The Llanberis mountain rescue team, which covers Snowdon and the surrounding north Wales national park, has criticised increasing numbers of "completely unprepared" walkers after logging its busiest month ever, with 59 call-outs in August alone. The team says it is on course for around 440 rescues in 2026, nearly double the figure from four years ago, and has blamed social media influencers for showcasing dramatic images of hazardous routes without highlighting the skill, equipment and experience needed to attempt them safely.

Around 600,000 people climb the 3,560ft peak, also known as Yr Wyddfa, each year, and roughly nine people die on it annually, many on more dangerous ridges such as Crib Goch. Rescuers said August's incidents included prolonged night-time rescues in poor weather, serious injuries, heat-related problems and people stranded on difficult terrain. They warned that online images make exposed scrambles look deceptively manageable and called for greater personal responsibility and better preparation, rather than simply expanding rescue capacity, arguing that "this trend is not sustainable."