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
Lingmell Col, Scafell Pike – Fri 18th Oct 2024
The team was called by Cumbria Police about a walker who had become unwell after suffering from a suspected severe panic attack. She was unable to make further progress, having turned back before reaching the summit. A band of rain and continuing strong winds created a very cold environment with a risk of hypothermia. The team was called out quickly and, with Helimed support already committed elsewhere, and with a variable cloud base, a Coastguard helicopter was requested. Rescue 936 responded from Caernarfon. An advance party managed to get on scene first but unfortunately the descending cloud base prevented direct…
River Irt – Sun 13th Oct 2024
We were called today by Cumbria Police about a walker who had slipped and fallen, sustaining a painful wrist injury. The team was called out and arrived on scene. Unusually it was possible to drive very close to the walker’s location. A full medical assessment was completed before administering pain relief and then splinting of the wrist. A short stretcher carry was made to a team vehicle, before transferring the walker to the vehicle of one of her walking group for the onward journey to hospital. We hope the walker recovers quickly from her injury.
Brown Tongue, Scafell Pike – Sat 12th Oct 2024
The team was called yesterday by Cumbria Police when a walker fell and sustained an injured ankle which prevented any further movement. A full callout was made with several team members deploying directly from the Wasdale Head Show which was in full swing. Once on scene the walker was assessed, before being given additional pain relief and splinting the ankle. A stretcher carry down to Brackenclose followed before a transfer to a car of the walking party for the transfer to hospital. Our thanks go to the many people that helped prior to our arrival. We wish the walker a…
Lingmell Gill Path, Scafell Pike – Fri 11th Oct 2024
A call was received yesterday evening from North West Ambulance Service about a walker who had fallen and sustained a suspected fracture of his lower leg. The team was swiftly called out and made their way to the reported location, which was below the stream crossing on Brown Tongue. Once on scene, the walker was assessed and given pain relief before realigning and splinting the injured leg. A short stretcher carry was made before handover to the ambulance crew at Brackenclose and subsequent transfer to hospital. We wish the walker a swift recovery from his injury.
Scafell Pike – Sat 5th Oct 2024
A call was received about a walker who was struggling to descend from Scafell Pike. He was suffering from cramping of his legs and had also taken a fall suffering minor cuts to his hands. The Team Leader made contact and agreed that after taking on some salty food and some simple pain relief, the walker would attempt to descend by himself, helped by his walking partner. Happily, he managed to do this without needing further assistance, and the team was stood down when the pair reached the valley floor.
Scafell Pike – Sat 5th Oct 2024
A call was received on Saturday morning from Cumbria Police. A walker in a party of 6 was reported to be feeling ill on Scafell Pike, and couldn’t descend. However the call dropped out before any details could be obtained, including phone numbers. With no further calls received after an hour, a local team member was asked to investigate in the car parks at Brackenclose and Wasdale Head. Enquiries were made with larger groups, but no further information was obtained about anyone in need of help. The Team Leader closed the log later after agreement with the police to respond…