The climbers got stuck after topping out on the Idwal Slabs. Photo: Ogwen Valley MRO

Thirteen students were rescued in two separate incidents in Snowdonia.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation lowered nine climbers to safety on Saturday after they got stuck on the Idwal Slabs.

And yesterday, four men were coaxed to safety by the team parking a vehicle with blue flashing lights to guide them by following the lights.

The nine men from Leicester University set off late and took longer than expected while climbing the Hope and Ordinary Routes on the slabs.

By the time they reached the top of the descent gully, it was dark and the group became cragfast.

Chris Lloyd of Ogwen Valley MRO said: “They had trouble finding the walk off especially when they got to the airy traverse before the scramble down to the gully and footpath – often people abseil down this bit.

The climbers had only three torches between the nine of them.

Mr Lloyd said: “So the right decision to request for help was made.”

The rescue team was alerted about 6.30pm.

“Team members climbed up to them and then lowered them down to the footpath below,” Mr Lloyd said. “All were then taken to Oggi Base where they enjoyed hot food and tea at about 10.30pm.”

The rescue involved 18 volunteer team members and members of RAF Leeming Mountain Rescue Team.

On Monday, the team was again called out when a party of students took the wrong route off the top of Glyder Fach in darkness, heavy rain and poor visibility.

The four men completed a scramble on the mountain’s main face, but by the time they reached the summit, darkness had descended and instead of them taking their intended route back to the valley via the ridge of Y Gribin, they set off down the southern side of the mountain.

A team spokesperson said: “Realising their mistake they called for help.”

The Ogwen Valley rescuers responded about 9.10pm. The team leader encouraged them to continue carefully descending to the South and a team Land Rover with flashing blue lights was parked up near the Pen y Gwryd Hotel to guide them.

The spokesperson said: “Several hill parties were on the point of deploying when their lights were spotted low down on the mountain approaching the vehicle. One member met up with them and they were then driven back to their car in the Ogwen Valley.”

Monday’s rescue was the team’s 121st of the year.