The walker became cragfast on Crib Goch. Photo: Steve Cadman CC-BY-SA-2.0

Rescuers were called out to aid walkers stuck on a Snowdonia ridge for the second time in less than a fortnight.

Two men were winched from Crib Goch on Boxing Day after calling for help when they got stuck in icy conditions.

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team was alerted by North Wales Police about 1.35pm on Tuesday after the men became cragfast on the south-eastern flank of the ridge on the Snowdon range.

A team spokesperson said: “A Maritime and Coastguard Agency helicopter was called in to help with the recovery of the two men.

“Due to the icy conditions and dangerous location of the men on the mountain, the helicopter picked up team members and winched them to just above the two casualties. The team members then climbed down to them and with some rope work they were made safe.”

A Coastguard spokesperson said the pair were on a precarious ledge. “The walkers were not properly equipped for the terrain but thankfully had sustained no injuries.

“Due to the walkers’ precarious position, the search and rescue helicopter based at Caernarfon flew in three members of the Llanberis MRT to secure the walkers with ropes before the helicopter could attempt to winch them.

“Once the casualties were safely onboard they were airlifted to the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team base. The Coastguard helicopter then returned to pick up the three mountain rescue team members who we must say had done an extraordinary job – all captured on film.

“Remember to be prepared, think safety first and don’t put yourself in any unnecessary danger if venturing into the Welsh or Scottish mountains.

“You should also tell a friend or family of their intentions in case you should later require the services of mountain rescue experts and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter service.

“UK mountains should not be underestimated as they can be unforgiving for even the most experienced. Severe weather conditions could mean a change your environment within minutes and navigation could become difficult.

“Whiteout snow conditions could also make paths and tracks dangerously impassable.”

The rescue follows a similar incident earlier in December when a cragfast walker was winched from Crib Goch in icy conditions and poor visibility.

The Boxing Day rescue lasted two hours and involved eight volunteers from Llanberis MRT.

The Coastguard footage shows the rescue site and the walkers being winched into the helicopter.