Mountainsafe North Wales – Advisory Message Following Recent Rescues By Llanberis MRT, January 2017
“Wise people learn from the mistakes of others”
After a busy recent period Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team identified a common theme and wished to pass on guidance and advice so those intending to visit our mountains during the current ‘cold snap’ can do so safely.
George Jones, Secretary of the by the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team is appealing to the hundreds of walkers aiming for the summit of Snowdon at the beginning of 2017. He said “ The Team had its busiest year on record in 2016 and during the first two days of the new year there have been four lengthy call outs to attend to inappropriately and ill-prepared groups. Winter conditions have returned to the summits; freezing weather and snow and ice covering the footpaths thus making most journeys much slower and more treacherous. It is vital to consider that walking in such conditions requires the use of crampons and ice axes and the short days of winter often requires the use of torches to complete the journey.
“In order to enjoy the mountains in winter it’s necessary to prepare for arctic weather conditions and short days, this is second nature to the experienced walker. However, some of the four groups recovered over the last couple of days would have done well to have started much earlier in the day in order to allow sufficient daylight to complete their walk. In one instance on Sunday night had the group of four carried proper torches rather than depend on a single mobile phone light between them they would not have required the assistance of ten Team members for three hours.
“A second incident on Monday afternoon involved a person slipping on the icy path close to the summit of Snowdon and suffering a serious arm injury. This type of accident might well have been avoided by wearing crampons to traverse the ice. The rescue was delayed by adverse weather conditions high on the mountain but the casualty was eventually recovered after four hours by team members ferried by the rescue helicopter and taken to hospital in Bangor”.
John Grisdale the Team’s Vice Chairman reiterate the need for a healthy portion of caution whilst venturing to the summits. “ I’d encourage visitors to enjoy the magnificent mountains of Snowdonia in winter but have the wisdom to respect them and to do so safely by preparing carefully, checking the weather conditions, carrying the appropriate winter equipment and have the knowledge to use them and finally allow sufficient time to accomplish the journey”.
“During a very busy few days when many members were enjoying the festive holiday period and committed to other events the volunteer members of the Llanberis Rescue Team have been grateful for the support offered by members from Ogwen and Aberglaslyn Teams and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter based at Caernarfon airport.”
National Police Chief’s Council lead on Search and Rescue, Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard at North Wales Police said. ‘Mountain Rescue Teams are made up of volunteers who have a very difficult and challenging role and we are indebted to work they carry out and the lives they help save. However we can all help and I’d simply ask that if you’re intending to visit our hills and mountains please take a little time to check the weather and conditions first and go fully prepared & fully equipped to enjoy them safely and select a route that matches your skill level, particularly during this cold period.”
The MountainSafe Partnership consists of the Snowdonia National Park Authority, North Wales Police, Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, The British Mountaineering Council, Mountain Training Wales, North Wales Mountain Rescue Association, RAF 22 Squadron and Snowdonia Active.
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