Ogwen Valley mountain rescuers in Craig Yr Isfa drama
Ten mountain rescuers spent more than eight hours helping an injured climber to safety 400ft (121m) up a rock face in a remote part of Snowdonia.
The Wrexham man dislocated his shoulder while climbing with two friends on Craig Yr Isfa, Carnedd Llewelyn, Conwy.
A RAF helicopter flew members of Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue to the top of the rock face after the callout on Saturday at 16:50 BST.
The man was winched down a gully and taken to hospital at about 01:30 BST.
He sustained the shoulder injury after falling 10 metres (32ft).
His two friends and the rescue volunteers were collected by rescue vehicles, arriving back at the rescue centre in the Ogwen Valley at 06:30 BST.
The injured climber returned later on Sunday to thank the mountain rescuers.
In all, about 20 volunteers were involved in the rescue.
Ten volunteers abseiled down the mountain to help the man, four remained above to help with ropes, and others acted as runners and drivers supplying and helping colleagues.
One of the crew remained on an adjacent mountainside throughout the operation, relaying messages between the rescuers due to a radio transmission blackspot.
He was re-supplied later in the day, including a supper of lasagne, delivered by his wife on horse back, said mountain rescue spokesman Chris Lloyd.
"This was one of the most technical rescues - and very strenuous - for a long time," said Mr Lloyd.
He said the climbers were well prepared for their outing and it was a genuine accident that could have happened to anyone, but it was the location that made it a difficult rescue operation.