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
Ill Crag – Sat 10th Jan 2026
A call was received yesterday about a walker with an ankle injury near Ill Crag. He was unable to bear weight and continue. The Team Leader quickly made a Full Callout to respond. Due to the remoteness of the casualty location, an air asset was requested but was unable to perform the rescue directly due to the cloud base. As a second best option, team members were uplifted to Lingmell Col and, with assistance from a nearby RAF team on training nearby, packaged and stretchered the walker off the hill to Wasdale Head, where members of his walking party transported…
Cold Fell – Sat 10th Jan 2026
The team was called early in the morning by Cumbria Police about someone who had separated from his companions while wild camping and could not be contacted. The Team Leader made a full team callout to initiate a search and quickly located the camper asleep on a forestry track. He was recovered by team members and handed over to Cumbria Police on scene.
Corridor Route, Scafell Pike – Thu 8th Jan 2026
Cumbria Police reported walkers lost on the Corridor Route via the iPhone emergency centre. As there were no injuries the Tean Leader made a Limited Callout with a small party deployed to assist. The party descended to Wasdale under instruction and were met by team members coming up. They were then escorted safely back down to Brackenclose and the team stood down.
Piers Gill, Scafell Pike – Tue 6th Jan 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding three walkers who had become lost in snowy conditions near Piers Gill. Due to the weather, Wasdale MRT deployed a full team. Fortunately the Team Leader managed to establish direct contact and began talking the group back towards safer ground. As they successfully regained the correct path and were comfortable to continue descending, the team was stood down. The Team Leader monitored their progress off the hill until they were safely back down to the valley floor. A good outcome.
Greendale Gill, Seatallan – Sun 4th Jan 2026
Cumbria Police contacted the Team Leader regarding a pair of campers seeking assistance after becoming very cold and were unable to warm up. After discussing their situation, the Team Leader advised them to pack up and walk down to the safety and warmth of their vehicle at Greendale. They completed this successfully and no team deployment was required.
Corridor Route, Scafell Pike – Mon 29th Dec 2025
The team was called by Cumbria Police after they received a call from two walkers who could not find their way back to their destination whilst descending from Scafell Pike after a very long day out. Their location was identified as the Corridor Route just before the Bad Step. A limited callout was made to locate the walkers and escort them to safety. Shortly afterwards, a further call was received to say that a nearby wild camper had heard shouts, located the walkers and sheltered them at his tent at Chriscliffe Knotts until team members arrived. The pair were located,…