Tribute to mountaineer who died in Snowdonia fall

Llew ap Gwent died after falling 300ft (90m)

An MP has paid tribute to a friend who died after falling 300ft (90m) whilst climbing in the Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia at the weekend.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Elfyn Llwyd said Llew ap Gwent had worked tirelessly in their home community near Bala, Gwynedd and will be "missed terribly".

Experienced climber Mr ap Gwent was scrambling with an organised group when he fell at around 1500 BST on Saturday.

An inquest into his death is expected to open later.

Mr ap Gwent was a former head teacher at Ysgol y Parc in the village of Parc close to his home at Llanuwchllyn, near Bala.

Experienced climber

Mr Llwyd said he had lived in the same village as Mr ap Gwent for over 30 years, and worked with him on various committees and in different societies.

He said Mr ap Gwent could always be depended on to do a job properly.

We will miss him terribly Elfyn Llwyn MP

"You just had to ask Llew and you knew it would be done", he said.

Over the past five weeks Mr ap Gwent had been canvassing for Plaid Cymru not just in the Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency but also in Aberconwy, Mr Llwyd added.

"It is an added sadness that this happened on the first day's break he had after all his hard work over the five weeks," said Mr Llwyd.

"He had told me that he had enjoyed the campaign very much this time, and had enjoyed being part of it," he added.

Mr Llwyd said Mr ap Gwent was an experienced mountaineer who was used to leading large parties on various trips "because of his knowledge and experience".

"What has happened is a shock of course, but because he was so careful and was used to leading large groups of children in the mountain, this is even more of a shock.

"We will miss him terribly," Mr Llwyd added.