Issued: 3 Jan 2024
About 0900 hours today (Wednesday 03 January 2024) concerns were raised for two walkers who were reported overdue having set off to walk/climb in the Ben Nevis area the previous day (02 January 2024).
12 members of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team responded and together with Helicopter R177 from Prestwick, made their way to the area.
About 1140 hours same date (Wednesday 03 January 2024) a friend of the walkers reported having received a mobile call from them to the effect that they were safe and well at Trident Buttress and planning to make for a nearby Bothy.
It transpired that they had lost their route due to difficult terrain the previous day and could not get a mobile telephone signal. They therefore decided to spend the night on the mountain, being very well equipped for the conditions.
The Mountain Rescue Team members attended at the Bothy and indeed found :
1. Stuart Lade, aged 23 years, from Bishop Storford
and
2. Helen Dale, aged 23 years, from Wolverhampton.
safe and well.
The two persons were then assisted back to Fort William Police Station where they were re-united with friends.