The climbers were helped to safety after getting stuck on Tryfan

Three climbers were rescued from a Snowdonia mountain in a night-time operation lasting more than four hours.

The two men and a woman, all from the Ipswich area, called for help after their abseil rope jammed while retreating from a climb on Tryfan yesterday, Saturday.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation went to the aid of the trio who were cragfast on the lower reaches of the First Pinnacle Rib on the mountain’s East Face.

Chris Lloyd of the rescue team said the two men and one woman, who were visiting the area for the weekend, set off late in the morning to climb the route. One of the men was a novice, climbing with two experienced rockclimbers.

He said: “They seem to have taken some time to find the route and started up it mid-afternoon with three on the rope.

“At the Yellow Slab, they were soaked by a torrential shower which fell at about 7pm.

“They decided to return to Heather Terrace and come back another day.

“Unfortunately, their one rope became jammed on an abseil. They were unsuccessful releasing it and decided that they might be able to scramble down the route.

“While one man made it to Heather Terrace, the other two were concerned for their safety due to the wet rock at lowering light levels.

“The 999 call was made. A party of 10 troops was despatched up the Heather Terrace. The man on the footpath was walked down with team members whilst three members climbed the route to the two.”

OVMRO members used a rope lower the two about 70m to the terrace, where they walked down with team members. The incident ended about 2am today.

Mr Lloyd added: “It was unfortunate that they were caught in such a heavy shower as the evening turned out to be glorious: stars, moon, no wind and mild.

“It was unfortunate that the rope jammed. These things happen.”

The rescue was the team’s 77th this year.