2 teens in hill drama
Rescued from Ben Ledi
Two teenagers from Rutherglen were at the centre of a dramatic mountain rescue last week.
The pair, who have not been named, became stranded in the Trossachs during bad weather on Saturday, April 2.
Killin Mountain Rescue Team rushed to the aid of the hillwalkers after they found themselves lost in mist and wet weather conditions on Ben Ledi, near Callander, at around 6pm.
Volunteers conducted a sweep search and a male and female, both 19, were finally located safe and well at 9.30pm.
They were then evacuated from the mountain by an all-terrain-vehicle and returned to their car, wet but unhurt, around an hour later.
A spokesperson for Killin Mountain Rescue Team said: “They had been caught out by a sudden change in weather.
“After speaking to them, the team identified the area they were stranded in and a sweep search located them safe and well.
“They [ the hillwalkers] did the right thing. Visibility was very poor and the area to the north of Ben Ledi is difficult to navigate in mist without a map and compass.
“They called for help and remained where they were until help arrived.”
The spokesperson added: “Smartphone batteries can fail very quickly – especially in the cold.
“It is good practice to have one person in a party switch their phone off to be available should an emergency arise on a trek.”
Inspector Gerry McMenemy of Callander Police said: “We had a report of two hillwalkers lost on Ben Ledi in poor weather conditions.
“Killin Mountain Rescue Team carried out a search and rescue operation and located the hillwalkers and returned them to safety.
“On behalf of the police, I would like to say that we are completely appreciative of the selfless assistance of volunteers from Killin Mountain Rescue Team.”
Ben Ledi is 879 m (2884 ft) high and is classified as a ‘Corbett’. It was mentioned in Sir Walter Scott’s famous interpretation of The Lady in the Lake.
Do you know the folk who had to be rescued?
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Smartphone batteries can fail quickly