Dead Skiers Were Given Weather Warning in Norway.

Two Scottish cross-country skiers who froze to death on a Norwegian mountain range were advised not to attempt their trek because of the poor weather conditions, local experts said today.

The bodies of Peter Wilson, 18, from Inverness-shire, and James Ross, 50, from Ross-shire, were discovered by chance yesterday by a Red Cross rescue patrol in the mountainous Hardangervidda national park in western Norway.

The teenager's father, Rupert Wilson, 48, is in hospital with hypothermia and was today said to be in a stable condition.

The three men all worked at the LifeScan pharmaceuticals factory in Inverness.

A statement by the company said the elder Mr Wilson and Mr Ross had met in the army. Peter Wilson had been working temporarily before applying to join the army.

His mother said the family was "devastated" by events. "My son was a wonderful boy and was looking forward to the holiday," she was quoted as saying by the BBC.

The skiers, who had set out on their trip in cold and foggy conditions on Friday, were just two miles from the safety of a cabin when they were found.

A spokesman for the Norwegian Trekking Association said the men had been warned the day before not to attempt the 10-hour journey between Finse and Kjeldebu.

"The three came to our office in Bergen but they were warned not to go on this route because of the harsh weather coming," said Meret Habberstad.

"They also had information that a tour we were planning to run from the same area on Friday morning had been cancelled because of the bad weather and they still went ahead. This is very unfortunate.

"They also weren't properly equipped. They lacked the proper clothing and I think they didn't have a spade to dig a snow hole. This is a tragedy."

Earlier today, the Norwegian Red Cross also questioned the group's preparations for the trip.

"Of course it was very strong and harsh weather and I don't think they were properly equipped for that kind of weather," Bernt Apeland told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme.

"The terrain is not very challenging but the climate is very changeable and that's what you need to look out for in that kind of area."

He said the area "is not that demanding from a topographical point of view but, as in any mountain area, the weather is the main factor. They were heading for a cabin two miles ahead from where they were found."

Rupert Wilson was flown to Haukeland hospital in Bergen. He had hypothermia but was stable and had been able to communicate, Mr Apeland said.

Inspector Sigmund Vestrheim of Bergen police said it was a miracle he had survived at all.

"He was very cold and nearly unconscious. To survive up in the Norwegian high mountain plateau in those circumstances and conditions is next to impossible," he said.

Several feet of snow fell during the past week in the area, which is popular with cross-country skiers and hikers, although it can become extremely cold. Temperatures dropped as low as -10C (14F) at night over the weekend.

Hardangervidda is the largest national park in Norway, covering more than 3,000 sq km (1,158 sq miles), and the largest mountain plateau in northern Europe, with one of the largest population of reindeer in the world.