September 6, 2011

A driver tries to climb a mountain.

WALKERS hiking up Snowdon – the highest mountain in England and Wales – were shocked to find a car, apparently driven by a Cheltenham man, parked just a few hundred yards from the summit.
Mountain rescuers yesterday branded as “dangerous” the audacity of the driver who steered the 4×4 vehicle up the 3,560ft mountain.
It is understood the Vauxhall Frontera was abandoned on Saturday morning after becoming stuck, and Cheltenham man Craig Williams has been charged following the discovery. A spokesman for North Wales Police said the charges related to driving a vehicle on common land, moorland or land which is not part of a road.
Williams, 39, of Bridgend Road, has been bailed to appear at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court on September 16.
Llanberis Mountain Rescue said vehicles were not allowed on the mountain and that it was amazing the driver had managed to get so high.
A spokesman for Snowdonia National Park Authority added: “This sort of incident is unacceptable and shows a lack of responsibility on behalf of the individual or individuals involved.
“Along with the obvious dangers posed by this type of incident, it could cause damage to the footpath and landscape, which means added work for the footpath teams.
“In respect of the severity of the incident, the Snowdonia National Park encourage the police to take firm action against the owner of the vehicle.
When approached by the Echo last night, Mr Williams said: “You wake up one morning and you are bored and want a new challenge.
“It seems insane, doesn’t it?
“I think they are making a mountain out of a molehill.
“The intention was to drive to the top and bring it back down again.
“It looks like I’ll have to pay thousands of pounds in recovery costs.
“I can’t say a lot about what else has happened at the moment.”
Mr Williams said the incident occurred when he was on a weekend break alone.
Speaking from his home in Bridgend Road , Craig’s father, Ken Williams, 70, added: “I didn’t know anything about it until I started getting some calls today.”

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