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
Brown Tongue, Scafell Pike – Sat 14th Jun 2025
The Team Leader was called by North West Ambulance Service about a walker who had fallen and suffered a painful injury to their ankle, rendering him unable to bear any weight. The team was called out and made their way to the location, just above the stream crossing on Brown Tongue. After a medical assessment and some pain relief, the ankle was splinted, and the walker was transferred to the team stretcher. After a routine descent, the walker was handed over to a waiting ambulance at Brackenclose for further assessment and treatment at the hospital. We wish the casualty a…
Lingmell Col, Scafell Pike – Thu 12th Jun 2025
The team was called by the North West Ambulance Service about a walker who was suffering from a medical emergency with ongoing bleeding. She was at the summit of Scafell Pike several hundred metres above the cloud base. The team was rapidly called out, and urgent helicopter assistance was also requested. Helimed 08 from Blackpool quickly mobilised but was thwarted by the weather and low cloud base. Coastguard helicopter Rescue 199 also responded but was unable to access, however, stood by to support in any way possible. With a rapid evacuation ruled out, team members made their way as quickly…
Haystacks – Wed 11th Jun 2025
A short alert after a call was received from Cumbria Police about a walker who had sustained a head injury. The location was given as Haystacks. The informant was not able to be immediately contacted, and as Haystacks is not in our response area, a call was made to Cockermouth MRT. After the location was confirmed, the callout was transferred to them, and the Team Leader stood down.
Brown Tongue, Scafell Pike – Sat 7th Jun 2025
The team was called by Cumbria Police about a walker who had fallen and injured her ankle. After trying to continue, she was no longer able to bear weight. A full callout was made and team members made their way to the scene. After a medical assessment, the offending ankle was splinted to provide pain relief and stability, after which a routine stretcher carry was made to Brackenclose. The walker was then transferred to one of her party’s vehicle for onward transfer to hospital and further assessment. We wish her a quick recovery and hope she is back on the…
Mickledore, Scafell Pike – Sat 7th Jun 2025
An overnight alert that was dealt with through technology, assistance from others and mobile phones. The Team Leader was alerted by Cumbria Police about a group of walkers who set off at 6pm and then were benighted and lost after summiting. With temperatures around 4C, they were becoming very cold and concerned for their safety. Initially it proved difficult to speak directly with the group, but then a passing group of two walkers undertaking the three peaks made contact, as they were now with the group needing assistance. With their location established near to Mickledore via PhoneFind, the passing walkers…
Kirkfell – Sat 31st May 2025
A call was received from Cumbria Police when a walker was reported significantly overdue. He was planning to visit the waterfalls at Ill Gill on Kirk Fell but had not returned to Wasdale Head when expected. A full callout was made to have sufficient resources to search and rescue from within the gill, including drone capability for a rapid search of the hazardous area. Extra help was given once again from Duddon MRT. However, as the team was starting the ground search, the good news was received that the walker had come back into mobile signal and was now in…