The team's rescue vehicle at the foot of the mountain. Photo: Aberdyfi SRT

The team's rescue vehicle at the foot of the mountain. Photo: Aberdyfi SRT

Rescuers were called out after a mysterious light was spotted on a Snowdonia mountain.

Members of Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team were alerted about 9.30pm on Wednesday.

The rescuers left their committee meeting to investigate when a resident in the Minffordd area reported seeing the light on Cadair Idris continuously since 5pm that evening, until lowering cloud obscured it about four hours later.

Team volunteer Graham O’Hanlon, who attended the incident, said: “Lights on the mountain are not that unusual, particularly at this time of year. When walkers are appropriately equipped with navigational tools and torches, they can enjoy the hills safely long after dark.

“However this light was situated away from the principal routes up and down the mountain, and although the weather was largely calm and bright, it not an obvious choice for wild camping.

“Unusually, in this instance the bright light was completely stationary and situated high above a farm at the foot of the mountain.”

Mr O’Hanlon said by the time the team was alerted it had been completely dark for some hours, but the light had continued to shine. “Team volunteers wisely started the investigations by establishing that all the shepherds and flocks were accounted for, and that nothing unusual was happening in the cowsheds, but all was calm.

“As the initial parties made their up the hill to investigate the source, the light, which up to this point had been wreathed in mist, cleared the cloud and shone on high.

“Having the first opportunity to see the light for ourselves, it became clear what we were looking at, and we were so surprised we needed to check it twice.

“Viewing the scene by binoculars we could see that on the very top of the ridge, overlooking the Tal-y-llyn pass, a couple of trees had been spruced-up with solar fairy lights. There was no one obviously present under the trees.

“We left the lights in place as they are not our property. Although they look nice, it is a little naughty to be leaving equipment like that on the mountain, and we will monitor the situation.

“We would hope that the lights are removed by 6 January, if only to stop the goblins coming!

“This incident turned out to be a well intentioned false alarm, but we are always happy to go and investigate concerns, and were quite amused by this one”

The incident, which involved 16 team volunteers, concluded shortly after midnight.

Some articles the site thinks might be related:

  1. Walkers receive strong advice after rescuers’ ‘total waste of time’ on Moel Siabod callout
  2. One climber dies and another seriously injured after Creag Meagaidh avalanche
  3. Helvellyn walkers rescued after getting stuck on Striding Edge
  4. Injured Arran walker found after spending 48 hours on mountainside
  5. Yorkshire Dales walker dies after collapsing at Gordale