The couple were found at Llyn y Cŵn. Photo: Jeremy Bolwell CC-BY-SA-2.0

A couple were found sheltering on a Snowdonia mountain after they were reported missing.

A search and rescue dog and handler found the walkers, aged 45 and 54 and from Surrey, after a major search on the Glyderau range.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation was called out after friends reported the pair missing at 10pm yesterday.

Chris Lloyd of the rescue team said the couple were visiting north Wales for a week of mountain walking. He said they seemed experienced and well equipped but did not have crampons and ice axes.

“They set off midday to climb Y Garn then dropping to Llyn y Cŵn above the Devils Kitchen and then up to Glyder Fawr,” he said.

“This ascent was fraught with slopes of icy snowfields. After a slow and difficult ascent and in poor weather with low cloud, they decided to return to Llyn y Cŵn and descend via the Devils Kitchen path.

“The descent took some time. They could not find the correct and safe route down into Cwm Idwal because of the snow cover. So, they decided to find shelter and bivvy for the night.

“Unfortunately, they had no mobile phone signal so could not make their routine call to a friend back in Surrey. It was this friend who alerted North Wales Police.”

Mr Lloyd said police found the car in the Ogwen Valley and the rescue team was called out.

He said: “We had information that the couple had planned to be on the Glyder range so the search was centred on there.

“We deployed small search parties into Cwm Tryfan, Cwm Bochlwyd and Cwm Idwal as well as up the Miners Path from Pen y Gwryd Hotel.

“The night was lit by moonlight between large banks of dense cloud. There was an icy breeze. Without immediate success, it was decided to request 22 Squadron [from RAF Valley] to assist.

“They overflew the mountain range without success.”

Mr Lloyd said a Search and Rescue Dogs Association dog with the OVMRO team made a find at Llyn y Cŵn – appropriately Lake of the Dogs – above the Devils Kitchen.

“The couple were cold and glad to be found,” he added. “22 Squadron was able to winch them aboard at about 1.30am and deliver them to Oggie Base for a warm up and debrief, while team members walked back off the mountain.

“The couple were grateful for the rescue and embarrassed that the mountain rescue team had been called. They were equipped well enough to have survived a cold night and to have found their way down in daylight.”

Rob Johnson of Sarda Wales added: “Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation requested the assistance of the search dogs shortly after midnight to help find two walkers who were several hours overdue.

“The walkers had gone to ground in whiteout, blizzard conditions and were found taking refuge in a group shelter.

“The walkers had got lost, had no torch or crampons and had been out on the mountains for seven hours over their due return time.

“They were cold and tired but thanks to Sally and Spin, the OVMRO team members and 22 Squadron, who lifted them off the mountain, they are safe and well.”