'Tragedy' of mountain fall death

John Evans was a very experienced climber and mountaineer

A mountain rescue team has paid tribute to a member who died after falling whilst rock climbing in Snowdonia.

John David Evans, 54, was with team members from Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue on a social climb in Llanberis Pass on Tuesday.

Chris Lloyd, from the team, said it was a 'tragedy' Mr Evans should die so young on the mountains he loved.

He added tributes were coming in from around the world, as Mr Evans travelled extensively using his mountain skills.

Mr Evans, a team member since 1973, suffered severe head injuries after falling a 'considerable distance' during the fall on Tuesday.

He was flown by RAF helicopter to hospital in Bangor but doctors were unable to save his life.

Tributes

"John was a true professional in his fields, a real stalwart and the man to have with you when the going got tough on the mountains," he added.

He said tributes to John were being sent from around the world.

"He will be really missed by all those who knew him.

"It is a great tragedy that the man who did so much to assist those in trouble in the mountains for 36 years should lose his life at such an early age and on the mountains he loved," he added.

Mr Evans was originally from Wrexham and got his taste for the mountains when he came on a trip whilst with the Scouts, said Mr Lloyd.

Alaska

He joined Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation in May 1973.

Through the team he met members of the United States Air Force Pararescue team, or PJs as they are known.

Mr Evans (standing) in his 'beloved' Alaskan mountains.

He later left Wales for the USA to join them.

"He then travelled the world with them for the next 12 years or so and through them was introduced to the big mountains in Alaska," said Mr Lloyd.

After leaving USAF he started as a mountain guide in the Alaskan mountains, and was introduced to the Alaskan Mountain Ranger Service and high altitude Mountain Rescue on Denali (Mount McKinley).

"John would spend six months of the year in Alaska, much of it up at the high altitude Ranger Rescue camp at 14,000 feet, and then he'd return to his home in Capel Curig, Conwy," said Mr Lloyd.

His work as an instructor in mountain rescue technical rope work, wilderness first aid and search management took him all over the UK and as far afield as South Africa and Hong Kong, he added.

Mr Evans leaves two children, David, 22, and Rhiannon, 18.

"He loved taking them on mountain adventures from when they were very young," said Mr Lloyd.

His partner, Lynne, was climbing with Mr Evans at the time of the accident, he added.