A climber has been winched to safety by helicopter after breaking his leg in an avalanche on Snowdon, one of the UK's highest mountains. The man, part of a climbing group, was caught in the avalanche while exploring a gully on the mountain in north Wales.
Mountain rescue volunteers, RAF and coastguard helicopters, and specially trained search dogs were scrambled to the scene as darkness fell on Wednesday. The Llanberis mountain rescue team initially retreated due to concerns about further avalanches, taking a longer but safer route to reach the party. Uninjured climbers abseiled to meet the rescuers.
In fading light and deteriorating weather, the coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon manoeuvred into position and winched the injured man, who has not been named, into the aircraft. The Llanberis rescue team said: “The team were called to a climbing group who had been avalanched in Trinity Right Hand gully, one of the party sustaining a lower leg injury.”
Urging caution, the team warned of significant snow accumulation and windslab development, with more snow forecast and cold temperatures. They advised climbers to carry extra warm clothing, crampons and ice axes, and to use compasses and printed maps rather than relying on electronic devices for navigation.
A specially trained avalanche dog called Cluanie from the Search and Rescue Dogs Association in Wales was also called in to help in case of further avalanches.
