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 – Sat 30th Aug 2025
Cumbria Police contacted the team regarding a father and son overdue from a walk up Scafell Pike. Their hotel had raised concern based on their planned route and return time. Team Leaders began investigation and later it was confirmed the pair had arrived safely at a YHA in a different valley after a navigational error. No deployment was required and a good outcome, in what could have turned into a large scale search.
Lingmell Col, Scafell Pike – Sat 30th Aug 2025
With incident 116 ongoing, Cumbria Police reported two walkers lost whilst descending Scafell Pike. The Team Leader investigated and PhoneFind located them below Lingmell Col. The Team Leader provided directions back to the path, and from they walked off independently. No further action from the team was required.
Lingmell Col, Scafell Pike – Sat 30th Aug 2025
A call was received from Cumbria Police regarding a male walker with head and leg injuries near Lingmell Col. The team was deployed quickly, however located the casualty much lower down than expected. Thankfully his injuries were superficial, caused by being blown over in strong wind. The walker descended unaided and was advised to seek hospital evaluation.
Scafell Pike – Fri 29th Aug 2025
A busy weekend started on Friday evening when Cumbria Police reported a group of eight walkers who were lost, wet, cold, and tired on Scafell Pike. The Team Leader contacted them and guided them off the hill remotely after a PhoneFind to determine their exact location. All returned safely to their vehicle without MRT deployment. A good outcome.
Wast Water – Tue 26th Aug 2025
A call was received from NWAS requesting assistance for a car stuck off the roadside near Wast Water. As further investigation, the team was not deployed as this is not within the scope of the team. A local recovery company ultimately attended and assisted the family.
Wast Water – Mon 25th Aug 2025
Last Bank Holiday Monday, we received a call from Cumbria Police about people potentially lost in the water at Wast Water requiring assistance. They had received multiple calls reporting similar things about paddle boarders in distress. Further information suggested that one person was unaccounted for. Multiple emergency services were activated immediately, including ourselves. WMRT team members close by responded and were on scene shortly after a police officer arrived. Initially it appeared that all people were accounted for, but two had not returned to their family and information was anecdotal, so their safety was not assumed. As more team members…