The 35 year-old man had set out up the Pony Path from Ty Nant with his wife at about 7:45 p.m. At Rhiwgwaredydd, the path junction at the 560 m contour, the lady became concerned by the dropping cloud-base and encroaching darkness and decided to turn for home. The man, some distance ahead, was informed of her decision by phone and said that she should wait at the car and that he would be about 30 minutes behind her.
By around 10:30 p.m., with no sign of her lightly clothed and equipped husband, no car keys, and no mobile signal, the lady sought assistance from a nearby campsite who gave her a lift to Dolgellau and she was able to contact North Wales Police. Once back in signal, her phone showed that the man had made repeated attempts to call her, but his phone was now going straight to voicemail.
The Team was called out to assist in the search for the man but at 12:58 a.m., just as many of the Team Volunteers were starting their journey to Ty Nant, he made it back to his car and the call-out was stood down.
At least one team member was back in bed by 1:00 a.m.