The North Ridge of Tryfan. Photo: David Crocker CC-BY-SA-2.0

A couple were rescued from a Snowdonia mountain after getting stuck when they strayed on to a climbing route.

The pair, from Dorset, called for help after becoming cragfast on Tryfan’s North Ridge yesterday.

Police called out Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation and 17 volunteer team members took part in the operation to help the scramblers.

The couple were eventually airlifted from the mountain as darkness approached.

Chris Lloyd of the Ogwen Valley team said the couple were on holiday in north Wales and were well equipped for their trip up the 918m (3,010 ft) peak. Conditions were fine, he added.

“When they reached the North Tower, they felt it was too much of a challenge.

“Being unsuccessful in finding an alternative route, they strayed onto the West Face and started a descent, until they could descend no more, or retreat from whence they had descended.”

Mr Lloyd said at first the team could not make phone contact with the stranded pair.

“A hasty team spotted them high on the West Face on a route called Notch Direct.

“It was felt that by the time they had been accessed and a rope system set up to extract them, darkness might be upon them.

“The RAF’s 22 Squadron [from Valley] accepted the sympathetic plea for helicopter assistance.

“The two were winched to safety and delivered to Oggie Base at about 7.30pm.

It was the team’s 46th incident of the year.

Mr Lloyd added: “It was just one of those things which happen.”