Heartfelt tributes have been paid to two “amazing, kind and caring” young men who tragically lost their lives while hiking in Snowdonia.
Search teams located the bodies of 19-year-old Eddie Hill and 20-year-old Jayden Long on Yr Wyddfa — also known as Snowdon — on Thursday, February 19. The pair had been reported missing after setting out in freezing winter conditions, prompting an urgent search effort across the mountain’s rugged terrain.
Rescue teams battled harsh weather, low temperatures, and difficult ground conditions as they worked to locate the young hikers. Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, is a popular destination for walkers from across the UK, but winter conditions can transform familiar paths into treacherous routes within hours.
Eddie and Jayden, both from Dereham in Norfolk, had traveled to the area for what was meant to be an adventure — time spent outdoors, exploring one of the country’s most iconic landscapes. Instead, their families are now facing unimaginable grief.
In emotional online tributes, loved ones described the two friends as inseparable, full of laughter, and always looking out for others. Eddie was remembered as thoughtful and gentle, someone who brought warmth into every room he entered. Jayden was described as loyal and full of life, with a smile that could light up even the hardest days.
Friends shared photos of the pair smiling on past outings, capturing moments of friendship and youth that now feel heartbreakingly distant. Messages of support have flooded social media from classmates, colleagues, and members of the local community in Dereham, all expressing shock at the sudden loss.
Mountain rescue organizations often stress that conditions on Yr Wyddfa can deteriorate rapidly during winter months, with ice, snow, and strong winds increasing the risk even for prepared hikers. Authorities have not released full details of the circumstances but confirmed that the deaths are not being treated as suspicious.
As tributes continue to grow, the focus remains on remembering two young men whose lives were cut tragically short — not just as hikers on a mountain, but as sons, friends, and members of a tight-knit Norfolk community.
On the slopes of Snowdon, where breathtaking views usually reward those who reach the summit, there is now a heavy silence — and a reminder of how quickly adventure can turn to heartbreak.