Story perspectives

Marines Save Climber in Harsh Ben Nevis Conditions

1/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

On January 24, 2026, marines from the Scottish Royal Marine Reserves and the Dutch Korps Mariniers rescued a climber in distress on Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain.
The climber was found in freezing conditions with ice on his face during a training exercise amid Gale Force 8 winds and poor visibility.
The marines used a makeshift stretcher to transport him down the mountain, and Sergeant Onno Lankhaar noted that the climber would not have survived without their help.
The climber later recovered enough to walk and was handed over to emergency services.

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Story summary

On January 24, 2026, marines from the Scottish Royal Marine Reserves and the Dutch Korps Mariniers rescued a climber in distress on Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain.
The climber was found in freezing conditions with ice on his face during a training exercise amid Gale Force 8 winds and poor visibility.
The marines used a makeshift stretcher to transport him down the mountain, and Sergeant Onno Lankhaar noted that the climber would not have survived without their help.
The climber later recovered enough to walk and was handed over to emergency services.