Ben Nevis climb pair ‘may not be found until the spring’
MOUNTAIN rescuers fear it could be spring before they know the fate of missing climbers Tim Newton and Rachel Slater, as hopes for the couple fade.
The young couple have not been seen since Sunday when they set off on a Valentine’s Day climb on Ben Nevis.
Dozens of rescue workers have been searching the 4,409ft mountain, but efforts to trace the pair have been halted several times due to deteriorating weather.
Rescuers believe that experienced climbers Mr Newton, 27, and Miss Slater, 24, may have been caught in an avalanche.
But while their families remain hopeful that they will be found alive, rescuers now fear that it may be the spring before it is revealed where they are.
John Stevenson, the leader of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, said it could take a ‘ big thaw’ before the pair are located.
The team were again unable to search the UK’s highest mountain yesterday after it was feared that there could be another avalanche.
However, a rescue helicopter managed to get a brief weather window to conduct an aerial search of Ben Nevis in the afternoon. It was stood down later after there were no sightings.
Mr Stevenson said members of the rescue team had met Miss Slater’s parents, who are also experienced mountaineers, on Wednesday to discuss the operation.
He said: ‘It is obviously a very tough time for them. We explained what we have been doing. The weather today is again atrocious – it is snowing heavily, there is rain and the visibility is almost zero.
‘The avalanche risk is also a big danger still.
‘We still think there is a strong possibility Rachel and Tim have got caught up in an avalanche. We know where avalanches occur on the Ben, but when you get new snow on old snow continually, it is difficult to pinpoint it.
‘It just keeps piling up and then when it freezes it is almost impossible to tell where exactly it has happened.
‘We need a big thaw and a lucky break. The harsh reality is it may be some time before we get the thaw. We have had people missing for months and months.’
It is believed Mr Newton and Miss Slater, from Bradford in West Yorkshire, had been camping behind the Charles Inglis Clark memorial hut on the north side of Ben Nevis. Miss Slater’s parents have trav- elled to the area from Canada following her disappearance.
Yesterday the couple’s families issued a joint statement through Police Scotland, thanking those looking for the couple.
It read: ‘We are extremely grateful to members of the emergency services and search and rescue personnel who are searching for Rachel and Tim.
‘The overwhelming response from the public and the climbing community has greatly assisted the search effort and we appreciate all the support and words of encouragement.
‘As a family we urge anyone who was in the Ben Nevis area last weekend and may have seen or spoke to Rachel and Tim at any time to get in touch. We think Rachel was climbing in a turquoise jacket and purple helmet. Tim may have been wearing a red jacket, similar to the photo in circulation.
‘We’d also like to appeal to anyone planning to climb or hike in the area this weekend to be aware of the ongoing search activity and to report anything they feel may be relevant – even if i t appears insignificant.
‘As the search continues we remain hopeful Rachel and Tim will be found and reunited with their families and friends.’
Police Scotland inspector Donald Campbell, who is based in the Ben Nevis area, said: ‘As time progresses hopes do reduce but we remain hopeful and we’re very aware of the levels of experiences of both Rachel and Tim had in winter skills and mountaineering, and that gives us hope that there could be a positive outcome from this operation.’
On Wednesday, an avalanche on 3,710ft high Creag Meagaidh, 19 miles north- east of Ben Nevis, claimed the life of a climber, while another remains in a serious condition in hospital in Fort William.
‘We need a big thaw and a lucky break’