Both rescues took place when scramblers got into difficulties on the North Ridge. Photo: Richard Webb CC-BY-SA-2.0

A mountain rescue team was called out two days running to help walkers who got into difficulties on a Snowdonia scrambling ridge.

The Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation was alerted by police yesterday, Sunday, when a couple in their 20s got stuck on Tryfan’s North Ridge.

North Wales Police called the rescue team after receiving a call for help from the pair, from the north Wales coast, about 6.45pm when they strayed on to the dangerous West Face while looking for an escape off the ridge.

Chris Lloyd of the OVMRO said the man and woman set off up the North Ridge about 2pm.

He said: “The weather was reasonable but was soon to change.

“They made their way up into the falling cloudbase. Navigation became more difficult and the female partner was becoming more concerned for their safety.

“The male partner, who was very well equipped, decided to seek an escape down the notorious West Face.

“This proved too much for the woman who was now exhausted and would not progress.”

When they called for help they told police they thought they were on the West Face but were not 100 per cent sure.

Mr Lloyd said: “They also reported the woman had a medical condition which therefore upped the urgency for location and evacuation.

“By this stage the cloud was about 200ft above the valley floor. Search parties were despatched up all the likely routes: North Ridge, South Ridge, Heather Terrace, and Western Gully.

“Mobile phone contact between the team and casualties was never established. The only information was the 999 call to the police.

“I believe that the two had continued to try to find their way down and moved out of signal.

“At about 8.40pm, they responded to the team’s hunting horns.

“They were located high up the Western Gully. After much refuelling with food and hot drinks, they were able to make their way down the gully and back to Oggi Base for about 11pm.

“The medical condition didn’t appear to manifest itself.”

The following day, Monday, the team was in action again on the ridge to help a family party stuck on the mountain.

A party of five: three brothers, a 19-year-old son and a 72-year-old relative, set off up the North Ridge at about 10am.

Mr Lloyd said: “The weather was reasonable with the cloud just catching the tops. On arriving at the North Tower, they felt that this was too challenging, so opted for the escape along the Eastern Traverse.

“However, they were unhappy with this so returned to the foot of the North Tower to seek a Western Traverse.

“Sadly, there is no Western Traverse route.

“Eventually, they found themselves stuck on this notoriously perilous ground and decided to call 999 at 4.15pm.

“Once more, the team set off into the cloud to try to locate the party. By 6.30pm voice contact was established and by 7.30pm all were safely back at Oggi Base for a cup of tea and debrief.

“All were well equipped. The mountain and the conditions were just a bit too challenging for the party on that day. A wise call because the West Face can be unforgiving.”

Today’s rescue was the Ogwen Valley team’s 62nd of the year.