Snowdon - in daylight. Photo: Steve Cadman

Rescuers today issued a warning to walkers: it gets dark on mountains when the sun goes down.

The plea to be prepared when venturing on to the high ground came from Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, which had to go to the aid of a couple on New Year’s Day who became benighted on the summit of Snowdon.

The pair, from Hampshire, got to the mountain top at 4.30pm. They then were unable to find the Pyg Track to make their way back down.

Rescuers pointed out it gets dark in Hampshire at 4.30pm at this time of year.

Eighteen members of the Llanberis MRT went to the couple’s aid after they were alerted to their plight at 5.30pm.

A spokesman for the team said: “We urge members of the public who choose to venture up Wales’s mountains at this time of year to remember that when the sun goes down at around 4.30pm, it gets very dark.

“And as there are no street lights on the mountains, if you don’t bring your own light source, you will not be able to find your way down the mountain.”

The walkers, who had no torches, were unharmed after their ordeal.