Latest news with #Carneddau
BBC News
14 hours ago
- BBC News
Eryri police find bodies of men missing years apart in same spot
It was a mystery that left detectives baffled after a 33-year-old doctor vanished without a trace while walking in Eryri National in August 2012 Shayne Colaco, 33, from Stoke-on-Trent, had been hiking in the Carneddau range in north Wales when he did not return to his car. He was not seen the time, the experienced hiker's disappearance sparked an extensive operation by air and on foot, with the search described by experts as a "needle in a haystack" in the Ogwen was not until 12 years later that a vital clue led to the discovery of Mr Colaco's body in May 2024, only metres away from fellow hiker David Brookfield who had disappeared months before the discovery and died while walking in the same area. Mr Brookfield, 65, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, had been walking alone on 9 January 2024 when he went Wales Police said Mr Brookfield had sent a text to his wife from the top of Carnedd Llewelyn, but no further contact was ever received. The experienced walker had intended to complete an "amazing" 15km (nine mile) route in good weather, police said, but with forecasts that it would deteriorate throughout the is believed he entered the broad mouth of a gully during his descent from his final summit at Pen yr Ole Wen when he fell and became seriously "extensive searches in challenging winter weather conditions", Mr Brookfield could not be found."The weather worsened, snow continued to fall... after the first couple of weeks we realised there wasn't any more we could do from the ground," said Sgt Paul Terry, of North Wales Police. Four months after his disappearance, coastguard helicopter crews discovered Mr Brookfield's body after seeing a glimpse of blue while carrying out a routine training exercise through the Ogwen was during his recovery that volunteers also located a single item of clothing that led them to find the remains of Mr Colaco. Sgt Terry, who assisted the rescue of the two bodies, said the circumstances were "exceptional" as many of the volunteers working on the rescue were involved in the initial search for Mr Colaco 12 years of the winchmen who located Mr Brookfield from the helicopter was also part of RAF squadron looking for Mr Colaco."It shows the amazing willingness and determination of volunteers and the emergency services to find both these men."Sgt Terry said it was while investigating Mr Brookfield's death that a mountain rescue team member found a jacket about 5m (16ft) further down the gully. "The jacket didn't seem to fit with the picture of what we were investigating. It was an older jacket, one that seemed to have been there for some time and inside the pocket was a car key," he said. "Deep in the memory of this rescue team was Shayne Colaco, who had gone missing in the same area 12 years earlier."Sgt Terry said he was "amazed" to find the jacket was very similar to the one Mr Colaco was wearing on the day he went missing. Further investigations then confirmed the key in the pocket was the key to his car, a Fiat Seicento."Suddenly, we realised we may have a clue as to where he may have been all this time." A mountain rescue drone operator then helped find Mr Colaco's body. It is now believed his descent from the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen took the same fatal turn as Mr Brookfield's. Sharing the tragic story, Sgt Terry voiced his condolences to the men's families and friends, as well as warning of the dangers of walking in Eryri, also known as Snowdonia. He said both men ended up in very dangerous ground, "which might have seemed inviting from the summit, but as it got steeper and more broken, it became harder"."It's important to understand the scale of these hills and the impact of weather – and how quickly it can change," he said. "We want you to come and enjoy these beautiful mountains in Eryri, it is amazing, but come and be safe and enjoy it."And so, I have a very simple safety message - be prepared."
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Blue coat & abandoned Fiat -how case of missing psychiatrist was only solved 12 years on when another man met same fate
THE MYSTERY of a missing doctor who vanished in a Welsh national park has finally been solved twelve years later. Psychiatrist Shayne Eves Colaco went for a walk in the Carneddau mountains in Eryri - also called Snowdonia - when he disappeared. 5 5 5 He drove from Stoke-on-Trent in the summer of 2012 and set off walking towards 3,209ft Pen yr Ole Wen. But he didn't return to his Fiat car and was never seen again. Despite searches, cops couldn't find him and he was declared dead six six later, despite his body remaining undiscovered. Fast forward to January last year, when David Brookfield, 65, also vanished in the Welsh Carneddau mountains. He WhatsApped his wife from the summit of Carnedd Llewelyn, but no one ever heard from him again. For four months, searches were carried out to no avail. But in May 2024, a blue jacket was sighted in the Ogwen Valley by a passing coastguard helicopter on a routine training exercise. It is believed David had fallen in a gully and was seriously injured on his descent from the mountain. While his body was recovered, mountain rescue made another change discovery. They spotted another jacket further down the gully, that looked far older and seemed to have been there for some time. Sgt Paul Terry of the North Wales Police drone unit recalled to North WalesLive: 'The jacket didn't seem to fit with the picture of what we were investigating. It was an older jacket, one that seemed to have been there for some time and inside the pocket was a car key. 'Deep in the memory of this rescue team was Shayne Colaco, who had gone missing in the same area 12 years earlier.' As the cops investigated further, they were "amazed" to find that the details matched up with the missing hiker. So they resumed the search for Shayne in another bid to find him and bring peace to his family. A drone pilot then noticed a piece of fabric under a bush in the gully. Sgt Terry continued: 'Quite incredibly, [he] realised that he had also discovered the remains of Shayne Colaco. 'What's really so amazing about this story is that so many of the people involved in searching for David had also been involved in the searches 12 years before for Shayne." David and Shane were both experienced walkers who were well prepared, and Sgt Terry warned hikers that it's important to understand the danger of the hills and weather. 5 5
Sky News
2 days ago
- Sky News
Search for walker solves 12-year missing person mystery
Why you can trust Sky News The mystery surrounding what happened to a missing walker has been solved 12 years after he disappeared. The remains of 33-year-old Shayne Colaco were found last year after search teams found 65-year-old David Brookfield. Mr Brookfield, who was described as an experienced walker, was walking alone in the Carneddau mountain range on 9 January 2024 when he went missing. His wife received a text from him at the top of Carnedd Llewelyn, but received no further contact. North Wales Police say it is believed Mr Brookfield, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, entered the broad mouth of a gully during his descent from the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen, where he fell and became seriously injured. During challenging winter weather conditions, Mr Brookfield could not be found, and it wasn't until four months later on 10 May 2024 that his body was discovered by Coastguard helicopter crews during a routine training exercise. The doctor from the Stoke-on-Trent area had been walking in the Carneddau range around 12 years earlier. Mr Colaco never returned to his car and was never seen again. Police believe his descent from the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen took the same turn as Mr Brookfield's. Sergeant Paul Terry of the North Wales Police drone unit, said his thoughts were with both men's families as the force shared the story with the public. "While we were carrying out the investigation process into David's death, a mountain rescue team member found a jacket about five metres further down the gully," he said. "The jacket didn't seem to fit with the picture of what we were investigating. It was an older jacket, one that seemed to have been there for some time and inside the pocket was a car key. "Deep in the memory of this rescue team was Shayne Colaco, who had gone missing in the same area 12 years earlier." Highlighting the dangers of walking in Eryri (the national park also known as Snowdonia), Sgt Terry said that, despite both men being experienced walkers, "it's always possible that something will go wrong". "Eryri is an incredible place, it's beautiful, and on a good day, the mountains look achievable and accessible. But it's important to understand the scale of these hills and the impact of weather - and how quickly it can change," he said.
Wales Online
10-05-2025
- Wales Online
Ridge and scramble circular walk that beats Yr Wyddfa for one major reason
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info It has ridges, dramatic scenery and a bit of scrambling but those aren't not the best part of this high altitude route. This walk takes in the second highest mountain in Wales - just 20 metres smaller than the famous Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) peak. Its ridges aren't quite as terrifying as Crib Goch but there's enough edge to make it exciting and a couple of times when you need your hands on rock in Tryfan style. The views are spectacular and ever changing as you take in three peaks over 2,500ft and five lakes - with options to add extra summits to that with detours. But the best part of the Cwm Eigiau Horseshoe walk compared to the Yr Wyddfa range is the absolute lack of people. For the first half of the walk - on a bank holiday Monday - it was literally one man and his dog encountered, compare this with the queues of walkers you see at the summit of Yr Wyddfa. The route starts at the little car park near Llyn Eigiau, the former reservoir where a dam break led to the loss of 16 lives in the village of Dolgarrog. While limited in size, I've never found it full and it's free unlike the small fortune now needed to park at Pen-y-pass. It's located around 10 minutes from the village of Tal-y-bont, the journey broken up by three gates that need to be opened and closed. From here, rather than walk towards Llyn Eigiau you head up a track towards Llyn Melynllun and Llyn Dulyn, round the back of the cliffs of Craig Eigiau that tower over Llyn Eigiau. You then spur up off the path towards the edge of Craig Eigiau. The rocky area here is not a bad place to catch your breath and enjoy the vista. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community There is now a fairly barren stretch as you head in the direction of Carnedd Llewelyn across what can be quite boggy - classic Carneddau - terrain. You look down on the two lakes mentioned earlier where the dark cliffs brood over them and across to the ups and downs ahead. (Image: North Wales Live) If you're 'hill-bagging' you can add in Y Foel Grach and Carnedd Gwenllian without too much of a detour but I headed straight for Llewelyn, which at 3,491ft is only slightly below Yr Wyddfa (3,560ft). It's a section that is easy to navigate if the sky is clear but on this day - as is often the case - clouds settled around the summit to really reduce visibility near the top. This is probably the dullest stretch of the trek but I rewarded myself with a food break in a shelter out the wind close to the top. The views are amazing if you're lucky. On this day I'm the only soul on the summit, which is not uncommon. (Image: North Wales Live) Some on this route also take the ridge over to Yr Elen but with the cloud set in I decided not to this time. At this point if you feel you've done enough uphill walking then you can head back from whence you came or detour slightly round the 'back' of Llyn Eigiau. But you would be missing the best part of the whole route. From here it is initially downhill in the direction of Craig yr Ysfa and Pen y Helgi Du and thankfully I now dipped under the clouds that engulfed the top of Llewelyn. At one point you come to the edge of a small cliff face and at first glance can wonder how you progress but there are routes to pick with some scrambling, and care is needed. (Image: North Wales Live) Once down there is a winding ridge path - Bwlch Eryl Farchog - with the fourth lake on the circuit - Ffynnon Llugwy Reservoir - on the right. There are views across to the Glyders and Tryfan but my pictures of those were too awful to share! It is only at this point - around two and a half hours into the walk - that I encounter other humans, initially the aforementioned man and his dog before a quick chat with a couple of other walkers between Craig yr Ysfa and Pen y Helgi Du. Then comes the next scrambling part of this circuit. You come face to face with a big slab of Pen y Heligi Du and spend a minute working out your way up. (Image: North Wales Live) There is no obvious route so take your time and pick your way carefully up the cliff, it's a bit airy so you need a reasonable head for heights but no issues for anyone with experience of scrambling. It is tiring too (or I'm getting old!) so I paused on a ledge around three quarters of the way up to enjoy the view and catch my breath. That's the second peak of the day with one more lying ahead. You head down the mountain and across Bwlch y Tri-Marchog. I'm fairly tired at this point and you know every metre of altitude lost is another metre you'll soon be climbing to reach the final summit. The last mountain is the wonderfully named Pen Llithrig y Wrach - which roughly translates as "slippery peak/top of the witch', presumably referring to the mountain's profile being similar to an archetypal witch's hat. This is daunting in a different way to the scramble up the last mountain. It's a more gentle grassy slope but the fact you've already clocked up around 3,000ft in height gain and now face another climb makes your legs question your choices. But a steady trek soon takes you to the summit and opens up a new view - taking in Llyn Cowlyd and Creigiau Gleision. (Image: North Wales Live) You can then walk along the edge of the mountain as it runs parallel with the lake, which is a decent drop below. The 'path' as you turn to head back towards Llyn Eigiau path is never that clear and I seem to have done it differently each on the three occasions I've done this route. This wasn't the best of them (see map below!) and I think I added an extra 20 minutes or so trampling through bracken and gorse. But it wasn't too long before I was back on the rough track at the side of Llyn Eigiau and it is then another 20 minutes or so walking - thankfully on the flat - to get back to the car park. And that's it, back to the car and to take on the gates on the route down the hill to Tal-y-bont. In total I saw around eight people - about the number you pass every 10 seconds when climbing Yr Wyddfa. It's a challenging route of 11 miles and not too far off 4,000ft in height gain but it is rewarding in so many ways, not least the solitude! Follow advice before heading out with this useful checklist from Eryri National Park
North Wales Live
10-05-2025
- North Wales Live
Ridge and scramble circular walk that beats Yr Wyddfa for one major reason
It has ridges, dramatic scenery and a bit of scrambling but those aren't not the best part of this high altitude route. This walk takes in the second highest mountain in Wales - just 20 metres smaller than the famous Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) peak. Its ridges aren't quite as terrifying as Crib Goch but there's enough edge to make it exciting and a couple of times when you need your hands on rock in Tryfan style. The views are spectacular and ever changing as you take in three peaks over 2,500ft and five lakes - with options to add extra summits to that with detours. But the best part of the Cwm Eigiau Horseshoe walk compared to the Yr Wyddfa range is the absolute lack of people. For the first half of the walk - on a bank holiday Monday - it was literally one man and his dog encountered, compare this with the queues of walkers you see at the summit of Yr Wyddfa. The route starts at the little car park near Llyn Eigiau, the former reservoir where a dam break led to the loss of 16 lives in the village of Dolgarrog. While limited in size, I've never found it full and it's free unlike the small fortune now needed to park at Pen-y-pass. It's located around 10 minutes from the village of Tal-y-bont, the journey broken up by three gates that need to be opened and closed. From here, rather than walk towards Llyn Eigiau you head up a track towards Llyn Melynllun and Llyn Dulyn, round the back of the cliffs of Craig Eigiau that tower over Llyn Eigiau. You then spur up off the path towards the edge of Craig Eigiau. The rocky area here is not a bad place to catch your breath and enjoy the vista. There is now a fairly barren stretch as you head in the direction of Carnedd Llewelyn across what can be quite boggy - classic Carneddau - terrain. You look down on the two lakes mentioned earlier where the dark cliffs brood over them and across to the ups and downs ahead. If you're 'hill-bagging' you can add in Y Foel Grach and Carnedd Gwenllian without too much of a detour but I headed straight for Llewelyn, which at 3,491ft is only slightly below Yr Wyddfa (3,560ft). It's a section that is easy to navigate if the sky is clear but on this day - as is often the case - clouds settled around the summit to really reduce visibility near the top. This is probably the dullest stretch of the trek but I rewarded myself with a food break in a shelter out the wind close to the top. The views are amazing if you're lucky. On this day I'm the only soul on the summit, which is not uncommon. Some on this route also take the ridge over to Yr Elen but with the cloud set in I decided not to this time. At this point if you feel you've done enough uphill walking then you can head back from whence you came or detour slightly round the 'back' of Llyn Eigiau. But you would be missing the best part of the whole route. From here it is initially downhill in the direction of Craig yr Ysfa and Pen y Helgi Du and thankfully I now dipped under the clouds that engulfed the top of Llewelyn. At one point you come to the edge of a small cliff face and at first glance can wonder how you progress but there are routes to pick with some scrambling, and care is needed. Once down there is a winding ridge path - Bwlch Eryl Farchog - with the fourth lake on the circuit - Ffynnon Llugwy Reservoir - on the right. There are views across to the Glyders and Tryfan but my pictures of those were too awful to share! It is only at this point - around two and a half hours into the walk - that I encounter other humans, initially the aforementioned man and his dog before a quick chat with a couple of other walkers between Craig yr Ysfa and Pen y Helgi Du. Then comes the next scrambling part of this circuit. You come face to face with a big slab of Pen y Heligi Du and spend a minute working out your way up. There is no obvious route so take your time and pick your way carefully up the cliff, it's a bit airy so you need a reasonable head for heights but no issues for anyone with experience of scrambling. It is tiring too (or I'm getting old!) so I paused on a ledge around three quarters of the way up to enjoy the view and catch my breath. That's the second peak of the day with one more lying ahead. You head down the mountain and across Bwlch y Tri-Marchog. I'm fairly tired at this point and you know every metre of altitude lost is another metre you'll soon be climbing to reach the final summit. The last mountain is the wonderfully named Pen Llithrig y Wrach - which roughly translates as "slippery peak/top of the witch', presumably referring to the mountain's profile being similar to an archetypal witch's hat. This is daunting in a different way to the scramble up the last mountain. It's a more gentle grassy slope but the fact you've already clocked up around 3,000ft in height gain and now face another climb makes your legs question your choices. But a steady trek soon takes you to the summit and opens up a new view - taking in Llyn Cowlyd and Creigiau Gleision. You can then walk along the edge of the mountain as it runs parallel with the lake, which is a decent drop below. The 'path' as you turn to head back towards Llyn Eigiau path is never that clear and I seem to have done it differently each on the three occasions I've done this route. This wasn't the best of them (see map below!) and I think I added an extra 20 minutes or so trampling through bracken and gorse. But it wasn't too long before I was back on the rough track at the side of Llyn Eigiau and it is then another 20 minutes or so walking - thankfully on the flat - to get back to the car park. And that's it, back to the car and to take on the gates on the route down the hill to Tal-y-bont. In total I saw around eight people - about the number you pass every 10 seconds when climbing Yr Wyddfa. It's a challenging route of 11 miles and not too far off 4,000ft in height gain but it is rewarding in so many ways, not least the solitude!
