Mountain rescuers' 'frustration'

Walkers and climbers in Snowdonia are warned to check the weather

Rescuers have spoken of their frustration after they saved three students stuck about 300ft (90m) up a mountain above Bethesda, Gwynedd.

Ogwen Mountain Rescue Team member Chris Lloyd said it was another example of people setting off without proper equipment or checking the weather.

Team members bought the men down in the dark before they were warmed up with soup at the team's base.

The men were spoken to by the team leader before being allowed home.

They should have checked the weather forecast, should have had two ropes and should have set off earlier Chris Lloyd, Ogwen Mountain Rescue Team

Mr Lloyd said the three set off in the early afternoon on an easy climb on Idwal slabs above Bethesda.

"They only had one rope, however, which slowed their climb. They went off route and were caught by hailstones, heavy rain and strong wind, and they became stuck 300ft up."

The alarm was raised by the men three hours after they set off, said Mr Lloyd, and 12 Ogwen team members were involved in the rescue.

"After they were warmed up they were spoken to by the team leader who was frustrated," added Mr Lloyd.

"They should have checked the weather forecast, should have had two ropes and should have set off earlier.

"They did realise the error of their ways, however, and did the right thing by raising the alarm as it got dark."

Mr Lloyd said the weather was forecast to be "awful" for the next few days and warned people again to check conditions before they set out.

"They should also be aware that it gets dark early, especially during bad weather," he added.