Introduction
Jack Carne, pictured on the left in the red jacket, was the friend who introduced his companions Matty and Brandan to the world of mountain climbing.
Two friends from northern England say that despite their disappointment, losing their best friend on a mountain in Snowdonia has not stopped them from climbing again.
Tragic Accident on Glyder Fawr
Jack Carne, aged 23, died after falling on Glyder Fawr mountain in February 2023 while climbing with his close friends Matty Belcher and Brandan Smith.
The two said that a return trip to the mountain with Jack's father has helped them begin adventuring together again.
Since then, they have climbed mountains worldwide in memory of Jack and scattered his ashes on the summit of Tryfan.
Brandan and Matty stated they will never stop climbing in memory of their friend Jack Carne.
The Day of the Accident
The three friends had travelled from South Yorkshire to North Wales for a weekend of camping and climbing when the accident occurred.
Brandan and Matty said the trip started "like every other adventure" they had undertaken with Jack.
However, about 10 metres from the summit of Glyder Fawr, a rock Jack had been holding onto became loose.
Before his friends could react, Jack fell.
Brandan, pictured on the right, said Jack had encouraged him to explore the mountains.
The two called for mountain rescue assistance, but it was not possible to save Jack.
They had to leave the mountain without their friend that night, before volunteers from the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team arrived the next day to recover his body.
Mountain Rescue Team Comments
Chris Lloyd from the rescue team described the accident as a "true tragedy."
"The boys had prepared well and planned thoroughly," he said.
"It affects us too - we are all mountaineers, and it shows that one mistake can lead to disaster."
Returning to the Mountain
Matty and Brandan said they never considered giving up climbing after losing their friend.
A week after the accident, they returned to Glyder Fawr with Jack's father, Rich, and mountain rescue volunteers.
Matty said Rich wanted to see the exact spot where the accident happened, and while returning to the site, they found Jack's cap near where he fell.
The two said that trip marked the beginning of a new chapter rather than the end of the story.
Spending Time with Jack's Father
Brandan and Matty said spending time with Jack's father, Rich, felt like "bringing a part of him with us."
"Since then, Jack's dad has regularly joined us on adventures," Brandan said.
"Going out with his dad is just like going out with Jack.
"We are always laughing and enjoying being together; it's great."
"We are always planning and choosing our next trips," Matty added.
Continuing the Adventures
Matty said Jack "would never have wanted" them to stop mountain climbing.
"Now we climb with his dad too, so it's like a part of him is still with us," he said.
The group has climbed peaks worldwide in memory of their friend.
Since Jack's death, Brandan and Matty have travelled around the world, including the Swiss Alps and Mount Toubkal in Morocco, often accompanied by Rich and his partner Andy on many of their adventures.
"Unfortunately, we didn't get the chance to do these things with Jack, so we keep going and ticking them off the list as we go," they said.
Memorial Service and Tribute
Jack's family and friends held a memorial service for him in the Ogwen Valley within Snowdonia National Park.
Reflecting on what Jack might think about his best friends now spending weekends walking mountains with his father, Brandan said he would "probably think it's a bit strange."
"But going out with his dad is just like going out with Jack," he said.
"It's like we're his best friends."
Climbing Tryfan and Scattering Ashes
The group climbed the summit of Tryfan before scattering Jack's ashes there.
Brandan said the most important trip was climbing Tryfan, a mountain Jack had always wanted to climb.
"Unfortunately, the accident happened before we could do that," Matty added.
"So after the funeral, we went up Tryfan with Jack's dad - and we scattered his ashes at the summit.
"It was a special feeling that we finally did it together," Matty said.
New Friendships with Rescue Team
In addition to finding new climbing partners in Jack's father and his partner Andy, the two have also formed close friendships with the mountain rescue crew who helped them that day.
"Since that day, we always stop by," Brandan said.
The two said they often ask the team questions about climbing, equipment, or even the best local biking routes.
"We go for coffee or cake with them too," Matty said.
"We've even gone out for a meal with some of them.
"They are always ready to help, and nothing is too much trouble.
"It feels like we've made new friends."
