RESCUERS CLEAN UP LAKE BED
TRAFFIC cones, glass bottles and a laptop were among items retrieved from a Snowdonia lake by volunteers from a mountain rescue team.
Also found was an old RAC sign that said “To the Beach” and a valid bank card.
More than 15 members of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation took part in the clean-up operation of Llyn Ogwen.
Team trustee Chris Lloyd said the items retrieved had been sorted out and disposed of appropriately.
He added the bank card and the laptop had been handed to the police.
The clean-up was part of an exercise to bring team members and the Ogwen’s 333 Supporters
Group back together again after 18 months of remote working and training.
Mr Lloyd said inspiration came from a number of road cones which had been placed on the A5 to control car parking and had been thrown into Llyn Ogwen. Further investigation of the lake showed a mass of discarded material on the lake bed.
“In addition, we wanted to demonstrate to the family of Alun Glyn Owen of the Bethesda Rugby Club, who drowned in a tragic accident at the end of 2020, how their generous donation had been invested in new inflatable rescue rafts.
“These have enhanced the flood rescue capability of Ogwen Valley mountain rescue team,”
said Chris.
The lake is relatively shallow with a maximum depth of no more than 10 feet.
The new rescue craft was launched at the west end of Llyn Ogwen and team members waded in the shallow waters and others “spotted” for items from the rafts.
Chris said: “Items were then retrieved by members using litter picking tongs and placed in bags, both provided by Keep Wales Tidy.
“Working in tandem with the rescue team members in and on the water, volunteers from the Snowdonia Society carried out one of their regular litter picks of the lake perimeter. These volunteers retrieved the usual freshly deposited items such as drinks cans and bottles despite having walked the shores recently. The bed of the lake also produced glass bottles, drinks cans and plastic containers.
Operating in tandem there was a small static display outside the Idwal Visitor Centre, where walkers and others could see some of the Mountain Rescue kit, talk to team members, make a donation towards the £130,000 that has to be raised every year and purchase team merchandise.
More than £800 was raised during the day.
Later in the day team members responded to a call-out to a man who had been taken ill on Y Garn.