Climber who fell after triggering avalanche in Cairngorms saved by mountain rescue team

A climber who fell and injured their leg has been rescued after triggering an avalanche in the Cairngorms.

The Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team was called out amid blizzards at 4.30pm on Wednesday.

The rescue operation took seven hours in extreme wintry conditions with the mountains covered in thick snow.

The climber had been trying to exit the top of Central Gully in Coire an t-Sneachda – described as one of the most accessible of Britain’s high mountain corries.

He suffered a lower leg injury during the fall and his climbing partner remained on the belay rope unharmed.

It comes after a “considerable” avalanche warning was issued in part of the Cairngorms National Park on Wednesday.

A previous avalance was triggered on Tuesday, below Ben Macdui summit toward Tailler burn. The debris was searched by the mountain rescue.

Five flood alerts have been issued across Scotland as two new yellow weather warnings for heavy rain come into force.

Scotland

Five flood alerts issued as heavy rain warnings come into force

Travel disruption is likely as Scotland is put under more yellow weather warnings.

Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team said it faced “deteriorating conditions” on Wednesday evening but was able to lower down a rescuer to the climbers.

They were able to attach them to rigging before hauling them up onto the plateau.

“After some rewarming the casualty with the lower leg injury was packaged into a stretcher and carried out to the ski area, whilst the other climber was able to walk out,” a spokesperson for the team said.

“Everyone safe and back at base 11.30pm. Huge thanks to Cairngorm Mountain Resort for their assistance last night with vehicles and staff keeping access roads available during this rescue.”