Mountain rescue team ends busiest year helping stranded family of four

A mountain rescue team has said its 60th anniversary year was also its busiest on record.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue, based in Eryri National Park - also known as Snowdonia - capped 2025 by helping a stranded family of four.

In the team's 186th rescue of the year, they came to the aid of two adults and their two children, aged 12 and 15, who were stuck in wintry conditions on Pen yr Ole Wen.

The family had been descending the mountain in fading light when they came across a steep rock section they felt unable to pass, so five rescuers climbed up with warm clothing and torches before guiding the family back to safety.

"Normally, in good conditions, they'd have been able to negotiate that, but with a few pockets of ice and declining deteriorating light they thought it was too dangerous to attempt so they telephoned for assistance," rescuer Chris Lloyd told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

Lloyd, who been part of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue for almost 50 years, said demand had risen sharply since Covid.

"We have had, since the end of lockdown, more people coming out to the mountains. And a lot of people have little or no experience," he said.

He also warned that social media was providing greater publicity, but also contributing to risky behaviour.

"We note on social media people sort of advertising 'well I'm going up there, anyone want to join me'?

"And you have no idea whether this person's got any qualifications at all, or any leadership qualifications... and people are just meeting up and venturing into the blue yonder and sometimes it's beyond their capabilities and certainly beyond some of the equipment they've got, or lack of equipment."

Rescuers are also increasingly encountering hikers without suitable equipment.

"Basic trainers and going up in the mountains in shorts in bad weather is not a good idea," said Lloyd.

"And if you're venturing out into the great outdoors, do carry a torch and that's not just the one on your mobile phone."

Last October, during Storm Amy, winds of up to 86mph (140km/h) hit the Eryri village of Capel Curig.

A few miles along the valley, a solo walker had to be rescued from near the summit of Tryfan - a rugged mountain in the Ogwen range, which stands at more than 917m (3,000ft) - after setting off in shorts because "the weather didn't look that bad".

He was given warm clothing before being lowered down to safety using ropes.

Last year also saw two fatal falls in February, including the death of 28-year-old Maria Eftimova on Tryfan.

The team directs hikers to the Adventure Smart website for safety advice.

"It gives you some very good advice and also makes you just think 'what happens if something does go wrong?'

"Even the best people have accidents and misfortunes and so you should just be prepared for it and not just depend upon volunteers to come out at any time of day or night to just put you right."

Despite growing pressure on the volunteer team, Lloyd said they would always respond when lives were at risk.

"It is a passion to be part of an organisation which does what we do."