RESCUERS are urging walkers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to prepare for the more severe weather conditions if going out around Powys beauty spots this winter.

The advice comes after a female walker fell and sustained a serious ankle injury while walking in the Brecon Beacons earlier this week.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, January 5, when the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team (CBMRT) and Brecon Mountain Rescue Team (BMRT) were called out to help a casualty who had injured herself on Pen-y-Fan.

We’ve experienced a mild winter so far, but January has ushered in a cold snap and rescuers are warning walkers to beware, as the colder weather can lead to “treacherous” conditions.

“The team responded this afternoon to assist our colleagues at Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, who had been alerted to an incident with a casualty on the main path up to Pen-y-Fan,” the Central Beacons team said in a post on their Facebook page.

“The lady had slipped in the snowy conditions and sustained a very painful ankle injury.

“Attended to by one of the BMRT paramedics, and mountain rescue casualty carers, the casualty was treated, given pain relief and then evacuated off the mountain by stretcher to an awaiting Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust truck.

“Both teams would express their thanks to other walkers on the hill who had stopped to help the lady and did their best to provide her with shelter while mountain rescue assistance was requested.”

Addressing the need to be more prepared when going out in the cold conditions, the CBMRT added: “The mild weather of recent days has now gone and cold wintery conditions are very much here, with snow and ice on the tops making conditions potentially treacherous underfoot.

“So please, if you are thinking of heading up, make sure you are appropriately equipped, with suitable clothing, footwear and equipment/experience for the prevailing conditions, which are very different on the tops from those that might be found in the car park.”

For tips and advice on what to take with you or how to prepare for a hike in bad weather, visit https://www.adventuresmart.uk/wales/.