rescuers

“She had no map or compass, no spare clothing, was dressed in jeans which were totally inadequate for both the terrain and weather conditions and certainly contributed to her situation and mild hypothermia." 

Lost Blencathra walkers' lack of compass 'could have had serious consequences'
https://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2018/02/13/lost-blencathra-walkers-lack-of-compass-could-have-had-serious-consequences

"The group was caught in bad weather without navigation equipment on Tuesday on the summit of the mountain."

The risks to the volunteers of the Mountain Rescue Teams attending call outs in rescuing the feckless are also reported on:

Helmet saves rescuer from serious injury after incident on Tryfan
https://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2018/02/04/helmet-saves-rescuer-from-serious-injury-after-incident-on-tryfan