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
Esk Pike – Fri 23rd May 2025
A call was received on Friday evening; two walkers were reporting themselves lost in the mist on their descent from Scafell Pike. The grid reference from the police call put them on Esk Pike. This is in Langdale Ambleside’s area, so a quick handover with them was made and they dealt with the callout and later successfully rescued the walkers.
Wastwater Screes – Thu 22nd May 2025
A call was received from Cumbria Police when two walkers on Yewbarrow heard a scream from the opposite side of the lake, and they were concerned that someone was in trouble. The Team Leader contacted the walkers and also made further enquiries locally. Nothing further to indicate a problem emerged, and with a huge potential search area, it was agreed with the police that the log could be closed with deployment agreed if further calls were received. A false alarm with good intent.
Scafell Pike – Tue 20th May 2025
A very swift resolution to two walkers being reported overdue after they had become separated from the rest of their walking group. However, very quickly they were in contact to say they had arrived at their intended destination, so no further action was needed.
Sty Head – Sun 18th May 2025
A tragic callout was initiated on Sunday, when North West Ambulance Service tasked the team. A lone walker had been found by other walkers near to Sty Head; he had collapsed and was not responding. A full callout was made and helimed support quickly requested, with some team members already on the hill making themselves available to divert their planned leisure walks. Helimed 08 from Blackpool was dispatched and was first on scene, but sadly the walker was declared deceased. Team members arrived and assisted with the transfer to the helicopter. We are thankful to Helimed 08 for flying the…
Brown Tongue, Scafell Pike – Sat 17th May 2025
The third and last call of the day arrived as team members had just returned to base. A walker had fallen after losing consciousness and hit their head. Team members returned to the vehicles and headed back to Brackenclose. Once on scene a medical assessment was made. The walker had thankfully recovered quite well, and he was able to walk down to Brackenclose unaided, under the watchful eyes of accompanying team members. A good outcome after a busy day. Team members returned once more to base to reset the vehicles. We hope the walker recovered well.
Brown Tongue, Scafell Pike – Sat 17th May 2025
The second call of the day came 4 minutes after the first, about 50m away. A walker had slipped and hit his head on a rock, suffering a deep cut. When the team arrived some good work from passing walkers had dressed the wound; a doctor was also in attendance. It was decided that the determined walker was able to continue to walk slowly down to the valley floor. This was completed without incident, and after a further check-up by the team Remote Rescue Medical Technicians, family members took him to hospital for further treatment. We wish the walker well…