The woman fell on Craig yr Isfa. Photo: Terry Hughes CC-BY-SA-2.0

A woman was flown to hospital after falling 50ft while soloing a climbing route in Snowdonia.

The 60-year-old, from north-east Wales, had just begun scrambling up the 250m (800ft) Amphitheatre Buttress on Craig yr Isfa on the eastern face of Carnedd Llewelyn on Saturday when she slipped.

The woman took a tumbling fall on to scree from her position about 15m up from the start of the route.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Association was called out about 12.45pm on Saturday and, because of the remote location of the incident and the possibility of serious spinal injuries to the climber, the team requested the help of the crew of a Sea King search and rescue helicopter from RAF Valley on Anglesey.

Chris Lloyd of the rescue team said: “En route to the scene, the helicopter picked up team members including the team doctor.

“After treatment and stretcher loading, the casualty was lowered down the steep scree to a location from where the helicopter could winch.

“The casualty was flown directly to Ysbyty Gwynedd while her colleague walked from the mountain with the mountain rescue team members. The state of the casualty is unknown, but it is believed that her injuries are not as serious as they could have been in this situation.”

The incident was part of a busy weekend for the team, 10 of whose volunteer members were taking part in swiftwater training.

Later on Saturday, they were called to Tryfan where two men from the Bangor area got stuck while scrambling on the mountain’s West Face.

Ogwen Valley MRO was called about 2pm. Mr Lloyd said neither man seemed equipped or experienced for the venture.

“As they ascended into the V cleft they experienced difficulties and the fact that one had sprained his wrist added complications,” Mr Lloyd said.

“They telephoned 999 for assistance using the only piece of equipment that they had carried.

“They had no knowledge of their whereabouts, so initially they had to be located. Four team members then climbed above them. The two were then lowered to safe ground and safely escorted off the mountain.”

On Friday, the team went to the aid of a man who twice lost his daughter while walking on the Glyderau.

The 25-yeaer-old woman from Birmingham was with her father on a training trip for an upcoming Three Peaks charity walking challenge.

Mr Lloyd said: “They had traversed Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr in perfect weather conditions and descended to Llyn y Cŵn above the Devil’s Kitchen.

“They both started the descent on the footpath into the back of Cwm Idwal, but somehow lost each other.

“The father waited for some time and asked other passing walkers if they had seen her. Finally, he made the 999 call and the team deployed a hasty team.

“A message was left on their car. The woman was soon located on the footpath between the Idwal Slabs and the Devils Kitchen. Her father was informed and asked to continue down to her.

“After about 10 minutes of awaiting his arrival on the footpath, he was located at the back of the Llyn Idwal. The two were soon reunited and brought to Oggie Base for refreshments before their departure back to the Midlands.

“How they lost each other, twice, is unknown.”