Two men got into difficulties after retreating on Tryfan's North Ridge. Photo: Richard Webb CC-BY-SA-2.0

Mountain rescuers were called out twice to a Snowdonia mountain after climbers and scramblers got into difficulties.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation responded after walkers reported hearing shouts for help on Sunday while
walking down Cwm Tryfan, below the East Face of Tryfan.

Chris Lloyd of the rescue team said: “They were invited to Oggi Base to give a briefing on what they had heard and where.

“Team members were deployed with binoculars but daylight was already failing fast.

“As no 999 call had been received from a distressed party, it was decided to deploy a couple of team members up to the East Face. Between the spotters and the team members, they determined that there were climbers high up towards the South Peak.

“The team members made their way to Bwlch Tryfan where they could see a party descending into Cwm Bochlwyd. Eventually, they met the party, who declared that they were probably the party.

“The two men from Warwick University had set off earlier in the day to climb Munich Climb on the East Face.

“They had lost some time trying to locate the route, and looking at conditions – a dusting of light snow and hail on the tops – they elected to climb Gashed Crag, an easier route.

“However, while climbing, they wandered off the route until becoming stuck.

“Fortunately, there were a couple of rock-climbers above. They shouted down ‘Do you want help?’ A rope was lowered and the two were brought up to safety.”

Meanwhile, their friends waiting in the minibus to head back to Coventry called 999 to say two hillwalkers were overdue returning from the mountain.

“Fortunately, two and two were put together to make just two, who were brought down to the car park at Idwal Cottage and then driven by team Land Rover to their minibus further along the A5.”

Mr Lloyd added: “This was a well intentioned callout and one where fellow climbers were able to help each other.”

The Ogwen team was called out to Tryfan again on Monday when two men attempting to descend the mountain’s North Ridge without torches ran out of daylight.

Mr Lloyd said: “The two men in their 50s and from Northamptonshire had decided to climb the North Ridge, a challenge which neither had done before.

“They made slow progress up to the North Tower, where they had a route finding problem.

“They opted for the Eastern Traverse, but were not sure about that either, so wisely decided to return whence they
came.

“However, while ascending the North Ridge, all paths lead to the summit. But while descending, paths and goat tracks seem to lead everywhere and many of them lead to danger.

“By 4pm, they realised that they still had a long way to go and with fading light they wisely called for assistance.”

Mr Lloyd said team members acted as spotters from the A5 while two team members made their way up the North Ridge.

“The two men were located in no man’s land high above the Milestone Buttress,” he said.

“They were given torches and escorted safely down to the A5 and eventually to the warmth and comfort of Oggi base.

“While one man will be asking Father Christmas for a headtorch, the other will be remembering to put his back in his
rucksack after using it on Bonfire Night.

“Again, a correct callout after the two had realised their predicament. This avoided a possible accident in darkness a few
hours later.”