A mysterious light led to a team of 16 volunteers from Aberdyfi climbing Cader Idris at night.

Shortly before 9.30pm on Wednesday, 4 December, and midway through a committee meeting, call-handlers from Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team were alerted to an unusual light spotted on the mountain.

Concerns were raised by a caller living in the Minffordd area. The light had been seen continuously from around 5pm.

Team volunteer Graham O’Hanlon said: “Lights on the mountain are not that unusual, particularly at this time of year,” he said.

“Walkers appropriately equipped with navigational tools and torches can enjoy the hills safely long after dark.

“However this light was situated away from the principal routes up and down the mountain, and although the weather was largely calm and bright, it was not an obvious choice for wild camping.

“Unusually in this instance the bright light was completely stationary and situated high above a farm at the foot of the mountain.

“By the time we were alerted to the issue it had been wholly night for some hours, but the light had continued to shine around.

“Team volunteers wisely started the investigations by establishing that all the shepherds and flocks were accounted for, and that nothing unusual was happening in the cowsheds, but all was calm.

“As the initial parties made their way up the hill to investigate the source, the light, which up to this point had been wreathed in mist, cleared and shone on high. It became clear what we were looking at and we were so surprised we needed to check it twice.”

Viewing the scene by binoculars, rescuers could see that on the very top of the ridge, overlooking the Tal-y-llyn pass, a couple of trees had been decorated with solar fairy lights.

“We left the lights in place as they are not our property,” Graham explained.

“Although they look nice, it is a little naughty to be leaving equipment like that on the mountain, and we will monitor the situation. We would hope that the lights are removed by 6 January.”

He added: “This incident turned out to be a well-intentioned false alarm, but we are always happy to go and investigate concerns, and were quite amused by this one.”