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

Piers Gill, Scafell Pike – Sun 4th Feb 2024

A call was received from Cumbria Police about a walker who was requesting help for herself and also because she could not contact her partner for several hours. They had split up close to the summit, with the male walker ascending the final stretch in the mist, intending to return within a short time. When the male walker failed to return, and after a phone call saying that he had lost the path and was scrambling down on steep ground the informant was increasingly concerned when no further contact was possible. The Team Leader made a full callout and also…

Eskdale – Sun 4th Feb 2024

An alert was received yesterday from Cumbria Police about walkers who were unaware of their location and were cold and wet. The location from the initial call put them on the path in Upper Eskdale and a further one a few minutes later confirmed that they were heading in the right direction and not too far from the road. The situation was monitored by the Team Leader until confirmation was received that the party was safe and well and off the fell. https://www.adventuresmart.uk/ #BeAdventureSmart and make a good day better. Ask yourself three questions before you set off: 1. Do…

Mosedale – Fri 2nd Feb 2024

A call was received from Cumbria Police about a lone male walker and his dog. The walker had suffered an ankle injury on the descent, was unable to walk and getting cold. He had been able to report via iPhone satellite emergency call. His location was about halfway up towards Wind Gap. The Team Leader made a full callout, with the first vehicle away quickly as members were already in base. Happily, shortly after leaving the vehicle at Wasdale Head a single head torch was seen. It was confirmed that this was the casualty, and he had managed a slow…

Wasdale Head – Sun 28th Jan 2024

A brief alert last Sunday evening. Four walkers and two dogs were reported overdue from a walk up Great Gable from Seathwaite. Information was being gathered by the Team Leader when a Phonefind struck lucky and got a grid reference….. in the pub. The walkers had taken a wrong turn on the descent from Great Gable, ending up in the wrong valley, resulting in either an unplanned stay or a long and expensive taxi journey. 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.…

Upper Eskdale – Mon 22nd Jan 2024

On Monday evening, as the team were arriving for weekly training, an alert from Cumbria Police was received. Two walkers attempting to climb Scafell Pike had strayed into Upper Eskdale and reported themselves lost, cold and in need of help. Fortunately the police call was able to establish coordinates. Unfortunately the location was in a remote situation at the edge of our operational area. That meant a long wait for the pair as the team mobilised with a hasty party taking the shorter route from Wasdale, and others via Eskdale in case they walked downhill. Once the team were on…

Scafell Pike – Fri 19th Jan 2024

As the team were travelling to the Wasdale Head Inn last Friday for the team annual dinner, an alert was received for two walkers lost and cold on Scafell Pike. However, our friends from Duddon and Furness MRT were covering for the evening and they efficiently sorted it with the help of Rescue 199. See their post below. Huge thanks DFMRT once again They are currently fundraising for a new base so any donations would be greatly appreciated. https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/donate?cid=142595…