Mountain rescue teams in North Wales are "at breaking point" and urgently need support, according to a North Wales MS, Sam Rowlands.
Mr Rowlands has called for greater assistance for rescue services in Wales and requested a statement from the Welsh Government about outdoor safety.
He highlighted the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, which has already surpassed last year's total of over 300 call-outs, describing this situation as "unsustainable."
He said: “The cross-party group for outdoor activities met on Friday in Llanberis, home to the busiest mountain rescue station in the UK.
“Last year, they responded to more than 300 call-outs, but this year they’ve already dealt with more cases than the whole of last year. They themselves say this level of demand is not sustainable.
Their service is entirely run by volunteers, without any Government funding, and some call-outs last for hours, involving many people who face challenging and, at times, tragic situations.
“They’ve reached breaking point. I’m asking for a statement from the Government outlining its position on outdoor safety and whether it can offer support to rescue services in Wales.”
Jane Hutt, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said she understood that health officials were working with mountain rescue teams about funding for some aspects of their operations and that the Welsh Government was exploring ways to provide support.
Mr Rowlands added: “I welcome any news of funding or assistance, which is urgently needed to keep these vital volunteer services running. Llanberis is the busiest mountain rescue station in the UK, and securing funds for this essential service is critical.”
In September, North Wales Live reported that mountain rescue teams were struggling due to "tourists flooding into the area" and more hikers on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), during one of their busiest summers.
At the time, Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team advised hikers visiting Eryri (Snowdonia) to ensure they were fully prepared for mountain walks. Nearly 250 call-outs were made during the summer alone, as concerns grew over the rising number of visitors.
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