Idwal Slabs. Photo: Jeremy Bolwell CC-BY-SA-2.0
Rescuers used a night-vision scope to spot two climbers trapped in the darkness on a Snowdonia crag.
Members of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation were called by the 55-year-old man and his son, 19, both from Anglesey about 6.15pm yesterday, Saturday, after the pair ran out of light while climbing.
The pair had begun their ascent of the Ordinary Route on the Idwal Slabs about 3pm but the conditions meant they took longer than expected and by the time they topped out it was dark.
Chris Lloyd of the rescue team said: “They then had to try to find the walk off, which is another scramble up a series of ledges until a thin traverse above Suicide Wall and then a steep scramble down into a gully.
“So by about 6.15pm they realised their predicament – their torches were in the car – and telephoned for help.
“We deployed troops to ‘spot’ and we picked up their mobile phone screen when using Night Vision scope.
“Team members climbed up the descent route, establishing a rope handrail en-route. A team member was roped down to the two, guided by the spotter with the Night Vision scope.
“The two were then brought up on ropes and eventually walked off the mountain.”
They were taken to the team’s base about 10.30pm for hot soup, fresh bread and tea.
Mr Lloyd added: “They apologised for the error of their ways. They now know to always take a torch.”
Gerald Davison
23 January 2011Please, please, please carry a torch when out in the hills. Even in the summer. A little Petzl E-Lite only weighs 28g. I carry one of these in summer as an emergency light. Hoping never to need it.
Something a bit bigger would be better if you think it is a bit more likely to be needed - like a Petzl Tikka XP2, still only 88g.
Also carry spare batteries.
Two easily avoided things contribute to many MR Callouts.
1. Benightment without a torch.
2. Poor navigation (which includes micro nav choices in steep ground).
Of course plenty of well equipped and skilled people still have accidents and this can happen to anyone - don't let the chances of that put you off the hills.
But do go properly prepared with the basics.
I'm both an MR Team Volunteer and a part time Navigation teacher.
Peter Stiuart
24 January 2011I would invoice them for the rescue time. Too many people go into the hills either ill equiped or lack knowledge.
Ranger Bob
24 January 2011To Err is human. Let's not go down the route of chastising & fining everyone who makes a mistake. Besides, we learn from our mistakes. How else are we to gain experience in the hills? Yes, training is an option, but do we really want to insist that everyone who goes into the hills has to be qualified? Not everyone can afford to pay for a training course. Do we say they can't go on the hill? Do we want to sound so elitist? I say no.