Two walkers rescued off Snowdon

The two men were winched into the helicopter

Two walkers rescued from Snowdon on Sunday night have been criticised by mountain rescuers.

Night vision goggles were used to locate the two, before they were winched to safety by an RAF helicopter.

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team chairman Dr Gwyn Roberts said the 19-year-old men from Dorset were "badly prepared and equipped".

He said the two were "lucky" to have escaped unharmed after becoming lost as they tried to walk down the mountain.

"This is a familiar story," said Dr Roberts.

"They had started off late in the day and had decided - to lighten their load they told us - to leave most of their equipment, including their map, in the car."

He said they were dressed in jeans, T-shirts and had no waterproof clothing, no shelter in case they were caught out overnight, no whistle, no food and "just a little to drink".

They are very lucky that they were unharmed, it could have been much worse Dr Gwyn Roberts, Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team

The men told mountain rescuers they had asked someone else what conditions were like on Grib Goch on Snowdon, but had got lost and had phoned for help after trying unsuccessfully for two hours to find their way down.

"We tried to talk them down, but when that proved unsuccessful we rang the RAF for assistance and they managed to winch them to safety," said Dr Roberts

He said 16 rescue team members had assembled at their base camp in case low cloud prevented the Sea King helicopter reaching the two men.

"Luckily the cloud lifted and the helicopter got to them, but it meant that 16 members of my team gave up their Sunday evening," he added.

Dr Roberts said the men told rescuers that they had prepared for the trip by "researching on the internet".

Night vision

"That is clearly not enough preparation, and people should have a map and compass and the ability to use them at least," he said.

"People should use their common sense and not take on too much, which had clearly happened in this case.

"They are very lucky that they were unharmed, it could have been much worse," he added.

Flight lieutenant Giles Ratcliffe from 22 Squadron RAF Valley said the two men were told to shine their torch towards the ground to enable the night vision goggles to be able to find them.

"This indirect light stands out well in the dark and does not adversely effect the night vision goggle picture," said Flt Lt Ratcliffe.

The helicopter's heat-imaging camera was also used, he added.