Scafell – Sat 14th Sep 2024

A call was received from Cumbria Police about a lone walker who was overdue from a walk up Sca Fell. The walker was inexperienced and not well equipped should things not go to plan. Friends were concerned for his safety as they had received a call saying he was lost at high elevation, and then not returned a few hours later.

With weather conditions already challenging and forecasted to worsen, and with no contact able to be made, the Team Leader considered the search to be urgent and engaged several other teams as well as search dogs to enable a lot of ground to be covered as quickly as possible. A Coastguard helicopter was also tasked. More organised search planning was initiated should the ‘hasty’ search prove unsuccessful.

Fortunately as the teams were mobilising and being assigned search routes, the good news was received that the walker had made his own way to a pub in Eskdale and was safe and well.

Our thanks go to all teams for their support. A good outcome. We would like to reinforce the significance of the hazards of the high fells in poor conditions as the nights draw in.

#BeAdventureSmart and make a good day better.

Ask yourself three questions before you set off:

1. Do I have the right GEAR ?

2. Do I know what the WEATHER will be like?

3. Am I confident that I have the KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS for the day?