A MOUNTAIN rescue team has issued a serious warning after carrying out a record 59 callouts in August - its busiest month in history.
Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team says it is increasingly dealing with people taking on difficult terrain while “completely unprepared” for what they are facing.
Its volunteers carried out prolonged rescues in darkness and poor weather during August, dealt with serious injuries and heat-related issues, and assisted people stuck in serious terrain.
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Sadly, the team also attended incidents where people and animals lost their lives.
In a statement, the team said: “What concerns us most is the increasing number of people taking on difficult terrain while completely unprepared for what they are facing.
"The mountains have not suddenly become more dangerous. More people are visiting them, and the way routes are discovered and accessed has changed.
"Routes once mainly attempted by experienced hillwalkers and mountaineers are increasingly attracting people with little or no experience.
The team highlighted Crib Goch as an example, saying a photograph or video of the exposed Grade 1 scramble can make it look like “just another route to the summit”.
"We want people to enjoy Eryri. We understand the physical and mental health benefits of spending time in the mountains but accidents happen, even to experienced, well-prepared people. That is why we volunteer," the statement said.
"But enjoying the mountains also comes with personal responsibility.
"Too often, people simply don’t know that a route may require specific skills, equipment, fitness, experience and judgement and how quickly conditions can change."
The team's callout figures show a significant increase in recent years:
- 147 in 2020
- 237 in 2021
- 233 in 2022
- 308 in 2023
- 327 in 2024
- 359 in 2025
- About 440 projected in 2026.
The statement added: "This trend is not sustainable.
"The answer cannot simply be more Mountain Rescue. There has to be greater focus on prevention and personal responsibility.
"We will always respond when someone genuinely needs our help. The bigger question now is: how do we stop so many people from needing help in the first place?
"Enjoy the mountains but please try to understand the environment you are entering and if the terrain or conditions don’t feel right, turn around."
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