Dog’s ravine fall signals beginning of rescue rush
ADOG enjoying an Easter walk with its owner came to grief at one of the most photogenic waterfalls in north Wales.
As they negotiated the path from Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls), Gwynedd, the dog plunged into a deep ravine. Seeing his pet some 10-15 metres (almost 50ft) below, its owner descended to help and called for back-up.
Rhaeadr Fawr, which plummets dramatically from a height of 120ft, is one of the most visited waterfalls in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.
Responding to the call was the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO).
Team members headed straight for the ravine while others fetched technical equipment from the base in Capel Curig.
The dog and its owner were located and OVMRO members descended on ropes. The dog was then lifted to safety. He was said to be “bruised but OK”. The pair were then guided back up to a path before being helped back down to the main track.
The rescue marked the start of a hectic period for the team, with the number of callouts in 2024 soaring past 40 before the end of March.
Others were relatively routine, one involving a couple who, in windy conditions, were pushed off-route while descending Moel Siabod.
Finding themselves on steep terrain, they called for help.
Using Sarloc Rescue and Phonefind, an OVMRO team leader was able to guide them back to the main ridge footpath. Their progress was then monitored.
“A small team drove up to the top of the access track to meet the couple and return them to their vehicle before darkness fell,” said a team spokesperson.
A wider alert was sounded when a walker on Y Garn called to report a person apparently huddled in a bivvy bag on a crag below.
Due to the steep terrain, they were unable to reach the bivvy bag.
OVMRO was scrambled at the same time that colleagues were dealing with the dog at Rhaeadr Fawr.
Heading out to investigate, team members linked up with RAF Mountain Rescue Service to form a small hill party.
A coastguard helicopter was also tasked.
A spokesperson said: “The helicopter located two uninhabited bivvy bags that may have been blown out of people’s hands, but no sign of anyone needing help. The hill party continued up to retrieve the bags.”
Another callout involved a solo female walker in difficulties on the summit of Glyder Fach.
Despite a poor phone signal, it was established she had intended to descend via Y Gribin but she had been deterred by poor visibility.
OVMRO said: “A team headed up Cwm Tryfan to start a search and were surprised to bump into the casualty at the stile at the top of Tryfan Bach. After a great effort, she had managed to find her way to Bristly screes and then down into Cwm Tryfan – but had no signal to update us.”
More callouts are expected over the Easter break.