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
Corridor Route, Scafell Pike – Wed 4th Nov 2026
Cumbria Police received a call from a woman who reported hearing shouts on the Corridor Route. Very few details were available. Despite the best efforts of the police and team leaders, it was not possible to obtain any further information about the location or the shouting. No other calls were received from members of the public. The team was not deployed and the incident was closed in the early evening.
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.