One of the walkers was injured ascending Pen yr Ole Wen. Photo: Eric Jones CC-BY-SA-2.0

Midsummer’s night turned out to be anything but a dream for a Snowdonia mountain rescue team, whose members were faced with two simultaneous calls for help.

The Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation was first called out about 11pm after a party of six on the final leg of tackling the Welsh 3,000-footers got lost while coming down Foel-fras.

Chris Lloyd of the team said: “The cloud was low and there were some blustery gusts, but the weather was still relatively mild.

“However, despite managing all 15 summits over 3,000ft, sadly this party had become disorientated on the final descent.

“The team was called out to hatch a plan as to where these guys might be and to escort them to safety.

“Unfortunately, 30 minutes later, before the plan could be put into operation, the team was called for a party of four men on or near the exposed summit of Pen yr Ole Wen.

“One had banged his knee on the slog up the south ridge from Ogwen. Despite taking some painkillers, he could progress no further.

“The four took shelter from the increasing strong and chilling winds in a small scoop behind a flat rock. This incident took priority.”

Mr Lloyd said in the meantime, the six lost on Foel-fras met another group who helped them find their own way to safety.

He said a hasty party of four Ogwen team members set off up the east ridge of Pen yr Ole Wen.

“The wet rocks and, by now, strong gusts slowed progress,” he said.

“In the wee hours, the casualty and his three male colleagues from Manchester were located on that featureless summit.

“After cladding them with the Paramo smocks, filing them with hot coffee and providing them with better torches a casualty evacuation plan was made.

“The knee injury was treated with more painkillers, as the only way off this mountain at this time, was by walking. It was decided to return down the east ridge in preference to the steep, broken and loose south ridge.

“The north-west ridge towards Bethesda, although easier under foot, would be directly into the gale. The party made good time, arriving at Glan Dena before 5am.

“Although it had been light for over an hour, the low cloud scurrying over the tops prevented us from seeing this spectacular lunar display.

“After hot drinks, hot soup and a warm up in front of the wood burner at Oggie Base, the party of four was taken to one of their cars, strategically parked high above Bethesda.

“This was an unfortunate incident. The casualty made a valiant effort to walk down. I hope that their sponsors recognise this effort and pay up for the full amount.”