Snowdon. Photo: Steve Cadman
Eight mountain rescuers were injured during a major operation to get help two climbers on Snowdon last night.
Four teams were involved, with 48 members on the mountain in an effort to rescue two men who had fallen near the top of the Pyg Track. The 1,085m (3,560ft) peak was covered in ice and winds were gusting up to 110mph (177kph). A rescue helicopter was unable to get close to the incident because of the adverse weather.
High winds earlier in the day had forced the RAF Valley Sea King helicopter to abort an attempted rescue on Pen yr Ole Wen in the Ogwen Valley.
It is believed one member of the rescue services has broken ribs. Llanberis, Ogwen Valley, Aberglaslyn and RAF Valley Mountain Rescue Teams were mobilised after the pair fell about 100m (328ft) in icy conditions.
The two climbers, both aged 27, suffered multiple fractures in the fall. The injured rescuers suffered their injuries when they were blown off their feet. One woman fell 6m (20ft).
The injured mountaineers were treated at the scene before being helped down off Snowdon. Sian Williams of Search and Rescue Dogs Association Wales, said: “Conditions were so bad that it took two hours to reach the men, who remained bright throughout. The operation involved excellent teamwork with Ogwen, RAF MRT and Aberglaslyn supporting Llanberis.”
Ian Henderson, of the Llanberis team, described the two as experienced and well equipped. They are now being treated in Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
Earlier in the day, a Sea King helicopter from RAF Valley used a heat-detecting camera to locate a party of walkers from Leicester who were stranded on Snowdon.
Their equipment, together with SARDA dog Celyn, found the group who had gone to ground in a ruined building. The five were led to safety by members of Llanberis MRT.
A 14-year-old boy was also found safe after making his own way from the mountain after he became separated from his father. Rescuers, who had been alerted at 2pm, called off their search when the boy’s father reported him safe.
Ms Williams said the teams greatly appreciated the help of the Vaynol pub, which fed the rescuers in the earlier hours of the morning after the rescues were completed.
Mr Henderson issued an appeal at New Year for walkers and climbers to make sure they were properly prepared before climbing Wales’s highest peak. This followed a period over Christmas when 17 people had to be rescued from Snowdon.
People should have the correct clothing and equipment for winter mountaineering and should get a weather forecast before venturing on to the mountain.
