Walkers' bodies found on ridge near the summit of Wales' highest mountain

The bodies of two young men were found on a rocky ridge on Wales' highest mountain after they were reported missing, an inquest has heard.

Their bodies were found on Thursday at the 1,065m (3,500ft) Crib y Ddysgl ridge, between Crib Goch and the summit.

Kate Robertson, senior coroner for north west Wales, offered her "most sincere condolences" to the families and friends of the two men as she formally opened an inquest into their deaths.

The hearing was told a search for the two men, from Dereham in Norfolk, began on Wednesday afternoon.

Llanberis Mountain Rescue team worked through the night in extreme winter conditions as they tried to find the pair.

"Despite the determined and sustained commitment of everyone involved, we are deeply saddened that, despite all efforts, the outcome was not what we had hoped for," said Jurgen Dissmann, chair of the rescue team.

They were assisted by Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, along with an RAF Mountain Rescue Team and HM Coastguard.

On Friday, the coroner said she had requested a post-mortem examination of both men and was awaiting a cause of death.

She said there was "reasonable cause to suspect" both deaths were unnatural and required a full inquest, adjourning proceedings for further inquiries.

An online appeal to raise money for Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team in memory of the two has raised more than £12,000.

She and other family and friends also plan on running the Cambridge half-marathon to raise more money for the mountain rescue team.

Crib y Ddysgl can be accessed from the Pyg Track, which begins at Pen y Pass.

It is a grade 1 scramble, which means it involves elements of rock climbing and scrambling.

The route involves navigating extremely challenging terrain, significant exposure, steep pinnacles and drops on both sides.

It is not suitable for inexperienced walkers and mountaineers or in wet and windy weather.