The pair got lost near Castell y Gwynt. Photo: Mike Peel CC-BY-SA.2.5

A pair of lost walkers were rescued from a Snowdonia mountain after a night search lasting almost seven hours.

The man and woman called for help after losing their way on Glyder Fawr in bad visibility yesterday.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation was called out about 5.35pm when the walkers, from Liverpool, rang 999.

Chris Lloyd of the rescue team said: “A party of two took a route recently published in Trail magazine.

“They left the Ogwen Visitor Centre shortly after midday and climbed Tryfan.

“They descended to the Miner’s Track and ascended to near Llyn Caseg-fraith before heading up onto Glyder Fach.

“Unfortunately, the tops were covered with dense cloud all day.

“From Glyder Fach they headed for Castell y Gwynt, Glyder Fawr and finally Cwm Idwal.

“Unfortunately, while circumnavigating Castell y Gwynt – Castle of the Winds – they lost their route and ended up descending the southern side of the ridge towards Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel.

“Encountering steep ground and realising their error, they returned back up the ridge and into the boulder field by Castell y Gwynt.”

Mr Lloyd said they rang for help and then sheltered in their bivvy shelter from the stiff breeze and light showers.

“Phone reception was poor and Sarloc [the smartphone rescue application] didn’t work. They had given a description of their surroundings but this could have been a number of locations.

“Small search parties were deployed into Cwm Idwal and up the back wall where they divided toward Y Garn and Glyder Fawr.

“A third search party took the Miner’s Track from Pen-y-Gwryd. The couple were located near the top of Col Gully, adjacent Castell y Gwynt at about 10.45pm.”

He said the two walkers were in good condition so they were escorted down Col Gully to Cwm Bochlwyd and the Ogwen Valley. “They arrived at Oggie Base for hot tea and pizza at about midnight,” Mr Lloyd added.

The rescue involved 18 volunteer team members.