After the record year in 2017, 2018 was a comparatively quiet year in terms of incidents, although with a number of more serious incidents it didn’t necessarily feel like a quiet year. This review considers the 2018 statistics, both for the year as a whole and in the wider context of the past 15 years. In total 1603 incidents are included in the analysis. The presentation of data and definitions used is the same as Read more…
A book has been pulled together to celebrate the first 50 years of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team (WMRT). All funds raised from the sales of the publication will be used to fund the future operation of the team. Fifty years is a long time and this publication would not have been possible without the contributions of many people to tell the story of the team. The book describes the early years and the development of Read more…
Wasdale MRT has been assisting people in the western fells for 50 years, since its formation on 1 October 1968, and was formed from the Wyndham Search Team. It is now one of twelve teams in the Lake District Search and Rescue Association (LDSAMRA). To celebrate this anniversary, the team has published a book in full colour 256 page format detailing the history of mountain rescue in the Wasdale area and the development of the Read more…
On Saturday 16th September, Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team’s purpose-designed new base was officially opened by the legendary fell-runner and Team Vice-President, Jos Naylor MBE. You can watch the video here https://vimeo.com/290675469/6f7d35f9d3 The base, which is near Gosforth in Copeland has cost £643,000 and has taken several years to achieve. It was made possible after an allocation from the Copeland Community Fund (CCF) of £218,000, funding from the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association (LDSAMRA) Rescue Read more…
This week has seen the new base become operational after several years of planning and a huge amount of work from a dedicated group of team members who worked tirelessly in surmounting many challenges. This is a magnificent achievement from everyone involved and we thank you all. On day one of becoming operational, the first callout was successfully run from the new base. The base will be officially opened by Jos Naylor MBE on Saturday Read more…
Yesterday Wasdale MRT accepted handover of their purpose-built new base from principal contractor Roland Hill Ltd. Some fitting out and testing of communications by the team is required prior to going operational in July. Thank you to all in the community who have supported this project and are instrumental in achieving this important milestone. Here are some pictures.
April has seen the building nearing completion. Progress continues with plastering, painting, cabling, fitting of doors, doorframes, stairs and the myriad of jobs to make the base useable. The kitchen is in the final stages of fit out. The radio mast has been fitted with aerial and cabling. Early in April, the vehicles were parked in their locations to help with the final fit out of racking and positioning of the emergency generator in the Read more…
March has seen a huge amount progress with plaster boarding, cabling, plastering, the laying of the concrete floor, the commissioning of the garage doors and the ground source heat pump. The kitchen has been fitted out as have both bath rooms and the communications installation is in progress.
The annual Lingmell Dash takes place on 28th July at 14:30.  All proceeds to the team. Category: AS Distance: 7.2km / 4.5m Climb: 762m / 2500ft Venue: Wasdale Head Inn carpark, CA20 1EX. Grid ref: NY187088 Skills & experience: ER, LK, NS Minimum age: 16 http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/races.php?id=5790
Members of Wasdale MRT were invited along to the Blengdale Runners AGM to receive a £400 donation from the proceeds of last year’s 2 road races. Each year Blengdale Runners, also based in Gosforth, host a 10 mile run in June and a 10km in September. All money raised is donated to local charities in the surrounding area. The races have been organised for almost 30 years now and Wasdale MRT have provided a tail Read more…
A lot has happened in February. Here are some pictures showing the concrete apron, the garage doors, and some of the fit out inside including the ground source heat pump. The training room has been plastered as well as several other areas.
After the joists were installed, the fit out of the interior of the base is underway. The individual rooms are now taking shape and the garage is due to be concreted soon. The radio mast is ready for antennae and cabling.
If you are interested to see what Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team gets up to there is a 5 minute edited piece that will be going out this coming Thursday 25th evening (show starts 7.00 pm on BBC1). The show focuses on the high numbers of callouts and additional signage for England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike. We have been told that it will air unless something major happens in the UK for it to be rescheduled…….here’s Read more…
Thanks to the people in Egremont on Saturday 9th December and in Whitehaven on Saturday 23rd December who donated to the team. We raised a massive £341 and £1,261 respectively……fantastic!
The month of December saw the completion of the external blockwork and the installation of the ceiling joists. We also took delivery of and erected the new radio mast. The building is almost watertight and the next steps are to fit the door and window furniture.
This weekend saw the team being filmed for BBC’s The One Show. The final footage is still being recorded and edited and the 2 1/2 minute feature will air in the New Year. The article follows the team on a practice version of a typical callout where a casualty has sustained a fracture dislocation of a lower leg and needs to be stretchered off the path that runs up to England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike. Read more…
This month saw significant effort on the block work and cladding. Also, the radio mast was delivered and installed on its foundation. At the end of the month the floor joists were delivered.
October has seen the roof sections installed along with cladding and block work. The ground source heat pump manifold has been connected. The last few pictures show the view from inside the building for the first time, with the two garage openings visible, gear-up room, control room, lobby, office, wet room, drying room and plant room.
Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team have a specialist capability for Flood and Swift water Rescue. This consists of a dozen trained and accredited ‘technicians’ who are responsible, together with other MRTs and partner agencies for responding to flooding and water related incidents. MRTs have made a significant contribution in responding both in Cumbria and elsewhere over the last few years. For these Technicians to retain their accreditation they need to undertake at least two days additional Read more…
Following the completion of the ground preparation last month, September has seen significant progress above ground. Here you can see that the steel frame has been erected and that the block work has started. The garage entrances are now visible nearest the camera and some of the cladding has been delivered to site.