Funeral for Yorkshire couple who died on Ben Nevis

The couple, Rachel Slater, 24 and Tim Newton, 27, were laid to rest together in Glen Nevis near to Britain’s highest peak.

Members of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, who led the searches for the couple, were pallbearers at the private service in Fort William.

In a statement on the team’s Facebook page, they said: “There was a small private funeral for Tim and Rachel in Fort William.

“Following a service at the Duncansburgh Church, the young couple were laid to rest together in Glen Nevis in the shadow of Ben Nevis.

“The team were honoured to be asked by the families to act as pallbearers.

“Two pipers from the team also played the lament which provided an emotional farewell. RIP Tim and Rachel.”

The experienced climbers, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, were reported missing on February 15 after failing to return from a climb on Ben Nevis.

Following extensive searches, often hampered by hazardous weather and avalanche risks, their bodies were found more than five weeks later on March 23.

They were found by a member of the public and carried off the mountain by members of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team.

Mr Newton was a member of Hinckley Mountaineering Club in Leicestershire before moving away to university.

Ms Slater is a graduate of Manchester University and is employed as an environmental consultant near Bradford.

She spent some time living and climbing in Canada, where her parents are still based.

It is believed the couple had been camping behind the Charles Inglis Clark memorial hut on the north side of Ben Nevis.

Multiple searches by rescue teams had been carried out for the couple, from Bradford, with efforts hampered by hazardous weather and avalanche risks.

The alarm was raised for the pair on Monday February 15 when they were reported overdue in returning from an expedition.