Glyder Fach and Bristly Ridge, centre, which the men were aiming for. Photo: Mike White CC-BY-SA-2.0

A walker died after falling 300ft from a Snowdonia mountain in an incident described by rescuers as a tragic accident.

The 23-year-old man was pronounced dead after being airlifted to hospital following a 100m fall from Glyder Fach yesterday.

The walker was with another 23-year-old on the 994m (3,261ft) mountain yesterday when the accident happened, late in the afternoon.

Chris Lloyd, of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation, which went to the Dorset men’s aid, said it was a very sad and tragic accident.

He said: “The two young men had been walking on the tops of Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach.

“The weather deteriorated during the day with cloud dropping to cover this vast moonscape plateau.

“They had been looking for the descent route – the screes by the side of Bristly Ridge – and found the top of East Gully on the Main Cliff by mistake.

“They started their descent down this steep and loose gully. I believe that they came to one steep step so they decided to use their rope to descend.

“Before the rope could be set up, the casualty had slipped and fallen some 100m down the gully, sustaining serious injuries.”

Mr Lloyd said two climbers on the cliffs below heard the incident and made their way across into the gully to find the casualty.

They realised the extent of the casualty’s injuries and telephoned 999 for help at about 5pm.

Mr Lloyd said: “OVMRO deployed a hasty team who climbed up into the cloud-covered lower reaches of the East Gully to the incident site by about 6.30pm.

“While the bulk of the team was gathering, the assistance of the RAF’s 22 Squadron and the RAF Valley Mountain Rescue Team was requested. This was going to be a long evening.

The summit plateau of Glyder Fach. Photo: Chris Andrews CC-BY-SA-2.0

“The yellow Sea King helicopter was on scene shortly afterwards and with some very careful flying was able to winch the two climbers and the casualty’s friend and bring them down to the comfort of Oggi Base and the care of team members.”

The main rescue party had by this time reached the site. “The casualty was placed on a stretcher, then lowered down the rocky bluffs below the gully and down the loose and slippery screes to the back of Cwm Bochlwyd,” he said.

“Fortunately, and thankfully, the yellow Sea King helicopter returned into the misty conditions of the cwm late in the evening and winched the casualty aboard.

“He was flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor. Here, he was pronounced dead.

“Team members made their way down in darkness back to Oggi Base for a late supper and reflection on the operation.”

Mr Lloyd said both young men seemed well equipped. “This seems a sad and tragic accident caused by a navigational error,” he added.

The rescue involved 28 members of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation and was the team’s 74th callout of the year.