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
Scafell Pike – Thu 23rd Jul 2026
North West Ambulance Service received a call from a camper in the valley reporting that he could hear a whistle high up in the area unsure where though. The MRT Team Leader spoke with the caller and assessed the situation. There was no pattern to the whistle that would indicate distress, and lights on the fell were checked and appeared steady, with no signs of concern. After reviewing the information with Cumbria PoliceThe MRT Team Leader determined that the location of the whistle was unknown and the area to search would be extremely large, with no reliable indication of a…
Beck Head, Great Gable – Wed 22nd Jul 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding two males, one of whom had taken a tumble, sustaining a head injury and showing signs of concussion and dizziness, leaving him unable to stand safely. The MRT Team Leader investigated and confirmed the pair were located right on the boundary between Wasdale and Cockermouth MRT patches. As the walkers were based out of Black Sail YHA, the incident was transferred to Cockermouth MRT for logistical reasons. Many thanks to Cockermouth Mountain Rescue for taking this.
Whin Rigg – Tue 21st Jul 2026
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust received a call regarding a male who had fallen, sustaining a suspected collar bone injury along with a potential head injury. The MRT Assistant Team Leader spoke with the casualty’s friend, gathered details, and deployed the team. Due to the possibility of head and C‑spine involvement, Coastguard Rescue 897 was requested. MRT reached the casualty, carried out an assessment, and provided initial treatment. Once R897 arrived, the casualty was loaded into the aircraft and flown to Carlisle for onward transfer to hospital. Many thanks to Maritime and Coastguard Agency (R897) for their assistance.
Taylorforce Gill, Keswick – Mon 20th Jul 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding lost walkers who were unable to continue. The MRT Team Leader checked the location data provided and confirmed that the group were within Keswick MRT’s operational patch. Keswick MRT were contacted, briefed, and the incident was handed over to them. Wasdale MRT were not deployed.
Lingmell Beck – Mon 20th Jul 2026
Cumbria Police received an call, but the call cut out before full details could be obtained. A location fix was captured from the phone, placing the caller below the stream crossing near Lingmell Beck. The MRT Team Leader attempted to make contact, but poor signal or lack of engagement meant no further information could be gathered. A second location update placed the caller approaching Brackenclose, close to the car park. With the caller now believed to be safely off the hill, the team was stood down shortly before a limited response was due to depart.
Scafell Pike – Sat 18th Jul 2026
Summary Cumbria Police received a call from a member of the public regarding an exhausted and significantly dehydrated male, approximately 200 metres below the summit of Scafell Pike. He was unable to continue, showing clear signs of fatigue, dehydration, and reduced ability to make safe progress. The MRT Team Leader made contact and gathered further details. The group who had come across the walker provided food and water, which made a noticeable difference — dehydration was a major factor in his condition, and the simple act of rehydrating allowed him to recover enough to move again.A limited team was called…