An inquest into the death of a scout leader in Snowdonia has heard he was not properly equipped for the route he had chosen.

Christopher Oliver, 35, died after falling down a gully on Cader Idris, one of the area's highest mountains.

Mr Oliver was in Snowdonia on a scout trip from Devizes in Wiltshire last October.

Mountaineering experts told the inquest in Dolgellau the route Mr Oliver was attempting to use was not suitable for scrambling up the mountain.

Dave Williams, a Senior Warden with the Snowdonia National Park, said that to climb the gully successfully, Mr Oliver and his companion - scout Gareth Cole - should have been using ropes.

"You have got to know your own limitations and the background of the terrain you are going into," said Mr Williams, following the hearing.

The inquest heard the route they chose became a steep and technical rock climb, which required totally different skills to scrambling.

The pair had decided to leave the main party who were walking up a path to the summit of Cader Idris.

The school pupil said that part way through the climb he realized he had exceeded his capabilities and he became stuck, unable to go up or down.

Attempted to help

He said Mr Oliver was attempting to help when he fell.

The pair were rescued by mountain teams and Mr Oliver was airlifted to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, where he died of serious internal injuries.

Recording a verdict of misadventure, the North West Wales Coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said that with no guide book or local knowledge the pair inadvertently headed into terrain well known for being loose and dangerous.

Beyond capabilities

Mr Pritchard Jones said he was concerned that a young scout was taken into an area beyond his capabilities.

The Scout Association launched a national inquiry into mountain climbing safety rules after the death of Mr Oliver.

The tragedy happened exactly a week after a 10-year-old cub scout plunged 600ft to his death while walking close to the summit of Mount Snowdon.

Johnathan Attwell, a member of Kingswood Scout Troop, from Bristol, fell 600ft to his death while climbing the summit of Mount Snowdon.