Walkers in Eryri (Snowdonia) are tackling deadly peaks in inappropriate footwear, raising concerns about visitor preparedness.
On Christmas, rescuers left their families to save three lost walkers on Snowdon. These walkers lacked equipment and torches. In January, the team responded to eighteen calls, and winter isn’t even over yet.
Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue also had a busy start. By February 18, they had nineteen call-outs. Many of these calls could have been avoided. Some groups used apps for navigation, but couldn’t connect the apps to the terrain, and people blindly followed app tracks.
Eryri peaks appear beautiful in winter, but brutal conditions can easily trap people. Experienced climbers saw strange things on Snowdon. Some people wore inappropriate clothing; someone even wore Crocs and shorts! People with good shoes slipped near the top.
BBC Countryfile named three deadly mountains in the National Park. The Snowdon range had the most deaths, averaging eight deaths per year. More unprepared visitors now climb the mountain, but they aren’t typical outdoor enthusiasts.
BBC Countryfile listed Britain’s most dangerous mountains. Snowdon is first, with 1085m elevation and an average of eight deaths yearly. Ben Nevis comes second; Tryfan placed third. Scafell Pike is fourth, and Helvellyn ranks fifth. Crib Goch completes the list.
Snowdon attracts about 750,000 people yearly. Llanberis MRT is the busiest UK rescue team and they nearly burned out in 2023, recording 309 callouts that year. All six North Wales teams had 733 callouts. Many take the train, said BBC Countryfile, while others hike but lack gear or food.
Tryfan is another dangerous mountain, rising to 917m with two deaths per year. Hillary trained on Tryfan for Everest in 1953. Climbers avoid Snowdon’s crowds by going there. Tryfan is a challenging climb with no marked paths to the top, so people often get stuck.
One climber made a video about Tryfan’s issues as Tryfan accounted for 28% of OVMRO callouts in 2024. Reaching the top requires using your hands; it bridges hiking and mountaineering. Even the easiest route is a grade 1 scramble, so people get lost in gullies. A climber died in Y-Gully in May 2024, and another fell and died later.
Crib Goch is treacherous, especially in winter. Crib Goch is 923m high, and sees one to three deaths yearly. The knife-edge ridge terrifies people, and they freeze unable to move in some places. Others crawl along its spine on their knees. Only experienced climbers should go there in winter because wind is a major hazard. Crib Goch needs dry days with low wind. It’s a grade 1 scramble full of challenges. The 500m knife-edge ridge is very exposed, and loose rocks make it fatal.
Human error caused most callouts, according to a review. Bad weather was the third biggest reason. Inexperience, weather, and poor fitness also contribute. Poor visibility was another problem, and inadequate gear, footwear, and communication were factors.
OVMRO advises warm clothes, drinks, and food. Bring enough for delays on Eryri mountains. Consider your skills for the chosen route. Late starts cause many callouts. Start early if you can’t navigate in the dark. Select an easier route if you struggle, and always carry charged torches.