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
Wind Gap, Pillar – Mon 17th Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call via the Fire Control Room reporting two 18‑year‑olds stuck on steep ground near Wind Gap. The MRT Team Leader managed brief contact before the call cut out, but their 999 location placed them just below Wind Gap. A small team deployed to locate and assist them. As the team approached, they heard shouts and received a response. The pair had already begun descending after two members of the public found them and started walking them off the hill. Both were checked over and found to be fine. The MRT team continued walking them off safely,…
Corridor Route, Scafell Pike – Sat 15th Aug 2026
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust received a call from a male and his son who were struggling to descend in the dark. The male reported sore knees, slowing their progress and making the descent more difficult. MRT deployed to their location and walked them to the stretcher box at Styhead. As daylight began to break, both were happy to continue descending without further assistance. Many thanks to Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team for supporting the incident due to low Wasdale numbers. Safety Message We’ve seen a noticeable rise in incidents where walkers become benighted on the high fells.…
Scafell Crag, Scafell – Fri 14th Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received multiple calls from members of the public reporting whistles and shouts for help. The MRT Team Leader investigated and, after speaking with callers, narrowed the location to the Scafell Crag / Lords Rake area. A full team callout was initiated, with Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team requested due to low Wasdale numbers. Maritime and Coastguard Agency support was also requested because of the amount of technical equipment required. Rescue 199 (Prestwick) was first on scene and located a lone male stuck on a grassy ledge. R199 was unable to carry out a pick‑off, so they uplifted…
Lingmell Gill Path, Scafell Pike – Thu 13th Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call from a member of the public reporting a 15‑year‑old female who had slipped and twisted her knee while descending Scafell Pike. MRT T/L made contact with the group, who were already assisting her down the hill. As MRT were already deployed on a previous incident, team members passed the group, checked her over, and confirmed she was able to continue walking with support. She was assisted down to the car park, where she was advised to attend hospital for further assessment of the knee injury.
Scafell Pike – Thu 13th Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding a large dog who had cut his paw and was unable to descend Scafell Pike. The MRT Team Leader spoke with the owner, who had bandaged the paw and done a very good job getting the dog down as far as he had, but was unable to safely carry a 30kg dog the rest of the way. A full team callout was initiated to assist. MRT assessed the dog, re‑bandaged the injury, and began the descent. Progress continued until the team met the stretcher party, where the dog was loaded onto the stretcher for…
Stand Crag, Great End – Wed 12th Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding three lost walkers near Stand Crag. When the MRT Team Leader made contact, the group had managed to find the path, but had no lights, very low phone battery, and one member was experiencing muscle cramps and was unable to descend safely. A small MRT team was deployed to assist. On arrival, the group were warmed up, given food and water, and then walked off towards Styhead, as they had originally come from Seathwaite. During the descent, MRT encountered two additional males who were also lost and heading for Seathwaite. They were pointed onto…