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
Upper Eskdale – Fri 23rd Oct 2026
Cumbria Police received a call from a concerned mother reporting that her son was overdue from a walk on Scafell Pike. The Team Leader carried out initial enquiries but could not locate him using PhoneFind. His last known position was Taylor Gill Force at 10:30, which left a very large possible search area. Several teams were asked to carry out hasty searches across the Wasdale area. At 02:40, Duddon & Furness MRT spotted a flashing head torch and found the man in the Upper Esk. He had been sitting there since 18:00 wearing all his spare clothing. His phone and…
Sty Head – Fri 23rd Oct 2026
Cumbria Police received an emergency SOS message asking for Mountain Rescue on Scafell Pike, with an initial location at Sty Head. The Team Leader was unable to speak to anyone in the party. A second call came into the police through another emergency SOS service. It placed a female in the same area with a hip injury who was unable to move. The team deployed and Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team were asked to assist. More information from the iPhone SOS centre then put the caller at Taylor Gill Force, which is in Keswick Mountain Rescue Team area, so…
Burnmoor Tarn – Thu 22nd Oct 2026
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) received a call about a male who had injured his upper leg near Burnmoor Tarn. After some time the Team Leader was able to establish the party’s location, and the team deployed. Team members reached the casualty and stretchered him back to the party’s vehicle, where he was handed over for onward transfer in own vehicle to hospital. We wish the male a speedy recovery.
Eskdale – Wed 21st Oct 2026
Cumbria Police received a call about two people who were lost in Eskdale. The Team Leader looked into it and got a PhoneFind location, which showed they were close to the road. They had a map and compass, so they were given their location and a grid reference to get back onto the path. They kept using the location link as they went and got themselves down safe and well. The team was stood down once they were back at their accommodation.
Dropping Crag, Scafell Pike – Sun 18th Oct 2026
Cumbria Police received multiple reports of a person stuck under a rock or boulder and getting cold in the area of the Dropping Crag. Some location data came with these calls, but the Team Leader was unable to speak to the person directly. Because the incident could have been serious, Wasdale MRT, Duddon & Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team and Maritime and Coastguard Agency helicopter Rescue 899 (Prestwick) were deployed. The specialist team COMRU was also contacted about ways of moving large rocks, and began drawing up a plan in case they were needed. Further reports then came in…
Wast Water Screes – Mon 12th Oct 2026
Cumbria Police received a call about three people stranded on the scree boulder field at Wastwater with no head torches. The team sent a small group out with the Wasdale Boat, they were helped off the Screes and then dropped them off at their accommodation.