Rare lift used to rescue climbers

Six people were rescued off Tryfan, Snowdonia, in two incidents on Sunday

A rare rescue manoeuvre was used to lift two climbers from an 800ft cliff in Snowdonia.

A winchman performed a "triple lift" to winch himself and two climbers from Tryfan in Cowny on Sunday.

The rescue took place after two students, from London and Liverpool, became stuck on a climb known as the Grooved Arete.

A Sea King helicopter from RAF Valley in Anglesey was involved in the operation in the Ogwen valley.

The climbers were on greasy rock, 200ft from the top of the climb on the mountain.

Winch cable

The helicopter flew within a few feet of the rock face and twice had to wait for cloud to clear.

Because the aircraft was being buffeted, the crew decided to perform the rare triple lift.

Winchman Sgt Ed Griffiths disconnected the pair from their climbing attachments and fixed them to the winch cable.

Earlier, the same helicopter winched to safety two couples from the Manchester area who were stuck on the opposite west face of Tryfan.

None of the climbers in the two rescues was hurt and they were landed in the Ogwen Valley.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version