Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Overnight Rescue on Ben Macdui After Two Hikers Found Cragfast in −15C

Rescuers say the pair lacked winter gear, leaving them unlikely to survive the night.

Overview

  • The walkers, both in their early 20s, set off around 6pm and became cragfast on the Goat Track in Coire an t-Sneachda at roughly 1,050 metres.
  • Cairngorms Mountain Rescue Team was called at 8:45pm, deployed 13 volunteers, and had everyone back at base by 1am after a belay and lowering operation.
  • The pair wore jogging bottoms and trainers with little waterproof clothing and had no crampons or ice axe for the steep, icy terrain.
  • Temperatures were about −15C with wind chill, one man showed signs of hypothermia, and both were rewarmed at base without needing hospital treatment.
  • Team leader Iain Cornfoot described them as incredibly ill-equipped and used the incident to urge better preparation for Scottish winter hills.