We don't 'twiddle our thumbs' when we're not out saving lives

MOUNTAIN RESCUERS' MISSION CAN BE THANKLESS

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE

(OVMRO)

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 throwaway 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.