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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Mountain rescues double in a year | Mountain rescues double in a year |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Members of a mountain rescue team say the number of call-outs they will handle this year will almost double. | Members of a mountain rescue team say the number of call-outs they will handle this year will almost double. |
| Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue members, who cover part of Snowdonia, have attended 114 incidents so far in 2009. | Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue members, who cover part of Snowdonia, have attended 114 incidents so far in 2009. |
| That compares to an annual average of 65, and they say it reflects increasing numbers of climbers and walkers. | That compares to an annual average of 65, and they say it reflects increasing numbers of climbers and walkers. |
| But they also warned that instead of tackling problems themselves, people often unnecessarily used their mobile phone to call emergency services. | But they also warned that instead of tackling problems themselves, people often unnecessarily used their mobile phone to call emergency services. |
| Following another busy weekend, official Chris Lloyd said many of the cases involved no injuries, and especially those over the past few days. | Following another busy weekend, official Chris Lloyd said many of the cases involved no injuries, and especially those over the past few days. |
| They seem to dial 999 and then leave someone else to sort it out Chris Lloyd, Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue, on those seeking help | They seem to dial 999 and then leave someone else to sort it out Chris Lloyd, Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue, on those seeking help |
| He said that "if they hadn't had a mobile phone they would have sorted themselves out". | He said that "if they hadn't had a mobile phone they would have sorted themselves out". |
| Ian Henderson of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team said they had already been called out more than 160 times this year, compared to 105 in 2008. | Ian Henderson of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team said they had already been called out more than 160 times this year, compared to 105 in 2008. |
| "I think it's probably simply due to the fact there have been many more people on the mountains this year," he said. | "I think it's probably simply due to the fact there have been many more people on the mountains this year," he said. |
| He added that, in his opinion, a lower percentage of walkers and climbers were getting into difficulties. | He added that, in his opinion, a lower percentage of walkers and climbers were getting into difficulties. |
| Mr Lloyd said however that it seemed that increasingly people were less "self-reliant". | Mr Lloyd said however that it seemed that increasingly people were less "self-reliant". |
| "They seem to dial 999 and then leave someone else to sort it out," he added. | "They seem to dial 999 and then leave someone else to sort it out," he added. |
| On Sunday team members were involved in three rescues. | On Sunday team members were involved in three rescues. |
| The first call at lunchtime was from a man who said he was stuck or lost on the north ridge of Tryfan. | The first call at lunchtime was from a man who said he was stuck or lost on the north ridge of Tryfan. |
| Helicopter | Helicopter |
| Mr Lloyd said it was lucky that 22 Squadron, from RAF Valley, were flying in the area and the helicopter was available to help out. | Mr Lloyd said it was lucky that 22 Squadron, from RAF Valley, were flying in the area and the helicopter was available to help out. |
| "As they were flying over the west face of Tryfan they saw a group of four people - three in red and one in black - and the group indicated that they needed help. | "As they were flying over the west face of Tryfan they saw a group of four people - three in red and one in black - and the group indicated that they needed help. |
| Some of the incidents marked on a map on the team's website | Some of the incidents marked on a map on the team's website |
| "We thought the man in black was the man who had called us, but it turned out not to be our man," said Mr Lloyd. | "We thought the man in black was the man who had called us, but it turned out not to be our man," said Mr Lloyd. |
| Meanwhile another call came in from two student rock climbers, from Liverpool and London, who were stuck on "slippery rock" about 600ft (182m) up a climb of about 750ft (228m), and they were rescued by the same helicopter. | Meanwhile another call came in from two student rock climbers, from Liverpool and London, who were stuck on "slippery rock" about 600ft (182m) up a climb of about 750ft (228m), and they were rescued by the same helicopter. |
| "As this was happening we got a call to say at the man who had originally called us was back down by his car," said Mr Lloyd. | "As this was happening we got a call to say at the man who had originally called us was back down by his car," said Mr Lloyd. |
| RAF support | RAF support |
| He added that another reason for the increase in the number of call-outs was there were more people out on the mountains, and after Snowdon - the highest peak in Wales and England - Tryfan was seen as a "challenge". | He added that another reason for the increase in the number of call-outs was there were more people out on the mountains, and after Snowdon - the highest peak in Wales and England - Tryfan was seen as a "challenge". |
| "It is the only true mountain where you have to take both hands out of your pockets [because you have to scramble on all fours]," he said. | "It is the only true mountain where you have to take both hands out of your pockets [because you have to scramble on all fours]," he said. |
| "It looks easy - and only takes about an hour to get to the top - but it's always a challenge and not very easy," he added. | "It looks easy - and only takes about an hour to get to the top - but it's always a challenge and not very easy," he added. |
| Mr Lloyd said the RAF decision to end night-time flights for a period of six weeks later this month would also affect the rescue team. | Mr Lloyd said the RAF decision to end night-time flights for a period of six weeks later this month would also affect the rescue team. |
| "It will be an inconvenience to us, but they are not there to rescue civilians," he said. | "It will be an inconvenience to us, but they are not there to rescue civilians," he said. |
| "It is a voluntary agreement, and we are grateful for all the support we usually get," he added. | "It is a voluntary agreement, and we are grateful for all the support we usually get," he added. |
| Meanwhile, Ian Henderson of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team said they had already been called out more than 160 times this year compared to 105 last year. | |
| "I think it's probably simply due to the fact there have been many more people on the mountains this year," he said. |