Red-faced ramblers who got stuck at the top of blizzard-ravaged Ben Nevis have kissed and made up with their rescuers.
, three of them wearing trainers.
They got stranded near the summit and would have froze to death but for the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team.
Their stupidity was roundly condemned and their rescuers said they gave real climbers “a bad name”.
But yesterday their rescuers said: “Let us just cut the guys a little bit of slack.”
And the lucky lads, said to be foreign students based in Glasgow, have apologised with £200 cash, whisky, wine and chocolates.
In a statement, the rescue team said the group confessed to “a significant error of judgement” and were “extremely sorry”.
The team added: “These were very young guys who without any prompting made a very generous gesture which is very much appreciated.
“Not everyone rescued appreciates that we are not full time or not paid to be at their beck and call. Stay safe.”
When the team branded the young men “idiots” on Monday night the social media post went viral.
The team said: “Thanks to everyone for their messages of support to the team - very much appreciated.
“The incident has created a huge amount of media/public/government and international interest and comment.
“The guys were just members of the public who perhaps were unaware of what they were getting into.”
The 22-strong team scrambled on Monday found the four huddled on an icy slope.
Three wore flimsy trainers and one of them was so cold his hands had frozen stiff and he could zip up his anorak.
The Lochaber MRT leaders also responded to those calling for charging and insurance for rescued mountaineers and hill walkers. They said: “Be careful for what ask for, as where do you stop, insurance for fishing, rugby, football all of which have more incidents and injuries than mountaineering.
“Mountain rescuers are all mountaineers who volunteer their services at absolutely minimal cost to the public purse.
“Insurance would lead to a professional service, which, for this incident would have required about 30 full-time paid people on one single shift plus equipment etc.”
They added: “Leave as is, as we have a world class voluntary mountain rescue service which delivers via public donations.”
