Glen Coe hillwalkers who fell to their deaths on ridge were 'experienced guide & two clients' who were 'roped together' | The Sun

August 8, 2023

THREE people who died in a horror hiking tragedy were roped together, it’s emerged.

The trio – an experienced instructor helping two others – perished in the fall at the notorious Aonach Eagach mountain ridge in Glen Coe over the weekend.

Mountain Rescue teams, along with the emergency services were scrambled to the valley, after being alerted on Saturday that the trio had failed to return from their hike.

Tragically, the bodies of the two men and a woman were later found.

A source told the Scottish Sun: “The accident happened with an instructor and his clients.”

It is thought the group were roped up as they scrambled across the rocky six-mile stretch, which includes two Munro summits – and has claimed the lives of at least four others since 2014.

Recent reports have suggested that some parts of the treacherous terrain has deteriorated, making it even more difficult to navigate in adverse weather.

Mountaineer Alan O’Connor said: “The guide was uber experienced but I’m guessing they were roped up and someone slipped.

“The route has deteriorated in parts making certain sections a lot trickier in wet weather.”

An instructor, who wished to remain anonymous, added that there would likely be an investigation into how all three perished.

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He said: “It’ll be up to the Glencoe Mountain Rescue team to make observations based on how the three were found and what equipment was being used.

“I dare say there’ll be a report at some point, even if there’s no official inquest.”

Glenshee Ski Patroller and Polar Guide William Smith added: “It is most likely that given the location and the need for protection, they were roped together but had either an insecure belay or on an easier section were caught unaware when one of the party tumbled.

“Scottish mountains may not be high compared with the Alps but the can be extremely dangerous.”

Police, HM Coastguard, the RAF and Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team took part in the recovery operation, on Saturday night in foggy and misty conditions.

Police Scotland are yet to confirm the identities of the tragic trio – whose bodies were recovered in the early hours of Sunday – but did confirm their families had been made aware.

A force spokesman said: “A search was carried out and the bodies of three people were found.

“HM Coastguard and Glencoe and RAF mountain rescue teams assisted.

“There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances. Next of kin are aware.”

On Monday night a 39-year-old man who took a tumble while out walking in the Glen Coe valley, ended up in hospital after rescuers came to his aid.

A police spokeswoman said: “Around 4.40pm on Monday, 7 August, we received a report of a man having fallen in the Lost Valley area of Glencoe.

“Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team attended and a 39-year-old man was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment.”

Aonach Eagach has been the scene of at least four other fatalities since 2014, when a 63-year-old woman died.

A man, 44, was killed in July 2016.

Last September, a 36-year-old died after falling over 650ft from the ridge, weeks after the body of Alan Taylor, 57, who had been missing since September 2021, was found in a gully below.