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
Brown Tongue, Scafell Pike – Wed 24th Jul 2024
Whilst on the descent with the casualty from incident 96, team members came across two walkers who were in need of our assistance. Both had taken numerous minor falls and were cold and exhausted. They were struggling to make progress and at risk of further falls and more serious injuries. Three team members were diverted from the ongoing callout and provided reassurance, food, water, helmets and rope support to minimise the risk on the remainder of the descent. Happily they were able to complete their walk to Brackenclose, and the team members stood down.
Broad Crag Col, Scafell Pike – Wed 24th Jul 2024
A call was received from Cumbria Police about a walker who had fallen and potentially dislocated her shoulder. Passing walkers had stopped to help. The team was called out and due to the time it would take for the team to reach the casualty Helimed support was also requested. In the meantime the casualty party was able to carefully make their way slowly to Lingmell Col. Helimed 58 from Langwathby duly responded but was diverted to a higher priority tasking. Then Helimed 08 from Blackpool was tasked, but again was called away. Unfortunately the weather was deteriorating so the stretcher…
Ritson’s Force, Wasdale Head – Tue 23rd Jul 2024
A late night call from Northwest Ambulance Service about a person who had fallen and injured their knee at Ritson’s Force, near Wasdale Head. The team was called out quickly for the unusually short walk-in to the casualty. When on scene, the casualty was assessed and treated before being packaged into the stretcher for the carry to the Wasdale Head Inn. She was then transferred to hospital by land ambulance. The team returned to base to reset the vehicles before heading home for a curtailed night’s sleep. We wish the casualty a swift recovery from her injuries.
Rough Crag, Scafell Pike – Tue 23rd Jul 2024
Another call from Cumbria Police yesterday. A walker had become cragfast in steep consequential ground on Rough Crag. He had wisely called for help. A full callout was quickly made, and due to the length of time it would take team members to arrive on scene, air support was requested from a Coastguard helicopter. Team members continued to make their way up the fell, however Rescue 936 was able to access the walker and winch to safety in the helicopter. He was then transported to the Wasdale valley at Brackenclose to be met by other team members. Many thanks to…
Hardknott Pass – Tue 23rd Jul 2024
Another call yesterday from Cumbria Police for a vehicle in trouble on Hardknott Pass. A car had partially left the road and was not stable. A Team Leader happened to be close by and attended direct to coordinate any response with the police and fire service. However, on arrival, the occupants had managed to leave the vehicle unhurt and so the requirement was for a vehicle recovery only. As such, the team stood down.
Hardknott Pass – Sat 20th Jul 2024
The fourth and last call of the day was received from Northwest Ambulance Service. They had a report of a vehicle hanging over an embankment with a significant drop, with a location of Hardknott Pass. When an exact location was obtained from a separate police call, it was confirmed that this was in Duddon And Furness MRT’s area and so a quick handover call was made. However, the very welcome news was received almost immediately afterwards to say that all persons were safe and well and the teams stood down.