A woman who climbed Ben Nevis in her shorts said she “could have died” at the summit if it was not for a group of climbers who came to her rescue.
Sara Albone was on a mountain biking tour through Scotland and spontaneously decided to climb the UK’s highest mountain.
The 28-year-old reached the top – but amid blizzard conditions soon began displaying signs of hypothermia, including dizziness and difficulty moving.
Luckily, two pairs of male climbers scaling the North Face of the 4,411ft peak reached the summit at about the same time and saw Miss Albone, who they described as “frozen and drenched”
The four men gave her a bag and huddled round her to help warm her up and one climber sacrificed some of his dry clothes. They also supplied her with water and dextrose tablets to boost her energy.
Another trio of experienced climbers were flagged down and fortunately they had a group tent, and Miss Albone, of Brighton, was able to warm up and eventually get down the mountain with their assistance.
Yesterday while travelling back home on a train from Inverness, she told The Press and Journal: “All of the people involved were incredibly brave and kind and went beyond the call of duty to help when most people would tell you to go on alone.
“It was a really lucky escape. I think if it had not been for these guys I could have died. I got to the top but started feeling really dizzy and I could not feel my own body. I started feeling like I was a bit drunk and got to a point where I could not walk any further.
“The experience has really highlighted to me the need to always pack items that are essential for mountain climbing. If it was not for the guys that helped me Ben Nevis would have definitely been Ben Never.”
One of her rescuers, Louis Lander-Deacon, who along with friend James Beaumont dialled 999, said: “The conditions were absolutely terrible. It was quite an ordeal. I am sure that if she had not bumped into us she might have died.”
Miss Albone climbed Ben Nevis dressed in shorts and tights, Salamon Speedcross trainers, a ski jacket and hat and scarf. She had not told anyone where she was going.
The cross-country runner had no ice pick, poles or any form of shelter, and was instead carrying the full bag of gear that she needed for the four-day trip.
She added yesterday that she plans to book herself in for a mountaineering course when she gets home.