Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team has been assisting people in the western fells of the Lake District for over 50 years. We cover England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, and respond to over one hundred calls for help each year. The team consists of approximately forty ‘professional volunteers’ who give their time to help those in need, whatever the weather, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information please read our about page. We rely on generous donations from the public to fund the team. Once a year, we recruit a new intake of probationary members.

Recent Rescues

Scafell Pike – Wed 28th Feb 2024

In the first of two callouts in quick succession, a party of 4 young and inexperienced walkers reported themselves lost, wet, cold and concerned for their safety. They had seemingly mis-navigated in poor conditions off the summit and then lost the path. The Team Leader directed them back to the summit from where a ‘talk-off’ is possible, but one of the walkers was struggling to walk. As such a full callout was made for a potential stretcher carry. However, a further call was made from the party shortly afterwards with better news that they were back on a path and…

Upper Eskdale – Sun 18th Feb 2024

A call was received from North West Ambulance Service about a party of four walkers who were uninjured, lost and cold. They were struggling to find their way to safety and requested help. Coordinates were able to be converted from the 999 calls. The team was called out and mobilised to Upper Eskdale, and made their way to the given location. The walkers were found as expected, rewarmed and were then able to walk themselves back out of the valley to the team vehicles and back to base. https://www.adventuresmart.uk/ #BeAdventureSmart and make a good day better.

Scafell Pike – Sat 17th Feb 2024

As the first incident of the day was progressing, a further call was received from Cumbria Police. A walker had been separated on his ascent from Scafell Pike, and had not been seen or heard from for around 3 hours. Due to the conditions, the lack of additional clothing, and the fact that the team was already committed to a stretcher carry, early support for a possible search was requested from Duddon and Furness MRT. Thankfully, shortly afterwards the good news was received that the walker had made it down safely. Thanks to Duddon and Furness MRT for their willingness…

Black Sail Pass – Sat 17th Feb 2024

The team was called on Saturday afternoon regarding a walker who had slipped, injuring her ankle and was unable to bear weight. Another member of the party had descended to Wasdale Head to raise the alarm in the absence of an adequate mobile signal on the fell. The team was called out and members made their way towards Black Sail Pass. Once on scene a medical assessment was made and the leg was splinted. A stretcher carry was then made to Wasdale Head where a waiting ambulance provided further assessment. We wish the walker a swift recovery from her injury.

Scafell Pike – Tue 13th Feb 2024

A brief call on Tuesday about a walker and his son, who had lost their way and descending on an unintended path. They were concerned that they were lost and not prepared for walking in the dark. As further information was being gathered the good news was received that they had made it back to their intended destination and the team was stood down. https://www.adventuresmart.uk/ #BeAdventureSmart and make a good day better. Ask yourself three questions before you set off: 1. Do I have the right GEAR ? 2. Do I know what the WEATHER will be like? 3. Am…

Mickledore, Scafell Pike – Sat 10th Feb 2024

A call was received from Cumbria Police yesterday morning. A walker had slipped and taken a significant tumble fall in Foxes Tarn gully on the descent from Scafell. He had sustained a head injury which was bleeding heavily, and felt like he could lose consciousness. A full callout was made quickly. Helimed 58 also lifted but was unable to land due to the weather conditions with cloud unhelpfully hanging over the Scafell summits. Coastguard helicopter support was requested and Rescue 199 responded from Prestwick. Again weather thwarted attempts to directly access the casualty, and so an offer to move team…