INSTAGRAMMERS have been warned not to take risks in order to create the perfect 'story' after a party three had to be rescued from a “hideous” and “harrowing” part of a quarry.
Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team were called out to help the group of March 25. The trio had set out to explore the Dinorwig slate quarries and made their way to a quarry hole know as Sinc Galed (climbers know this area as California).
With no set plan in mind, they decided to scramble to the top of the Eastern wall of the quarry hole up towards Pen Garrett.
A spokesperson for the Llanberis Mountain Rescue team said: "This is an area of the quarry that even experienced rock climbers have avoided, being described as 'hideous' and 'harrowing'.
"While attempting to ascend this wall, two members of the party became stuck on an unstable ledge around 35 metres from the top of the cliff and decided, wisely, to call for help."
12 team members were tasked to the top of the cliff in the Pen Garret area.
The spokesperson added: "From here a single team member was lowered on a rope to the casualties’ location to secure them on the ledge.
"The team then set up an 'Artificial High Directional tripod' and a two-line hauling system at the top of the cliff.
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"From there our team member and both stuck party members were hauled safely to the top in three separate lifts."
The slate quarries have seen an upsurge in visitor numbers in recent years.
"While we understand the urge to explore such historic manmade landscapes, there are increasing concerns at both the volume and nature of trips being made into these dangerous places," the spokesperson added.
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"As a mountain rescue team, Llanberis Mountain Rescue team train to operate safely in almost any mountain environment, but there are many hidden dangers in the slate quarries that we can’t always account for. Such unseen hazards can pose a considerable risk to rescuers or emergency services personnel called to assist persons in difficulty in these areas."
With the Easter holiday now here and the number of visitors increasing, the rescue team have asked people to consider the following:
- Social Media
The old buildings and infrastructure of the slate quarries (railways, ladders etc.) are over half a century old and in various states of rust and decay. These old structures and fixtures, which can often be found above precipitous drops, could (and often do) collapse at any time and without warning. No Instagram story is worth the level of risk that some people are unwittingly taking.
- Organised groups
Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team are aware of many groups, often “social media meet-ups,”, exploring the quarries with unqualified and inexperienced leaders. Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team would always recommend that people joining such groups ascertain the qualifications and experience level of group leaders before participating in such events.
- Traditional media and local papers
The quarries and similar sites have recently received considerable media and press coverage, some extolling the adventures to be had here, which has encouraged unprepared and inexperienced people to explore these potentially very dangerous places.
These articles can encourage the unwary into dangerous areas. Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team would always encourage inexperienced people to gain advice from professional and qualified leaders and instructors.
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