Police and mountain rescue teams said today they were still hopeful of finding missing journalist Gavin Nightingale safe and well.

Still missing - Gavin Nightingale

Bad weather and the risk of avalanche has prevented search and rescue teams from ascending the mountain since hill walker Mr Nightingale, 38, was reported missing on Saturday.

A team was due to go out today to assess whether conditions will be good enough for a large-scale search to take place this weekend. Rescuers have been further hampered as they do not know Mr Nightingale's exact location.

A spokesman for Northern Constabulary said: "We are hopeful of coming to a successful conclusion and finding Mr Nightingale safe.

"It has been nearly a week now, so naturally the chances are not as high as they were due to the weather conditions. We won't give up hope. Mr Nightingale's family are in close contact with the police and every effort will be made to find him."

Mr Nightingale, an experienced and well-equipped hill walker, spent much of his time away from work pursuing his hobby. He left his personal belongings at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, where he was staying.

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Published Thursday, February 17, 2005

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