News

Using GPS devices and smartphones as electronic navigation aids

A recent article on the Mountaineering Scotland website provides excellent advice on navigation including the pitfalls of using GPS devices and smartphones as  electronic navigation aids . A recent 20 hour search for a lost walker Scafell Pike / Broad Crag/ Great End involved over 70 rescuers and could have been avoided if reliance had not been placed on a mobile phone for navigation. The walker was extremely lucky to survive his ordeal on the mountain Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

1st Hensingham Scout Group Visit

There was a bit of drama at Scouts this week, 3 of our leaders carelessly managed to injure themselves on the field … luckily Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team were visiting & quickly organised our #Scouts into a rescue party! Thanks to the MRT volunteers for a really interesting couple of nights learning about the valuable work they do. #SkillsForLife #CumbriaScouts

By John Bamforth, ago

Lone walker lost on Scafell Pike / Great End: A 24-hour rescue involving over 70 rescuers, 5 search dogs and 2 drones

Wasdale Mountain Rescue team were alerted by Cumbria Police at 18.26 hrs on Monday 20 February about a lone walker who had reported himself as lost on the ridge between Scafell Pike and Great End in the Lake District. Mobile phone reception was very poor, but a location was quickly established and although the weather was deteriorating with thick mist and rain, he was asked to stay where he was and shelter from the wind. Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

West Cumbria Home Education group visit

Earlier this week we were delighted to host the West Cumbria Home Education group at our base. Team members organised activities to demonstrate: key first aid skills and knowledge; map reading and radios; and the range of equipment in our response vehicles. We had a great afternoon and we hope everyone else enjoyed themselves as much too!

By John Bamforth, ago

Trainee Search Dog Tilly

A very warm welcome to our newest team member! Tilly and her trainee handler Mike, have just started their training with Lake District Mountain Rescue Searchdogs. We wish them well and every success in their future training.

By John Bamforth, ago

Podcast – Episode #2 – Wendy Dodds

You might be interested in a new podcast hosted by one of our team members, Chad Dixon. In this episode he talks with the legendary fell runner, Wendy Dodds. In the first episode, Chad talked with John and Susan Noake, who between them have over 100 years of service to Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team! https://open.spotify.com/episode/1C3BZYmfpM9AK81L995HXO?si=JLa8nGFXS9OQvwmXToQ7Qw&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A3zDRIXz8kht5J6UYoCUraU&nd=1 You can also access Episode #1 via the link

By John Bamforth, ago

Class of 2022 Success

We are delighted to announce that last night the ‘class of 2022’ probationers successfully completed their final hill assessment with 8 becoming full team members with an additional 2 to follow. All the group have been a credit to themselves individually and as a group and are welcomed into the team. Congratulations from the whole team.

By John Bamforth, ago

Video of a callout

For those interested, here’s a short video showing sections of the callout and stretcher carry from our last callout. It illustrates why we need many team members for a long carry from the high fells…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbxd7wG5Bhs

By John Bamforth, ago

Welcome to the Dark Side

Sunday 30 October is Mountain Rescue Awareness Day as well as being the first full day after the UK clocks go back. As the days shorten and the evenings draw in, it gets darker earlier in the afternoons and it’s a good time to think about safety for your day in the mountains during the colder months. https://www.mountain.rescue.org.uk/2022/10/welcome-to-the-dark-side/  

By John Bamforth, ago

Medical Student Visit

Earlier this week we welcomed a group of enthusiastic 3rd and 4th year medical students to the base. We provided an insight into the casualty care we provide on the hills. The medical students are studying at the National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine (UCLan) near Whitehaven. It was a fun evening and great to develop links with our local community.

By John Bamforth, ago

Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership Funding

Wasdale MRT is delighted to have been awarded £75,497 by the Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership. This will enable the team to buy its fourth emergency vehicle kitted out with blue lights, casualty care and radio communications equipment. The vehicle will respond to the ever-increasing number of 999 callouts that the team receives, which on average occur on one in every three days. Andy Pratt, Chair of the Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership, said: “This Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Fundraising at Eskdale Show

Saturday 24th September saw a gloriously bright and breezy day at the Eskdale show. The cream of local Herwick flocks were there for this historic national competition and an Eskdale farmer won best in show which was wonderful. WMRT occupied a prime position and saw lots of visitors and shoppers at the stall, many of whom spent their money on merchandise, and also contributed generously. There was plenty of interest in Mobile 2, especially from Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Adventure Smart Lake District

All you need to know about why we are pushing adventure smart is attached- the question I have for you as friends is what do you think ? Especially what do you think about the funding initiative for injuries to our volunteer team members. As the numbers of call-outs grow the probability of injury becomes greater and certainly we have had a few near misses in addition to the hits. Use your camera to scan Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Seascale Beaver Scouts Visit

Seascale Beaver Scouts have been waiting for 2 years to come and visit the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team’s headquarters at Gosforth due to the strict Covid restrictions in the team. It was therefore great to be able to extend a June invitation this year for them all to come along to the base with their leader Willow, their scout sub-leaders and parents. It was very touching to be presented with a basket of gifts and Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Charity Tournament Fundraiser

On Monday 13th June, an incredibly generous cheque for £800 was presented to the team by Mr Bob Smith and his grandson Dexter. Bob organised a charity tournament for the Egremont Pool League in May and raised a huge amount of money which he divided between several emergency services. We’re extremely grateful to Bob, all those red-hot pool players (including Dexter) and those who supported them on our behalf.

By John Bamforth, ago

Mountain Rescue volunteers awarded Jubilee Medal

Over 1700 Mountain Rescue volunteers are honoured to be recognised and included among the frontline emergency, armed forces and prison service workers across the UK who are recipients of today’s Jubilee Medal in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Congratulations to Her Majesty from everyone involved in Mountain Rescue on an unprecedented 70 years of service.

By John Bamforth, ago