The walkers were rescued from the southern face of Ben Nevis. Photo: Richard Allaway ![[CC-2.0]](/lib/img/layout/cc-attr.gif)
A group of walkers caught out in ‘horrendous’ weather on Britain’s highest mountain were extremely lucky to survive, rescuers said.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team said the four people were found on steep ground in Coire Eòghainn, about 150m below the summit of Ben Nevis.
The walkers had no crampons or ice-axes and three of the men were wearing trainers. The team said it believed the group did not have a map.
The Lochaber team was called out on Monday in a major operation involving 22 volunteer members. The rescuers faced blizzard conditions and very strong winds to reach the four walkers stuck in the south-facing corrie.
The wind-chill on the 1,345m (4,413ft) mountain was -20C.
The Inverness Coastguard helicopter also flew to the area but its crew was restricted in its operations by the severe weather.
Lochaber MRT found one of the group and then about 4.15pm the three other walkers were located on the mountainside.
A team spokesperson said they were ‘extremely lucky people’. “Three of the guys were in trainers! They were about 150m down into Coire Eòghainn on steep ice and if they had slipped or gone down any further consequences could have far more serious.
“Fair does to the guys as they did survive in some of the most challenging weather this year. Could have so easily ended up so different.”
The casualties were brought down to Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe – the Halfway Lochan – from where the Coastguard helicopter airlifted them to Belford Hospital in Fort William.
The Lochaber MRT spokesperson said: “Fantastic effort by the team members to find them and get them down safely. The boss is letting the team members from summit team have an extra sugar in their tea and a ginger nut each now.”
The rescue ended about 7.30pm.
The spokesperson added: “Thanks to [helicopter] R151 for assistance and some great flying to get casualties lifted from Halfway Lochan.”
Penelope Anne Trevose-Clowe
11 February 2020What wonderful brave people the mountain rescue teams are - Please can there be more warnings for those about to take to the hills and mountains to wear appropriate gear .We live on an island people seem to forget - the weather always unpredictable and its so wrong to put other lives at risk by not taking sensible precautions .Penelope Trevose-Clowe
Leonard Johnson
11 February 2020What ever warnings are put out there, we will find that there are always STUPID people out there. It is common sense really.
Doddy
11 February 2020LATS is good = Look At The Sky.
I do hope these folk learn.It is as brave to turn around as it is to go on.
Before you go from A to B discuss what you do if C or D happens; not in a huddle in the middle of nowhere.
Common sense comes with experience.
Unfortunately these days younger folk often go from school>college>office and do not experience the wider world/people; only learn from their peers and parents of much the same ilk.
Like many of my generation, I worked outside for many years mostly with people who were in WW2 and had seen life in the raw. The rest of my working life I was 50% or so outside and have always been a keen weather watcher.
Marion Boyle
11 February 2020Rambler magazine many years ago published what seemed at the beginning to be simply an account of a weekend in the hills - it was only at the end that you realised it was more than that. As you read of each decision made you thought "Yep, I'd do that too" and then at the end - wham! - it all went horribly wrong. It could do with being reprinted as a reminder that some of those being rescued are idiots, others are normally careful and just made a series of unlucky decisions. (I think the story was by Bob Barton)
L Atkinson
11 February 2020People who put the lives of Mountain Rescue Teams or Lifeboat Crews at risk unnecessarily should be fined.
Margaret
12 February 2020Whatever argument or justification used by various bodies and government agencies, people are being 'encouraged' to venture into hazardous mountain environments and the unintended consequences of that 'encouragement' appear to have been given little consideration.
MRDog
13 February 2020It's worth looking at the subsequent very measured response of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team on its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/lochabermrt
MRDog
13 February 2020Armchair warriors would do well to read the subsequent very measured and balanced statement by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team on its Facebook page.
Rod Fillingham
13 February 2020Full respect to MRT, yet again going way beyond for the sake of others.
Martin Harrison
13 February 2020#MRDog
"Armchair warriors"?? What a stupid expression you've used there. People are only giving their opinion on something and, for the most part they're right.
Jeff Breen
14 February 2020A lot of people expressing opinions have obviously never been near a mountain, and are basing there views on incorrect knowledge and information.