Scafell Pike – Sun 2nd Jun 2024

The team was called by Cumbria Police about a party of four walkers who were lost on Scafell Pike. The message was received via the iPhone satellite emergency centre.

The Team Leader was unable to talk directly with the party and it seemed that the party of four was now moving on a path out of Upper Eskdale. A decision was made to task some team members to walk on the main routes into Upper Eskdale and meet the party with warm clothing and food.

Some different news then arrived; three of the party of four were safely at the Wasdale Head Inn, having separated from the remaining person. Team members in Eskdale had not made a find as they had expected to, and continued to search with an increased sense of urgency.

Some time later, a Phonefind text finally connected and surprisingly located the missing walker above Hollow Stones in Wasdale. He had managed to find the path and was able to walk off to Brackenclose. Another team vehicle was dispatched there to confirm the walker was safe and well.

All team members from both valleys then returned to base to dry off kit and restock the vehicles.

It appears that the walker managed to self correct his initial navigational error but with no direct communication or true understanding of his location he was unable to communicate relevant information to the Team Leader.