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 – Fri 1st Aug 2025
Cumbria Police contacted the team after a parent became concerned that their son had not returned made contact as expected from a wild camping trip on Scafell Pike. The Team Leader liaised with police to initiate an investigation. Thankfully, during the process, the missing walker phoned to confirm he was safe and well. The team was stood down with no further action required.
Hollowstones, Scafell Pike – Thu 31st Jul 2025
A call from Cumbria Police was received regarding a male with a twisted ankle at Hollow Stones. The Team Leader made contact and confirmed the casualty was able to descend slowly with self-administered pain relief. A passer-by kindly loaned walking poles, and the walker’s location was tracked every 30 minutes via PhoneFind. No team deployment was required on this occasion, and we hope the ankle recovers quickly. Team leader tracked progress every 30 minutes with the male clicking the link to show his progress. Male successfully made it down without the need for MRT.
Broad Stand, Scafell – Mon 28th Jul 2025
The hundredth 999 call of the year was received from Cumbria Police on Monday (on the same date as last year!). Thankfully this was swiftly resolved without a need for ‘boots on the ground’. A walker on Scafell Pike was very concerned for the safety of another walker who was descending on Broad Stand, apparently ill-equipped for a descent to Mickledore. About 30 minutes later, the walker seemed to have realised his error and had successfully scrambled back towards Scafell summit. The Team Leader was relieved to hear this, and stood the team down.
Great Gable – Sat 26th Jul 2025
The third call of Saturday afternoon was from North West Ambulance Service. A walker had taken a tumble fall on Great Gable when descending towards Beck Head. She had sustained facial injuries. As many team members were already committed to a long stretcher carry from the Corridor Route, Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team was asked to take ownership. They duly obliged and dispatched team members from Honister Pass. Two Wasdale MRT team members ascended from Gavel Neese and supported the initial assessment. Thankfully, the walker was not seriously injured and was able to scramble down herself with the support of a…
Corridor Route, Scafell Pike – Sat 26th Jul 2025
As callout 97 was in progress, a further call was taken from Cumbria Police. A walker had fallen, and injured her ankle and was now unable to bear any weight. Th location was also on the Corridor Route. The Team Leader was able to divert some team members to this location and Remote Rescue Medical Technicians (RRMTs) made an assessment. After splinting the ankle for stability and pain relief, the walker was transferred to the team stretcher. The very long carry to Lingmell Col and then down to Brackenclose was made safely, before handing over to the rest of her…
Corridor Route, Scafell Pike – Sat 26th Jul 2025
A busy day on Saturday commenced when a walker took a nasty 7m fall from steep ground on the Corridor Route, picking up cuts to his arms and legs, plus possible rib fractures. The tasking had quickly been transferred from Coniston MRT when the location was confirmed to be in Wasdale. Helimed 58 was dispatched quickly, reached the walker first and began medical treatment. However, they still needed help to extract the walker, so requested a Coastguard helicopter with winching capability. Rescue 936 responded from Caernarfon and performed a winch evacuation, before transferring to hospital. Thanks to both helicopter crews…