Walkers trapped on Cader Idris in atrocious weather saved in seven-hour rescue operation

The man, who was slipping in out of of consciousness, had to be taken off Cader Idris by helicopter along with three of his companions in an operation involving more than 30 mountain rescue volunteers.

Rescuers said the decisions the walkers made on the mountain almost cost them their lives.

Call handlers from Aberdyfi Search & Rescue Team were made aware of a group of four walkers in difficulty close to the 2,930 ft (893m) summit of Cader Idris at 3.45pm on Sunday. They had been part of a larger group but some had turned back before reaching the summit.

Graham O'Hanlon, team spokeperson, said: "The others pressed on despite poor visibility, strong winds, heavy rain and hail storms. One started to succumb to hypothermia and was unable to continue. At this point the group called for assistance.

"A team member, out walking for the day, had by chance stumbled into the group. He helped protect the deteriorating male from the harsh weather. The casualty's three companions also began to deteriorate and the decision was made to direct them to the shelter at the summit."

Requests for assistance were made to South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team and the Coastguard helicopter, Rescue936.

However the helicopter could not reach the men because of the bad weather and instead took a rescue party part of the way up the south side of the mountain.

Meanwhile a second group backed up by two stretcher parties made their way on foot up the Pony Path from Ty Nant.

The helicopter then brought the men down in two separate runs.

Mr O'Hanlon explained: "Team members assessed the first casualty while having been given dry warm clothes, food and warm drinks, the party of three were collected from the summit hut.

"They emerged from the cloud-base first and were transported down the rest of the way by Rescue936. The helicopter returned to pick up the stretcher party, and some skilful flying meant that the stretcher could be winched onboard."

"The mountains can be enjoyed in a wide variety of conditions with the right equipment skills and preparation, and with the flexibility to alter plans when conditions are not as expected. Hypothermia is not just a condition brought on by snow and ice, and this group was evidently not equipped for the well forecast conditions they encountered. The choices made that day came close to costing one person, and possibly all four, their lives."

It comes four months after the same rescue team was called out to Cader Idris twice in two days to incidents just hundreds of metres apart.

An injured man was taken off the mountainside by helicopter, while a father and son were walked down after turning around near the summit due to the bad weather.

And in 2020 players and coaches from a rugby club in Kent had to be rescued after getting stuck on Cader Idris while taking part in a Wales Three Peaks challenge.