Three walkers needed mountain rescuers' help on Ben Nevis
Two walkers reported missing on Britain’s highest mountain were found safe and well.
The men, who were tackling the Three Peaks challenge, had last been seen on the early hours of Sunday on Ben Nevis.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team was alerted at 8.30am and began a search. The walkers were quickly found making their way down off the mountain south of the summit near the Allt Coire Eoghainn waterslide above Glen Nevis.
The rescue team also went to aid a walker yesterday who had suffered an ankle injury on the mountain and been helped part way down by other walkers.
The walker was carried down to a point below the cloudbase where a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter from HMS Gannet in Ayrshire winched the casualty aboard and airlifted the walker to hospital.
Forecasters were warning of severe weather on Scotland’s mountains today as hurricane-force winds hit the area’s high ground, and temperatures fell to freezing on the tops.
The CairnGorm Mountain ski resort closed to all snowsports after recording a wind speed of 100mph (160kph) on the mountain.
Deugar
13 May 2012I can't comment on this incident specifically, but I was camping in Glen Nevis last Saturday night and saw long lines of torches, many high up on the mountain, at about 11pm. Presumably many of them were 3 peaks people. The previous weekend I was in the Lakes and a mountain guide was talking about leading a party over Sca Fell Pike in the dark. Sure, many of us are perfectly capable of going out on the hills at night but should charities be encouraging large numbers of people to be taking to a small number of peaks on events that have timetables which don't allow for whether the time of day or weather conditions are appropriate? Personally I would never sponsor anyone doing the 3 peaks challenge and would rather sponsor something like the wateraid200.
Mik
17 February 2013Totally agree with Deugar. The three peaks challenge represents three great walks but is very environmentally unfriendly and so many of those I have met doing it on the Ben (Nevis) are ill equipped and very inexperienced. Why not do a much longer walk in the nearest beautiful area close to where those wanting sponsor money live. Much better for the planet. Learn how to use a map and compass first though.....