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
Sty Head – Sat 22nd Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding a lost couple descending Scafell Pike. The initial call had no location data and poor communications, making it difficult to determine their position. The MRT Team Leader managed to make contact and narrowed their location to the Styhead area. As this falls within Keswick MRT’s patch, the incident was passed to Keswick MRT. Many thanks to Keswick MRT.
Quagrigg Moss – Thu 20th Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call from a lone male who was lost and struggling to determine his location. MRT contacted him and were able to establish where he was after a short discussion. The Team Leader deployed a small team to collect him. MRT located him, walked him off the hill, and transported him back to his accommodation.
Muncaster Castle – Thu 20th Aug 2026
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust received a call regarding a young child who had injured her upper leg within the grounds of Muncaster Castle, MRT were called out, along with NWAS Ambulance & North West Air Ambulance Charity H08. MRT arrived first and treated the casualty ahead of NWAS and H08. She was then handed over to H08, who transported her to hospital for further treatment. This was a multi‑agency effort to give the young girl the quickest possible treatment, ensuring she received timely care. Many thanks to NWAS and H08 for their assistance.
Wind Gap, Pillar – Mon 17th Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call via the Fire Control Room reporting two 18‑year‑olds stuck on steep ground near Wind Gap. The MRT Team Leader managed brief contact before the call cut out, but their 999 location placed them just below Wind Gap. A small team deployed to locate and assist them. As the team approached, they heard shouts and received a response. The pair had already begun descending after two members of the public found them and started walking them off the hill. Both were checked over and found to be fine. The MRT team continued walking them off safely,…
Corridor Route, Scafell Pike – Sat 15th Aug 2026
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust received a call from a male and his son who were struggling to descend in the dark. The male reported sore knees, slowing their progress and making the descent more difficult. MRT deployed to their location and walked them to the stretcher box at Styhead. As daylight began to break, both were happy to continue descending without further assistance. Many thanks to Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team for supporting the incident due to low Wasdale numbers. Safety Message We’ve seen a noticeable rise in incidents where walkers become benighted on the high fells.…
Scafell Crag, Scafell – Fri 14th Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received multiple calls from members of the public reporting whistles and shouts for help. The MRT Team Leader investigated and, after speaking with callers, narrowed the location to the Scafell Crag / Lords Rake area. A full team callout was initiated, with Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team requested due to low Wasdale numbers. Maritime and Coastguard Agency support was also requested because of the amount of technical equipment required. Rescue 199 (Prestwick) was first on scene and located a lone male stuck on a grassy ledge. R199 was unable to carry out a pick‑off, so they uplifted…