A couple has been slammed for going camping during a blizzard in sub zero conditions.
The man, in his 20s, and woman, in her 30s, sparked an emergency rescue response after their tent collpased under the weight of heavy snow, as reported by What’s The Jam.
Heroes were forced to battle brutal weather in -20C temperatures to save them.
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It took 24 members of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team around eight hours to get the couple to safety after they became trapped.
The man and woman were attempting to camp on The Saddle, a huge Scottish mountain which comes with one of the best-known views in the Highlands, but sent an SOS message when conditions began to deteriorate.
At the same time, the rescue team were called to a separate climber in his 20s who had sustained a deep cut to his lower leg after catching it with a spike from his crampon.
After treating the injury, the climber was helped to safety through deep snow and poor visibility.
A Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team spokesperson said: “After locating the couple and some rewarming they were walked out to safety through some arduous underfoot conditions.
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“All safe and back at base 1.30am.”
But some people were stunned that anyone would be out on a mountain in such conditions.
Willie Duncan said: “I’m not going to pass judgement on the rights or wrongs on the camping in conditions as they were.
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“What I will say is, we are so lucky we have Mountain Rescue Teams, unpaid volunteers who risk life and limb to rescue people in dire need.
“I hope the people rescued dig deep into their pockets and donate a substantial amount to these guys.
“Absolutely incredible work once again.”
Graeme Mackenzie: “Anyone who venture’s into the hills in the winter should be made to take out insurance so the mountain rescue teams are rewarded for pulling them out.”
Pamela Wood chimed in: “”hat is wrong with these people?
“Forecast for heavy snow was on television, etc. well in advance.
“If they want to risk their own lives that’s up to them but those that have to come out to rescue them I feel for.”
And Alyson Stevens Fleming fumed: “Pure idiocy.
“It’s not as if the weather hasn’t been all over the news and social media.
“If it wasn’t for the dedication and willingness of the volunteers of our Mountain Rescue Teams this could’ve been a totally different scenario and who’s fault would that have been?”
And Louise Duffell raged: “Bloody hell, camping in those conditions?
“Read the weather forecast or learn how to dig a snowhole!
“Or retreat as soon as you realise what’s going on!
“Well done rescue team, you are incredible.
“Sorry that social media is making your lives harder and harder by selling a dream to people that they can simply rock up with a tent at any point in time and pitch up in the highest mountains in the UK.”
