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 – Sat 27th Sep 2025
The team was called last Saturday about a walker who had taken a long tumble fall on steep and dangerous ground whilst trying to scramble towards Lords Rake. He was reported to have multiple injuries and in significant pain. A full team callout was initiated and Helimed 08 self-tasked to see if they could help. However, they were unable to access the walker safely. As the exact location became clearer a Coastguard helicopter with winching capability was requested and Rescue 936 from Caernarfon was dispatched. With numbers a little low due to many team members unavailable at an annual team…
Dent Fell – Fri 26th Sep 2025
The team was called by Cumbria Police regarding a walker who had become lost on the Coast to Coast route. The call came in via a roaming signal, preventing initial location tracking. A follow-up message from the iPhone emergency centre placed her between Flat Fell and Dent. Upon contact, she confirmed she had navigated back to a known location herself. No injuries reported and no team deployment required.
Corridor Route, Scafell Pike – Fri 26th Sep 2025
Cumbria Police contacted the Team Leader via the iPhone SOS emergency service regarding two walkers lost whilst descending from Scafell Pike. Although their location was identified, it was not possible to make direct contact. The iPhone emergency centre was asked to guide them back onto the path. The pair later encountered a member of the public who assisted them down safely. No injuries reported and no team deployment was required.
Langdale – Tue 23rd Sep 2025
The Team Leader received a request from Langdale Ambleside MRT regarding a possible search for an overdue walker. The team was placed on standby while initial investigations were carried out. Thankfully, the missing individual was later located safe and well in another valley with no deployment required. A good outcome.
Hollowstones, Scafell Pike – Sun 21st Sep 2025
During callout 128, a passing walker reported another walker struggling to descend from the Hollow Stones area after rolling her ankle. Three MRT members already deployed on the hill were diverted to assess. On arrival, the casualty reported a painful ankle after ‘rolling’ it on the descent. Some pain relief was administered, and after assessment, she opted to continue walking. She made slow but steady progress downhill under supervision, and eventually made it safely down to the valley floor. We hope she recovers quickly from the injury.
Scafell Pike Summit, Scafell Pike – Sun 21st Sep 2025
Cumbria Police contacted the team MRT about a male walker near the summit of Scafell Pike, reportedly unable to continue due to cramp. A PhoneFind was successful to obtain an accurate location, and the party began to descend with improving progress. Five team members deployed from Brackenclose and met the walker approximately 200m above the stream crossing. He was assessed and encouraged to continue walking. A stretcher party was on standby at Brackenclose in case the situation worsened, which happily it did not. During the response, three additional team members were dispatched to investigate a separate report of another walker…