Climber saved from death during dramatic rescue in -2C blizzard in Scotland

31 December 2023 , 13:00

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Climber saved from death during dramatic rescue in -2C blizzard in Scotland

Dramatic footage shows the moment a climber was saved from dying in a horrifying -2C blizzard after she became separated from her group whilst 4,000 feet up a mountain.

Heroic rescuers with a huge team totalling 17 people battled heavy snow and ferocious winds of up to 80mph during their mission at around 5.30pm on Saturday (December 30) in the Scottish Highlands. The Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team found her in the boulder field of Coire an t-Sneachda and carried her by stretcher for a mile until they could reach a vehicle to return her to the base.

It is unlikely the climber would have survived the night if the team hadn’t found her, rescuers said. The woman was already suffering from exhaustion and mild hypothermia at the point she was saved.

The climber was carried away in a stretcher (Cairngorm Mountian Rescue Team/X)

The woman would have died if she wasn't rescued, the team said (Cairngorm Mountian Rescue Team/X)

Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team leader Iain Cornfoot said: “She was very cold and suffering from exhaustion. The conditions she had encountered were horrendous. In fact they were so bad - 80mph winds and heavy snow - we would not have gone out at that time. It was just too dangerous. She was lucky the conditions improved.”

He explained how deadly the harsh mountain conditions can get and added: “Fortunately the wind dropped and that allowed us to reach her. It was just as well because I don't think she would have survived the night. She had become separated from the other two members of her party. They had finished their climb but then got separated in the terrible conditions at about 1200 metres (3937 feet). She was unable to walk due to exhaustion after being battered by the wind and encountering the heavy snow, but she raised the alarm.”

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

The adventurous climber was treated with blizzard blankets and heat pads, with the operation ending at 10:30pm and the woman not needing any further medical equipment.

Jake Loader