Ice climbers scale frozen waterfall in the Beacons

MOUNTAINEERS have been donning their climbing equipment and scaling a frozen waterfall in the Brecon Beacons.

This waterfall, near Pen y Fan, completely froze over earlier this week, after temperatures plummeted across the UK.

Yesterday, South Wales bore the brunt of the cold snap, with some areas seeing nearly half a metre of snow.

But ice climbers made their way to Brecon Beacons National Park to take advantage of the rare phenomenon yesterday morning.

Using specialist ice axes and crampons, the climbers made their way up the icy incline to the river above.

The frozen waterfall also made headlines earlier this week as the UK braced itself for the worst of the cold weather.

But wintry scenes like this one could soon be a memory for most across Wales – as temperatures were forecast to rise from yesterday afternoon.

Average temperatures across the country were expected to be around 5°C yesterday, but on higher ground those could still have been in the minuses.

A yellow “be aware” weather warning for ice remains in place for the whole of Wales from 11am yesterday until the same time today.

Driving conditions may remain difficult, as icy stretches are likely to remain, particularly on untreated roads.

BBC Wales weatherman Derek Brockway said: “Rain over south west England is heading towards Wales.

“Some of this will fall as sleet and snow as it moves north into colder air. Ice a hazard with rain falling onto frozen ground.”