Officers from the Eryri National Park Authority have encouraged those who intend to visit yr Wyddfa over Easter to plan their journeys carefully in order to ensure safety and so as to respect local communities and the environment.
Thousands are expected to visit yr Wyddfa over the next fortnight, and the increase in visitors over recent years puts significant pressure on local infrastructure. The effects have been felt by Llanberis mountain rescue team in particular who have received their highest number of call outs on record in recent months.
Gruff Owen, Chair of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team said:
“Easter is a particularly challenging time for our dedicated volunteers, especially in recent years where we’re increasingly having to respond to several serious incidents at the same time.
During the holiday periods walkers and climbers should be aware that we could already be committed to rescues elsewhere on the mountain and that injured casualties may have to wait longer than usual for a response.
Many incidents can be avoided with proper preparation and awareness. To help reduce the pressure on our volunteers, we urge all visitors to the mountains to take essential safety precautions before embarking on any outdoor adventure. Always check weather conditions, research the route that you’re taking and carry appropriate clothing and equipment for the terrain and weather.
Mountains are unpredictable. Sudden weather changes and challenging terrain can catch anyone off guard. The most experienced hikers and climbers recognise their limits and turn back when they are tired or conditions become unsafe.
By taking these steps, we can reduce the number of preventable incidents and ensure your time in the mountains remains a safe and enjoyable experience.”
Parc officers are encouraging visitors to follow the Adventure Smart guidelines. Essentially this means that visitors should ask themselves 3 key questions before embarking on a journey:
- Am I confident I have the skills and knowledge for the day?
- Do I know what the weather will be like?
- Do I have the right gear?
Parking
Park officers are emphasising that visitors should not park illegally or irresponsibly because of the possible effects this could have on emergency services, landowners and local residents. Due to the popularity of the Park over the spring and summer months, visitors are encouraged to consider if there will be parking spaces available in Llanberis and Nant Gwynant on the day, and if parking in Pen y Pass to pre-book a space. Information about car parks is available on the National Park’s website.
Chief Inspector Steve Pawson, North Wales Police said:
“North Wales Police have and will continue to work closely with partners – including our volunteer Mountain Rescue Teams who are experiencing unprecedented demand on their services this year.
We all have an individual and collective responsibility to take additional care if heading up Yr Wyddfa or any other mountain in Eryri. People need to remember that our fantastic mountain rescue teams are volunteers – who regularly put themselves in danger to rescue others. By having a little bit more knowledge and skills and done some more preparation, individuals may not end up getting into trouble.
If you do intend on visiting Yr Wyddfa and surrounding areas please ensure that you plan in advance. Good preparation is key to ensuring a great day – this includes ensuring you take personal responsibility by having the correct kit, that you’re checking the weather forecast, are fully prepared for every eventuality and keep within your own capabilities.
Planning on where you will park is also an important factor as we don’t want to witness dangerous or irresponsible parking like we have seen in years gone by. There are fantastic park and ride facilities and public transport links, please make full use of them and plan ahead. If you do find yourself in need of assistance because of being lost, injured, or in an emergency whilst outdoors, phone 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue. You will be helped.
We fully appreciate that Eryri is one of the most beautiful areas in the world, and with the good weather we have had so far this spring, we expect the area to become extremely busy over the next few weeks. We want everyone to enjoy the fantastic scenery and leave only with happy memories.”
Angela Jones, Eryri National Park Authority’s Head of Partnerships said:
“Eryri is here for everyone to enjoy, but enjoyment must go hand in hand with responsibility. Planning ahead, respecting the landscape, and making safe choices ensures this special place remains protected.”
