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 – Wed 28th Oct 2026
Cumbria Police received a call from a concerned parent. His son and two friends, all aged 17, had not been in touch and had not arrived at their accommodation. The team leader began to investigate, but the three then arrived at their accommodation safe and well.
Scafell Pike – Tue 27th Oct 2026
Cumbria Police received a call about three people who had become distressed after darkness fell while they were high on Scafell Pike. The team made contact with them, helped to calm them, and the group began to descend. A small team was deployed and met the three below the stream crossing. After a quick check-over, the team walked down with them and dropped them off at their vehicle in the National Trust car park.
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.