Our best friend fell 200ft to his death on a mountain but wouldn’t want us to stop hiking
Friends Turned Grief Into New Adventure
Our best friend fell 200ft to his – Three companions set out on a weekend journey to the mountains of north Wales, hoping to escape the routine of their lives in South Yorkshire. What began as a typical climbing trip quickly became a story of loss and resilience. When 23-year-old Jack Carne slipped on a rock while ascending Wales’ fifth highest peak, Glyder Fawr, the other two friends, Matty Belcher and Brandan Smith, were left to face the aftermath. The accident, which occurred just 10 meters from the summit, left them with a somber realization: life could change in an instant.
The Unimaginable Fall
Jack’s misfortune happened during a routine climb. “We’d probably walked for about four hours—then it all went wrong,” Matty recalled. The friends had no reason to suspect danger, as the route felt familiar and manageable. Yet, as Jack reached for a boulder, it dislodged from its perch, sending him plummeting 200 feet (60 meters) into the valley below. Before his companions could react, the mountain claimed him. Brandan and Matty immediately called for help, but mountain rescue teams were powerless to intervene in time.
“It was no harder than anything we’d done before—it was actually easier than a lot of stuff we’d done before. It just could have been anybody,” Matty said.
Hours later, the friends found themselves stranded on a ledge, waiting for volunteers to retrieve Jack’s body. The recovery took place the next day, as the team from Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue worked to bring back the remains from the rocky slopes of Glyder Fawr. The tragedy struck in February 2023, leaving a deep emotional scar on the two survivors.
Closure on the Same Path
In the days following the accident, the friends were left grappling with their loss. Jack’s father, Rich, reached out to check on their well-being after the police interview. “Were you ok?” he asked, prompting a shared sense of vulnerability. For many, such a moment might have ended any desire to hike, but Matty and Brandan chose to keep going. “They said it was a freak accident,” Brandan explained. “It was just timing. The boulder that took Jack—it could have gone in a week’s time, a year’s time. It just happened to go then and there.”
“The boys were well equipped and well organised,” said Chris Lloyd, a rescuer from Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue. “It affects us as well. We’re all mountaineers—and it brings home the reality that one slip can lead to disaster.”
Rich, determined to find peace, asked the boys to return to the site of the accident. Just a week later, they climbed back up Glyder Fawr with the father of their fallen friend. The journey was meant to provide closure, but it also marked the beginning of a new chapter. “Jack’s dad wanted a bit of closure,” Matty noted. “They took us back up to where they found him. We had about half an hour there, asking questions.”
Memories and New Bonds
During that visit, they discovered Jack’s cap still resting near the spot where he fell—a poignant reminder of the day. The experience deepened their connection with Rich and his partner, Andy, who joined their expeditions. Over time, the trio forged a bond that transcended the tragedy, with Matty and Brandan embarking on global adventures, sharing the same passion for climbing that had once brought them together. “Climbing mountains is not something Jack ever would have wanted us to stop doing,” Matty reflected. “And now we’re doing it with his dad—it’s like we’re bringing a piece of him with us.”
Rich’s presence on the mountain became a source of strength for the friends. What started as a search for closure turned into a shared journey, with the three of them exploring peaks across the world. Each climb carried the weight of Jack’s memory, but also the joy of continuing their favorite activity. “After that, we just started going out together all the time,” Brandan remembered. “It just feels like talking to a mate—it’s brilliant.”
Mountains and Resilience
Jack’s accident was not an isolated event. Rescue teams in England and Wales have seen a significant increase in callouts, with the number doubling over the past decade. By 2024, more than 3,000 annual incidents are expected, reflecting the growing popularity of outdoor activities. In north Wales alone, 23 fatalities were recorded last year—up from 14 in 2015. The region, home to two of the busiest mountain rescue teams in the UK, continues to face challenges as more people seek adventure.
Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue, which retrieved Jack’s body, plays a critical role in the area. Their efforts highlight the unpredictability of nature and the importance of preparedness. “One slip can lead to disaster,” Chris Lloyd emphasized, underscoring the lessons learned from Jack’s story. For Matty and Brandan, the accident became a catalyst for renewed purpose. Despite the grief, they found solace in the fact that their friendship with Jack’s father had grown stronger, turning loss into legacy.
A Legacy of Adventure
Jack’s dream of climbing Tryfan, a nearby peak, remained unfulfilled. But the friends made it their mission to honor that ambition. “Jack always wanted to do Tryfan,” Brandan said, “but we never got to do it with him.” The trip to Tryfan, now shared with Rich and Andy, symbolized the enduring impact of their bond. Even as they navigated the peaks of the world, the memory of Jack lingered, a constant companion on their journeys. The tragedy had not ended their love for the mountains—it had transformed it, forging a path of resilience and connection that would carry them forward.