4 RESCUED FROM ERYRI MOUNTAIN
Third operation in a week sparks renewed warning from emergency response team
RESCUERS have issued an urgent Eryri [Snowdonia] path warning after four people had to be winched to safety after getting stuck on Tryfan. Volunteers from Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation were called to the mountain on Saturday. In a post on Facebook, the team said two couples had intended to climb Tryfan, with one of the group having summited before.
They added: “It became apparent that the group had underestimated their ability on steep ground and lost their way, descending into North Gully, then back down the eastern traverse.
“Arriving back on to the north ridge, they made the mistake of heading straight down the west face into V Cleft, where one of the group became unable to continue through fear, and an injured knee.
“Two of the group regained the north ridge and were able to descend and call for help and a hasty party set off.”
In the meantime, 13 members of a university climbing group also wandered down into V cleft, where they met the two casualties and left two of their own group there, who were also unhappy to try to climb down.
The rescue team said: “Somehow the rest of the group made it down to safe ground where the hasty party bumped into them and learnt about the extra casualties.
“A larger party with stretcher and rope rescue equipment now set off and helicopter support from Maritime and Coastguard Agency was requested, the local crew was already on call so R912 from Humberside was sent.
“Working with the hill party, the helicopter crew carried out a lengthy winching operation and successfully lifted all four casualties before dropping them at base for a debrief.”
With three rescues in a week in the same area, the OVMRO warned: “There is no real route ‘straight to the car park/road’ from the north ridge with the exception of western gully.
“We still aren’t sure how the group made it to safe ground, especially with only two torches between 13.
“If you are unsure of where you are descending, stop and reassess, call for help before you end up in technical terrain you could fall from.
“Hopefully everyone had a learning experience they can put to good use in the hills next time.”