Mountain Rescue Call Outs

Mountain Rescue - Helicopter Scarfell Pike

Be safe, do not become a statistic

There is no intention here to discourage you from exploring the uplands of our beautiful countryside, just to say – Be prepared & don’t take unnecessary risks.
Just realise that if you are going into the hills or mountains there are greater risks of slips and falls, the most common reason for people requiring rescuing – there can be a longer rescue time as you will be away from habitation/roads. 
Maybe 2 or 3 hours until someone can get to you.
Look at the weather forecast – take suitable clothing.
Have a plan of where you are going – let someone know, so if you are delayed or injured, the rescue services have some idea, where you maybe. 
Know how to navigate. How long will the route take – Naismith’s Rule as a guide. Will you be back before it gets dark?
You have planned your route – I must stick to it – if that route becomes unsafe – a gentle stream becomes a rushing torrent – re route to avoid the danger.
Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the conditions.  Carry an extra layer, if going higher, it can get, chilly. Plus a hat & gloves in autumn & winter.
Take a little extra food, just in case. [sufficient drink, a small bottle of Cola is not going to get you up and down Snowdon]
Carry a torch & whistle to summon help -[6 blasts on a whistle or flashes of the torch repeated at one minute intervals is the recognised signal for assistance in the mountains. ](or modern day SOS GPS locator). Your mobile phone may not have a signal, you have a greater chance with a text message. Pre register your phone –   https://www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html
Carry a first aid kit – have some knowledge.
Carry a Bivi bag – it can stop you getting cold and wet, the wind can chill you down quickly, being wet, makes it worse.
Enjoy yourself, you need adventure in your life. Take plenty of breaks, enjoy the journey, getting to the top is only part of it. Don’t be afraid to turn back – “I’ve travelled all this way to get here I must finish” – the hill, mountain will still be there another day.

Cleveland MRT - Rescue Scugdale North York Moors

Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team - Barkers Crag, Scugdale 02102024

The local Mountain Rescue Team – Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team were called out by Yorkshire Ambulance Service to assist in recovering a patient who had twisted their ankle whilst descending from Barkers Crag, Scugdale near Swainby, North York Moors. 
The team were glad to assist, recovered the patient, then went on to continue their training.
See the full story here: –

https://www.facebook.com/share/PGQqb49oKz5EykJT/

Lake District - Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team - Please prepare before you venture into the mountains

30th September 2024 – Three walkers who had ventured up Scarfell Pike, all became “lost” on the summit and ended up at the Mickledore emergency box.
The walkers were able to be directed by radio, safely off the mountain.

The Question to ask yourself before venturing into the mountains

Scarfell Pike - Image by Peer Lowther
Wasdale MRT stretcher carry

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team - Busy weekend -over reliance on technology

BBC News article about the increase of call outs by Wasdale  Mountain Rescue team in The Lake District National Park due to ill equipped mountain users. 

1) if you use technology, carry a paper map & a compass & the ability to use them as a back up.
2) please check the Mountain weather reports, the weather in the valley bottoms can be so different to that on the mountain tops.
3) wear and carry suitable clothing/footwear and carry the correct equipment.
4) the mountains will be there hopefully for the next few million years, if you make the wrong decision to carry on regardless, you may not! Come back another day, if the conditions are not suitable for your equipment & skill level.

Click the link below, to read the article.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx82rp00lgjo

Peak District - It went wrong for the runner, his friends did RIGHT

It is NOT ALL DOOM & GLOOM on this page!!!!
The Glossop MRT reminded people, that although the Peak District may not be the highest & remote, it still has its challenges.
A runner on a had a medical episode, his friends DID THE RIGHT THING!!! KEPT HIM WARM AND CALLED THE MOUNTAIN RESCUE.
27 Members of Glossop MRT were involved, the casualty was brought safely off the fell. Incidents a happen well done to everyone.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gdglqlypqo

 

 

Peak District - Runner collapsed - his friends did right
Patterdale MRT vehicle

Patterdalew Mountain Rescue Team - Called out after a group of males "Following influencers needed help".

A group of males left Glenridding on Saturday 14th September

2024 intending to camp on Scarfell Pike, they left late and arrived on the mountain later than they anticipated. Having seen ‘others’ camp there on social media.
The weather deteriorated, with wind and rain, so at first they were unable to erect their tent.
Luckily they were able to, and were advised by MRT to stay where they were until the morning.
You only gain experience by experiencing, but do it in little steps. Don’t put other people (MRT) in danger, because you follow influencers. Camp lower in more sheltered locations, until you gain that experience. [my humble opinion]

Click the link below, to read the article.

https://cumbriacrack.com/2024/09/16/rescuers-called-after-social-media-inspired-lake-district-wild-camp-goes-wrong/

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team</b

A report about two walkers who “misnavigated”.
The two walkers were attempting to return to Langdale, but were walking it appears in the opposite direction. So they were in the Upper Esk Dale. 
Mountain Rescue called, as at 9.30 pm at night, they didn’t have torches, so could not get safely off the mountain.
1) We don’t know the full events. Did they believe they were heading in the correct direction, without checking. It is too easy to see a well defined path, heading in what you believe to be to your destination. You’re too busy talking, and oops! You’re in the wrong valley.
Had they checked the direction with a compass?
Were they carrying a map, or just a route from a magazine?
Did they know how to read a map?
Were they using an App?

There are too many unknowns in the article.
2) They were tired, you can make the map fit!
3) They took bearings, with the compass facing South rather than North on the map – tired & confused.
4) Their compass had reversed polarity

If you read the comments there are lots of armchair warriors. It is easy, sitting indoors, when out there, it can be a lot more confusing.

Mistakes are made, luckily no one was hurt, maybe a little pride. You learn by doing. You learn by the mistakes you make. You need to practice the skills, so you don’t make the mistakes when tired, cold and confused.

Read the article here: –
https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/24576595.lake-district-walkers-rescued-misnavigating/

Wasdale MRT - rescue "misnavigated walkers"
Tryfan Oqwen Valley

Ogwan Valley Mountain Rescue Team

BBC News article about the increase of call outs by Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue team in Snowdonia National Park / Eryri, due to ill equipped mountain users.

Click the link below

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51y19pn0l7o

 

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team

9th August 2024 – a solo backpacker – having to be rescued from Helvellyn – due to unexpected high winds & rain. (They were both forecast, so NOT unexpected).
The conditions at 800 metres/ 300 feet can be so different from those in the valley, even in the height of summer (did we have one in 2024?). When it started going wrong, he contacted Mountain Rescue. He was in danger, better safe than sorry.
I have no idea of the equipment he was using or his experience. The fact he was 21 years old has nothing to do with it. I’m not judging him, I have & still do camp on top of mountains – having checked the weather reports.

https://keswickreminder.co.uk/2024/08/09/adventurous-21-year-old-rescued-from-helvellyn-and-is-told-off-by-his-mum/

If you look at the mountain weather forecast for that date – forecast of winds of 50mph on top of the mountains. Not sensible, to camp on top of the mountain. (YouTube – influencers camping out in “named storms” to test themselves & equipment – was he influenced?).
The forecast is below: –
https://www.mwis.org.uk/assets/forecasts/ld-mwi-wm13836_2024-08-07_151033_9805.pdf

Keswick Mountain Rescue - Helvellyn

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team</b

View the call outs to Wasdale Mountain Team.
The list of incidents are many & varied.

Click the link below

https://www.wmrt.org.uk/incidents/

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team - stretcher rescue

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team - safe route

Advice about the safest route up and down Scarfell Pike, by Wasdale MRT, including lots of advice

Click the link below

https://www.wmrt.org.uk/advice/the-easiest-way-up-scafell-pike/

 

Sacrfell Pike - a warning

Scarfell Pike is the highest mountain peak in England 
but the third highest in the UK, after Ben Nevis and Snowdon. It is often used by people completing the “Three peaks challenge” for charity.
This can often lead people to thinking it is just a walk in the park, and not respecting the mountain. 
Read this interesting article in the “Cumbria Crack”.

Click the link below

https://cumbriacrack.com/2024/08/30/if-you-cant-navigate-your-way-off-scafell-pike-it-can-kill-you-everything-you-need-to-know-about-this-lake-district-icon/

Scarfell massive - Photo by Matt Le Voi
Scarfell Massive - photo by Matt le Voi

Scottish Mountain Rescue

The annual reports by Scottish Mountain Rescue, show that nearly 50% of their call outs were either due to people being lost or navigational errors. Why it is important not to only have the correct navigational equipment, but know how to use it

Click the link below

https://www.scottishmountainrescue.org/facts-and-statistics/

Scottish Mountain Rescue logo