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Ben Nevis search for Rachel Slater and Tim Newton suspended Ben Nevis search for Rachel Slater and Tim Newton suspended
(about 5 hours later)
The search for two climbers missing on Ben Nevis for a week has been suspended for the rest of the weekend because of "increasingly hazardous weather" and a continuing risk of avalanches.The search for two climbers missing on Ben Nevis for a week has been suspended for the rest of the weekend because of "increasingly hazardous weather" and a continuing risk of avalanches.
Rachel Slater, 24, and Tim Newton, 27, from Bradford, failed to return from an outing on the mountain last weekend.Rachel Slater, 24, and Tim Newton, 27, from Bradford, failed to return from an outing on the mountain last weekend.
Police say they hope the conditions will improve at the start of the week.Police say they hope the conditions will improve at the start of the week.
Meanwhile, police say two male climbers who got into difficulty on Ben Nevis on Saturday also remain unaccounted for. Meanwhile, rescue teams have found two male climbers who got into difficulty on Ben Nevis on Saturday.
The Press Association news agency said it understood the pair were not connected to Ms Slater and Mr Newton and had contacted police themselves. The men were found in the summit shelter, cold and wet but otherwise unharmed.
Police said they were liaising with Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (LMRT), but no further details are available.
'Limited visibility''Limited visibility'
LMRT had resumed a search for Ms Slater and Mr Newton on Saturday morning, saying a rescue team of 26 people and a search a dog were involved in the operation.LMRT had resumed a search for Ms Slater and Mr Newton on Saturday morning, saying a rescue team of 26 people and a search a dog were involved in the operation.
However, Police Scotland said "very poor" weather, including high winds, falling snow and limited visibility, had halted teams.However, Police Scotland said "very poor" weather, including high winds, falling snow and limited visibility, had halted teams.
"Sadly, there were no positive sightings today and searches have been suspended for [Sunday] due to increasingly hazardous weather and further risk of avalanches," the force said in a statement."Sadly, there were no positive sightings today and searches have been suspended for [Sunday] due to increasingly hazardous weather and further risk of avalanches," the force said in a statement.
"Reviews continue to be ongoing and it is hoped that there will be an improvement to the conditions on Monday or Tuesday."Reviews continue to be ongoing and it is hoped that there will be an improvement to the conditions on Monday or Tuesday.
"Both Rachel and Tim's family continue to be appraised of these circumstances.""Both Rachel and Tim's family continue to be appraised of these circumstances."
Treacherous conditions have also hindered air and ground searches on Britain's highest peak - in the Scottish Highlands - in recent days.Treacherous conditions have also hindered air and ground searches on Britain's highest peak - in the Scottish Highlands - in recent days.
Temperatures at -19CTemperatures at -19C
Ms Slater and Mr Newton were thought to have been camping near the Charles Inglis Clark memorial hut on the north side of Ben Nevis over last weekend.Ms Slater and Mr Newton were thought to have been camping near the Charles Inglis Clark memorial hut on the north side of Ben Nevis over last weekend.
The alarm was raised on Monday when they failed to return.The alarm was raised on Monday when they failed to return.
The latest search focused on the Coire Na Ciste area, under Carn Dearg Buttress, below Waterfall Gully and both Castle Gullies.The latest search focused on the Coire Na Ciste area, under Carn Dearg Buttress, below Waterfall Gully and both Castle Gullies.
Observations were also made of the north face of the mountain.Observations were also made of the north face of the mountain.
Temperature were recorded at -6C (21F) on the summit - or -19C (-2F) with the windchill factor.Temperature were recorded at -6C (21F) on the summit - or -19C (-2F) with the windchill factor.
'Challenging conditions''Challenging conditions'
A post earlier on Saturday on the Lochaber Mountain Rescue team Facebook page said: "Our thoughts continue to be with Rachel and Tim's family and friends.A post earlier on Saturday on the Lochaber Mountain Rescue team Facebook page said: "Our thoughts continue to be with Rachel and Tim's family and friends.
"We have assured them we will use our best efforts to find them."We have assured them we will use our best efforts to find them.
"Conditions still remain extremely challenging with considerable avalanche risk, high winds and heavy fresh snow above 500m.""Conditions still remain extremely challenging with considerable avalanche risk, high winds and heavy fresh snow above 500m."
The rescue team said the interest in efforts to find the couple had been "absolutely overwhelming" with 1.1 million visits to their Facebook page this week.The rescue team said the interest in efforts to find the couple had been "absolutely overwhelming" with 1.1 million visits to their Facebook page this week.