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
Lords Rake, Scafell – Tue 22nd Sep 2026
Tuesday night, Cumbria Police received a call from a member of the public who could hear shouting on the fells. No exact location — just a voice somewhere in the dark. Our team leader spoke with the informant, who gave a good description putting the sound south of his position, in the Lord’s Rake area. The shouted reply back confirmed a fall, with head, arm, back and leg injuries. Wasdale deployed. Given the terrain and the rope rescue that would be needed, Duddon & Furness MRT were also called out, along with Coastguard helicopter R897. R897 initially hoped to carry…
Lingmell Beck – Mon 21st Sep 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding a 46‑year‑old male with an ankle injury near the Lingmell Beck crossing. Wasdale MRT deployed and stretchered the casualty off the hill, transporting him back to base. He was then handed over to the ambulance for onward care.
Great Hall Gill – Sun 20th Sep 2026
Cumbria Police received a call about a male who had taken a fall of around 5m into Great Hall Gill. He had managed to get out of the water, but was not able to walk out. After a short search to locate the casualty, team members got on scene to assess him while a rope rescue team assessed the options for extrication. Coastguard R897 was called to provide a direct winch option, with rope rescue held as a backup, as the rope system was particularly challenging given limited anchor points. The casualty and his partner were airlifted onward to hospital.
Hollowstones, Scafell Pike – Sat 19th Sep 2026
Cumbria Police received a call from a group of four doing the Three Peaks, one of whom had an injured knee. The team leader managed to speak with them and supported them to self rescue, monitoring their progress by phone as they made their way down. They all made it down safely.
Little Narrowcove, Scafell Pike – Sat 19th Sep 2026
Cumbria Police received a call about three males who were lost and stuck. Police managed to get their location as Little Narrowcove. The assistant team leader spoke with them, and they were uncomfortable moving from their location. The team deployed and collected them, walking them back down to Wasdale Head, where they waited for a family member to pick them up. The team then returned to base to reset.
Gavel Neese, Great Gable – Sat 19th Sep 2026
Cumbria Police received a call about a female with an injured ankle. The assistant team leader attempted to make contact but was struggling; contact was eventually made with the informants, though they were at a different location. A location was eventually obtained, not far from Burnthwaite Farm. The casualty was assessed and found to have a badly broken ankle; pain relief was given and the ankle reduced and re-aligned, then placed in a vacuum splint. She was stretchered a short distance to the ambulance.