These heeled boots were the footwear of choice for one new year’s walker climbing southern Britain’s highest peak.

Thousands flocked to Pen y Fan on Bank Holiday Monday, January 2 as the bright blue sky and snow capped peaks attracted walkers to the Brecon Beacons.

But while many wore suitable footwear and wrapped up warm Brecon Mountain Rescue Team has said many took to the Beacons poorly equipped for the terrain where weather conditions can change dramatically and temperatures on higher ground are often significantly cooler than many anticipate.

Walker Robert Bryan took the photo on Monday lunchtime, as he was descending Pen y Fan, and was astonished to see a woman heading up the mountain in boots more suited for the catwalk.

Robert, who posted the photograph to the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team Facebook page, said: "I took the photo to highlight the fact she was wearing completely the wrong attire as were many other people climbing the Beacons. Kids with parents who had clothes and trainers as if they were going for an afternoon stroll in the sun. Madness."

After Robert shared his photo on the mountain rescue team’s page many others also said they’d seen people, including families with children, climbing the mountain in trainers, shorts and thin clothing. Some called for better information so inexperienced walkers can prepare properly.

Mark Jones, deputy team leader of Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, said its volunteers attended two incidents on paths leading to Pen y Fan on Monday.

He said though the walkers who’d fallen were well prepared many others were not.

He said conditions were so icy on Monday that crampons and spikes were needed.

Mr Jones said members of the rescue team had also seen the woman with the heeled boots.

He said: "Monday was a nice day but very cold on the hills and there was lots of ice, particularly at the start of the day. A number of people were walking up in just trainers and we even saw one woman in jeans and high heel boots.

"Pen y Fan is very accessible and people maybe don’t think about what they’re wearing and what might happen if they have an accident or have to stand around for a long period of time. People need to think about layers of clothing and appropriate footwear. On Monday walking spikes were needed for the Pen y Fan, Storey Arms path as it was so icy and two thirds of the way up there was snow."