Moel Siabod. Photo: David Medcalf CC-BY-SA-2.0

A walker was airlifted from a hillside after injuring himself while on a winter mountaineering course.

The man was with a group on 872m (2,861ft) Moel Siabod in Snowdonia today when he slipped on snow while coming down the mountain, suffering a painful ankle injury.

The walker was unable to continue his descent and members of Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation were called out shortly after 4pm to help the man.

The team asked for a rescue helicopter because of the cold conditions and failing light. A Sea King from RAF Valley joined 17 Ogwen Valley volunteers and the walker was winched into the aircraft and flown to hospital for treatment.

The team was also in action yesterday when a couple walking on the Carneddau called for help to say they were stuck in poor visibility.

The pair phoned about 2.50pm to say they were stuck on the ridge above the Ffynnon Llugwy reservoir. Two search parties from the Ogwen Valley team made their way on to the mountain and the walkers were found, unable to descend the steep ground in snowy conditions.

Team members helped them down to easier ground and they were then taken back to the team’s rescue base to be warmed up. 14 volunteer rescuers took part in the operation.

Snowdonia Safety wardens from the national park authority say the ground on the areas mountains is still frozen and an ice axe and crampons, along with the ability to use them, are essential for walkers heading for the hills.