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
Keswick – Sun 26th Jul 2026
Cumbria Police received a call expressing concern for an overdue walker taking part in the Lakes 3000s challenge. The MRT Team Leader discussed the situation with the informant and established that the walker’s last known position placed them on the Keswick/Langdale boundary, with the likely onward route falling within Keswick, Langdale, or Patterdale MRT patches. As the walker was now outside Wasdale’s operational area, the incident was passed to Keswick Mountain Rescue Team to coordinate further enquiries and any required response.
Hollowstones, Scafell Pike – Sun 26th Jul 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding a male with an ankle injury. The casualty had attempted to continue descending slowly before realising he needed assistance. The MRT Team Leader made contact and deployed the team. A team member already on the hill was able to go direct to the casualty and support him. Together they continued to make slow but steady progress down the path until they were met by additional MRT members. Due to worsening pain and difficulty weight‑bearing, the casualty was packaged for a stretcher evacuation down to the car park. He was handed over to friends at…
Tongue Pots, Eskdale – Sat 25th Jul 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding a male with a hip injury following a fall while swimming in the waterfalls at Tongue Pots in the River Esk. The casualty had managed to get himself out of the water before a friend went to raise the alarm. MRT deployed, along with Coastguard Rescue 936 (Caernarfon). Team members made their way into the Upper Esk, MRT reached the casualty and assisted him in walking down to Lingcove bridge, casualty was able to walk very slowly with support so decision was made to stretcher for speed and comfort rather than increasing pain. The…
Scafell Pike – Thu 23rd Jul 2026
North West Ambulance Service received a call from a camper in the valley reporting that he could hear a whistle high up in the area unsure where though. The MRT Team Leader spoke with the caller and assessed the situation. There was no pattern to the whistle that would indicate distress, and lights on the fell were checked and appeared steady, with no signs of concern. After reviewing the information with Cumbria PoliceThe MRT Team Leader determined that the location of the whistle was unknown and the area to search would be extremely large, with no reliable indication of a…
Beck Head, Great Gable – Wed 22nd Jul 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding two males, one of whom had taken a tumble, sustaining a head injury and showing signs of concussion and dizziness, leaving him unable to stand safely. The MRT Team Leader investigated and confirmed the pair were located right on the boundary between Wasdale and Cockermouth MRT patches. As the walkers were based out of Black Sail YHA, the incident was transferred to Cockermouth MRT for logistical reasons. Many thanks to Cockermouth Mountain Rescue for taking this.
Whin Rigg – Tue 21st Jul 2026
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust received a call regarding a male who had fallen, sustaining a suspected collar bone injury along with a potential head injury. The MRT Assistant Team Leader spoke with the casualty’s friend, gathered details, and deployed the team. Due to the possibility of head and C‑spine involvement, Coastguard Rescue 897 was requested. MRT reached the casualty, carried out an assessment, and provided initial treatment. Once R897 arrived, the casualty was loaded into the aircraft and flown to Carlisle for onward transfer to hospital. Many thanks to Maritime and Coastguard Agency (R897) for their assistance.