The Coastguard helicopter in action during the rescue. Photo: Llanberis MRT

Rescuers are warning hillgoers in Snowdonia that winter has returned to the area’s mountains.

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team said walkers heading for north Wales’s peaks should plan their outings carefully.

It follows a rescue on Monday when a couple rang for help from Snowdon. The pair reported themselves distressed by the weather conditions and unsure of their location.

Team members were joined by the Caernarfon Coastguard helicopter in the operation to bring the walkers to safety.

After February’s unseasonably warm and benign weather, conditions in Snowdonia are now more typical of the time of year.

A team spokesperson said: “Snowdon in winter is a very different proposition and you should always carry additional warm clothing together with crampons and ice-axe which are essential items if the routes to the summit are covered in ice or snow.

“Batteries don’t like the cold so you should consider carrying spares and not rely too heavily on electronic mapping or phone as your only method of navigation.

“Low-tech is good so carry a compass and paper map and have the knowledge of how to use them. Please check the up-to-date mountain weather forecast and conditions.

“Current conditions reports can be found by following Eryri Warden report on Twitter or checking the mountain weather forecasts provided by the Met Office and BBC Wales News.”

The rescue was the Llanberis team’s 16th of the year.

Links to mountain-specific weather forecasts can be found on grough’s links page.