Two climbers inexplicably survived a near-1,3000 plunge on the UK's highest mountain - with the rising temperatures credited for keeping them alive.
One of the men walked away unscathed while his pal broke bones in the latest incident on Ben Nevis as the pair were described by rescuers as "very lucky".
The friends, who have yet to be named, landed in soft snow where only days earlier there was potentially fatal hardened ice below.
A similar fall in freezing conditions tragically cost 28-year-old Samuel Crawford his life on March 8.
The two climbers were roped together when they both plunged in Green Gully on the 4413ft high mountain.
Though one of the men miraculously escaped with few injuries, the other received multiple broken bones.
More than 15 members of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team were sent in a five-hour operation on Saturday.
They were at about 4000 feet up the peak when they fell.
Donald Paterson, deputy team leader of Lochaber MRT, said: "The two men were extremely lucky.
"The snow had softened up with the recent rising temperatures and was not as icy as it has been.
"In a way the change in weather saved them.
"So they landed in soft snowfields otherwise they would not be alive.
"Falling that height a few days earlier in the harder conditions would have killed them almost certainly.
"But in one chap's case, he walked away almost unscathed. The other guy was seriously injured.
"They fell something like 400 metres (1312ft). It was quite a fall so the soft snow saved them."
The men were in their 30s and at least one was from the Manchester area.
John Stevenson, leader of Lochaber MRT, added that the Inverness-based coastguard search and rescue helicopter was able to winch a number of team members into Coire na Ciste where we were able to assess, treat and package the seriously injured climber before lowering him to a spot where he could be winched for onward transport to hospital.
"We wish the casualty all the best in his recovery. He had a lot of broken bones," said Mr Stevenson.
"We would continue to advise people to be well prepared and take extra care in the conditions.
"Over the past few weeks, there has been mutual assistance in Glencoe and Lochaber, between us and our sister team Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team, who have also been extremely busy."
The body of a hillwalker who went missing in Glencoe was recovered at the weekend.
Neil Gillingham, 43, from Kilmarnock, was the seventh death on Scotland's mountains in just over two weeks.
He was last seen near the summit of 3632ft high Stob Coire Nam Beith while on a planned trek in Glencoe.
Despite extensive searches, he had not been previously found - though his spaniel Cooper was recovered safe and well.
The discovery came after Mr Crawford from Newtownards, County Down, plunged 1000 feet to his death on Ben Nevis during a day when more than 20 other people - including a group of soldiers - needed rescuing from the UK's highest mountain.
Two of the soldiers were treated in hospital for minor injuries.
Devout Christian Mr Crawford was married just 18 months ago and his wife is expecting their first child.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team has since last Saturday week had 13 callouts and now recovered 28 casualties.
Police Scotland is appealing to hill users and mountaineers to plan ahead and take extra care after the spate of fatalities and other incidents.
Inspector Matt Smith, Police Scotland Mountain Rescue coordinator said: "The onset of spring has brought some more settled weather patterns and a welcome increase in daylight hours.
"We would urge those seeking to venture into the outdoors to take extra care.
"Challenging winter conditions still prevail in the hills with large areas totally covered in snow and ice.
"It is vitally important to understand the risks of your activity, the experience of your group, the prevailing weather conditions during, and at your intended destination and that suitable equipment is carried to allow you to navigate safely over steep or icy terrain.
"Make a plan, don't be afraid to adapt and make sure you think about what to do if things go wrong.
"If you do need emergency help on the mountains, dial 999, ask for the police and then for Mountain Rescue."
