The group of six retreated from Tryfan's North Ridge. Photo: Terry Hughes CC-BY-SA-2.0

Mountain rescuers stressed the importance of groups staying together on the hill after three men were rescued from a Snowdonia peak.

The trio were making their way down Tryfan when one slipped and injured himself.

Three other, more experienced scramblers had gone ahead and reached safety.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation was called out at 5.30pm on Sunday after the group called for help.

Chris Lloyd of the rescue team said six young men from north London had come up for a few days mountain walking.

“The six, of varied experience, had scrambled up the North Ridge of Tryfan” he said. “On reaching the North Tower, they decided to retrace their steps back down the ridge.

“The three more experienced members made a successful descent to the A5 road, leaving the others to pick their own route. While descending a short but steep gully, the second man slipped and fell a short distance. Had his friend not grabbed him, this incident would have had more serious consequences.

“But his slip did cause an injury to his leg so they telephoned for assistance.

“A hasty party was dispatched to give casualty care, closely followed by a rope rescue party. As it was dark, and the evening was fine, 22 Squadron was requested. Initially, they were concerned about attempting a winch from the precarious ledge where the casualty and rescue team members were situated.

“Eventually, the winchman was lowered. The two friends were lifted and flown to Oggie base. With some superb night flying on this rocky steep ridge, the casualty was winched aboard and flown to hospital in Bangor.

“The team leader explained to the three more experienced men that the party of six should not have split up. This incident was concluded shortly after 8pm, thanks to the assistance of the Sea King helicopter from 22 Squadron, RAF Valley.”

Earlier in the day, OVMRO members were called out to rescue two women university students from Liverpool who strayed on to steep ground in bad visibility on the Glyderau.

Mr Lloyd said: “Navigating on this moonscape plateau can be difficult in misty conditions. Soon they found themselves on steep and difficult ground. They made the 999 call at about 3.45pm and reported themselves stuck near the Devil’s Kitchen at the back of Cwm Idwal.

“Sarloc was used to locate them and they were at the back of Cwm Bochlwyd on the steep ground between Bristly Ridge and the main cliff of Glyder Fach. Team members were dispatched to try to locate the two women.”

Sarloc is the system devised by former Ogwen Valley MRO member Russ Hore which sends a link to smartphones which, when followed, allows rescuers to pinpoint its location.

Mr Lloyd said: “As they entered the cwm, the cloud lifted and the two students could be seen on hazardous ground. The team members advised the students to remain in place and await rescue.

“However, the students reckoned that they could slide down the slope to safety. There were some communication problems, but eventually the two women were led to safety and taken down to the Ogwen Valley.

“Hopefully, they will appreciate just how dangerous there navigation error could have been.”

The rescues concluded a busy weekend for the team. After two rescues on Tryfan, members were called out to an incident in which two teenagers got stuck on a hillside.

Mr Lloyd said: “Two 14-year-old girls got stuck in undergrowth near the caravan park near the coastal town of Penmaenmawr.

“The Sarloc placed them just 300m from the road. Two team members and the girls’ parents managed to locate and extract them.”