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 – Sat 6th Sep 2025
Cumbria Police raised an alert to the Team Leader for overdue walkers on Scafell Pike. Whilst he began investigating, contact was made with the party, who confirmed they were now off the fell and making their way home. No team deployment was required.
Greencove Wyke, Scafell – Sat 6th Sep 2025
Cumbria Police contacted the Team Leader regarding two walkers who were reporting themselves crag fast on steep ground on the Greencove Wyke side of Scafell. Initial contact by mobile phone was attempted but was unsuccessful, so a full team callout was made. A Coastguard helicopter was also requested, and Rescue 936 from Caernarfon responded. Additional support was also requested from Duddon and Furness MRT due to slightly low numbers. As the teams prepared to deploy with rope rescue equipment, the helicopter was able to located the pair and winch them to safety. They then transferred them to Brackenclose to meet…
Dore Head, Yewbarrow – Thu 4th Sep 2025
Cumbria Police reported a male walker lost and separated from his friend near Dore Head. The Team Leader was unable to make contact, so team members were deployed to search all routes to the last known location. Both individuals were found relatively quickly and walked off the hill without incident. It was also a good chance to give our thermal imaging equipment a workout in real conditions.
Mickledore, Scafell Pike – Mon 1st Sep 2025
Cumbria Police contacted the team regarding three walkers who were lost and stuck on Scafell Pike at Mickledore. The Team Leader attempted to talk them off the hill, but they were unable to move. The group sheltered in the stretcher box while waiting for team members to arrive. Once located and checked over, all three walked off the hill safely back down to the valley floor.
Scafell Pike – Sun 31st Aug 2025
As incident 119 was ongoing, a further call was received by Cumbria Police. Two walkers were lost below the summit of Scafell Pike. Using PhoneFind, the Team Leader located them and guided them back to the summit. Once they re-joined the main path and met up with other walkers the log was closed with no further action required from the team members already on the hill.
Brown Tongue, Scafell Pike – Sun 31st Aug 2025
The team was called by Cumbria Police on Sunday to assist a walker who had slipped and heard a crack in her ankle. It was too painful to continue. A full callout was swiftly initiated, with Helimed 08 also deploying due to the potentially serious complications described. Once on scene the walker was assessed and given some strong pain relief. There was a team effort between Helimed and MRT team members to realign the likely dislocated ankle and relieve pain further. A routine stretcher carry was completed down to Brackenclose, before a handover and a flight to hospital. Thanks the…