Mountain rescue teams fear missing mountain climber Harvey Christian is buried underneath a 'fresh' blanket of snow on Ben Nevis. Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team have been using a drone and a helicopter in an attempt to locate the hiker from Peterborough but say the search is 'sadly a recovery operation'.
The 42-year-old was last seen over a week ago on the 'zig zag' path more than halfway up Ben Nevis' 4,413ft summit. His black Vauxhall Crossland X car was uncovered a day later parked up in a lay-by in Glen Nevis, Cambridgeshire Live reports.
Rescuers have been using drones in some of the 'hard to reach gullies on the lower slopes' but there has been no sign of Harvey since he embarked on his climb on January 27. The rescue team confirmed there has been 'fresh snow' since his disappearance which they are concerned he may be hidden under.
They said: "We have had the conditions against us most of the time and we will now look when we are able, but it is now sadly a recovery operation.”
The team has urged other hikers to 'keep an eye out' and added that a rescue helicopter has also been brought in for the search.
The hiker set off from the Glen Nevis visitor centre on Friday January 27 at around 10.30am. Mr Christian has been described as 6ft 2ins, of heavy build and with fair hair as Police Scotland has appealed for any public sightings.
Sergeant Brian Heriot previously said: "We believe Harvey was planning to climb Ben Nevis on Friday but he has not returned to his car and concerns are growing for his welfare. We don't know what he was wearing or what equipment he had with him.
"His most likely route to Ben Nevis would have been from the Glen Nevis visitor centre. We are appealing to anyone who has been out walking or climbing in the area and may have seen him to get in touch."
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