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
Stand Crag, Great End – Sun 9th Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call from a lone male walker who reported being stuck at Stand Crag on the Corridor Route and was uncomfortable moving. The MRT Team Leader attempted to make contact, but calls and messages were not getting through. With a location available from the initial 999 call, the team was deployed. Police then received an update via the iPhone Emergency Satellite Service, stating the walker was lost and stuck. As MRT arrived at the RV point and began kitting up, confirmation came through that the male had self‑rescued back onto the main path. The team stood down…
Wast Water Screes – Sat 8th Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call from a group of three who had become stuck on the Wastwater Screes and reported being unable to continue. The MRT Team Leader made contact with the group and provided reassurance and guidance, confirming they were close to the end of the difficult section. The group continued while pressing the PhoneFind button, allowing the Team Leader to monitor their progress in real time. Once they had safely cleared the screes and reached easier ground, MRT were stood down.
Great Gable – Sat 8th Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding a female who had fallen and injured her ankle, leaving her unable to continue. The group she was with numbered 15 people, but they were unable to assist her down due to the nature of the injury and terrain. The MRT Team Leader investigated and confirmed the location. With low team numbers and the incident site on Great Gable, Wasdale MRT, Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team, and Maritime and Coastguard Agency Rescue 897 (Carlisle) were requested. R897 were first on scene, assessed the casualty, and managed the situation. She was loaded onto the…
Scafell Pike Summit, Scafell Pike – Thu 6th Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call from two members of the public who had come across a cold male and his friends near the summit of Scafell Pike. The MRT Team Leader made contact with the group, who had already begun warming him up, providing food and water, and encouraging him to start descending. A small MRT team was deployed to assist. MRT met the group on the upper Tourist Path and continued to walk the casualty off the hill, monitoring his condition and ensuring he remained warm and stable throughout the descent.
Little Narrowcove, Scafell Pike – Thu 6th Aug 2026
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust received a call regarding five 17‑year‑olds, one of whom was reported to have a leg injury, and who had been out all night in the Upper Esk. The call was initially routed to Keswick Mountain Rescue Team they quickly passed it to Wasdale. An iPhone Emergency SOS activation was also received. The MRT Team Leader contacted the SOS centre to establish the group’s location. Given the report of a leg injury, their age, and the fact they were wet, cold, and overdue, a full team callout was initiated. Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team…
Scafell Pike Summit, Scafell Pike – Sat 1st Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding a male with a knee injury on the summit of Scafell Pike, who was unable to walk. The MRT Team Leader spoke directly with the casualty and confirmed he could not weight‑bear or descend safely. Due to the location and severity of the injury, Coastguard Rescue 336 (Caernarfon) was requested. R336 attempted to reach the summit but were unable to get on scene, instead uplifting MRT members closer to the summit to speed access. Initial MRT members reached the casualty, assessed and packaged him, and began a stretcher evacuation down the mountain. Once the…