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In 2024, a mountain rescue team devoted 8,177 hours to call-outs in Eryri (Snowdonia) and a further 2,714 hours to training. So when a group of walkers delivered a throw-away comment, after being rescued, they weren’t best impressed. Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO) is this year celebrating its 60th year , having begun life operating from based in a caravan behind Ogwen Cottage. Since then its members have saved countless lives, their work profiled on TV shows like the BBC‘s SOS: Extreme rescues. Already in 2025 the team have topped 160 call-outs, putting it on course for its busiest ever year (Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team hit 300 call-outs in 2023). After a recent rescue, OVMRO members received some ill-informed feedback from the people they’d just brought off the mountains. A spokesperson said: “While returning a casualty group to their car, they commented, “You would only be at base, twiddling your thumbs, waiting for a rescue”. They were then very surprised that it isn’t our full time job (we wish). “Everyone on the team gives up their free time to train and qualify in a range of skills that let us rescue people when they call. “We rely on the support of our families and friends when we abandon plans and the support of you, the public, with your donations that keep us operating. Thank you.” Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Call-outs can be distressing for team members - last year they were involved in recovering nine fatalities. Others are more light-hearted, such as the petrified parrot that greeted its rescuers with “hello!”. On occasions, Christmas dinners and other family commitments are put aside by volunteers when their phones ring. By and large, it is a sense of “giving back to the community” drives members to sacrifice their time. Being part of a team helps. “The camaraderie and banter on a call-out helps us to support each other, particularly during difficult or challenging times,” said a volunteer of nine years. Some call-outs can grate, such as an incident at Conwy Falls that required a full response including police and an Air Ambulance. Although the casualty was stretchered up a steep gorge, she had “non-visible injuries”, leaving the team to suspect a hoax call. Call-outs occasionally turn out to be domestics, others have involved lost rucksacks. Some injuries are self-inflicted, such as the casualty who downed cans of beer ascending Tryfan and had a “spliff” on the way down - just before he fell. OVMRO spoke out on what is Mountain Rescue Awareness Day (Sunday, October 26). Like other teams in the North Wales Mountain Rescue Association (NWMRA), it is using the occasion to remind people of the vital work carried out by volunteer teams - and to encourage safe planning for outdoor adventures now the clocks have gone back. Andy Harbach, chairman of NWMRA, said: “Our members spend a lot of time training and raising funds to enable us to provide a professional-level mountain rescue service. We are grateful to the public, local businesses, and communities in which we operate for their continued support.” North Wales, with its dramatic scenery, remains one of the busiest regions for mountain rescue call-outs. Social media has also contributed to increased visitor numbers, guiding people to remote locations that can land themselves in trouble. During autumn and winter, walkers and climbers are advised to start their journeys earlier months to avoid being caught out after dark. Essential precautions include packing a fully-charged head torch, carrying a phone power bank, dressing in warm layers and bringing enough food and drink. OVMRO added: “While we love meeting all our casualties, you can help yourself by being #beadventuresmart and planning your trips into the hills.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox With growing numbers of people exploring the outdoors, demand for mountain rescue services continues to rise. All the teams involved rely heavily on donations to fund training and equipment. You can support OVMRO here. Find out what's happening near you
