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
Corridor Route, Scafell Pike – Mon 16th Feb 2026
Cumbria Police received an Emergency SOS text via HM Coastguard reporting four young walkers lost and stuck on the Corridor Route. The MRT Team Leader attempted to make direct contact, but neither calls nor PhoneFind attempts were successful. Police were also experiencing IT issues, limiting information flow. A small MRT team was deployed to the last known location. All four were located, cold but otherwise uninjured, warmed up, and walked safely off the hill. They were returned to their vehicle, where they planned to rest before driving home.
Styhead Gill – Mon 16th Feb 2026
Cumbria Police contacted Wasdale MRT regarding a reported ankle injury near Styhead. After investigation, the Team Leader confirmed that the incident location fell within Keswick MRT’s operational area. The job was passed over to Keswick MRT, and no further action was required from Wasdale.
Scafell Pike – Sun 8th Feb 2026
The Team Leader was alerted by Cumbria Police after concerned family members reported two overdue walkers on Great End. Fortunately, whilst enquiries were underway and before team deployment was required, the missing pair returned safely to their vehicle and the log was closed.
Wast Water – Wed 4th Feb 2026
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) alerted the Team Leader to two people in difficulty in Wast Water. NWAS, Cumbria Fire & Rescue, and Wasdale MRT (in case of boat deployment or difficult access) were urgently deployed. The ambulance crew arrived first and confirmed thankfully that both individuals had managed to reach the shore and exit the water. They assessed and treated both casualties. Wasdale MRT assisted by securing and moving the kayak involved to a safe location for later retrieval once the situation was stabilised.
Hardknott Pass – Fri 30th Jan 2026
Cumbria Police requested Wasdale MRT assistance after a vehicle struck a rock and slid off the road on the notorious bad bend on Hardknott Pass. The car contained four occupants. The Team Leader deployed a small party to assist and whilst en route, encountered a second vehicle that had also slid on ice. All occupants from both vehicles were assisted, checked for injuries, and then transported to safety.
Beck Head, Great Gable – Thu 29th Jan 2026
Cumbria Police received a report from two passing walkers who had found a walker with multiple injuries, including head and arm trauma, near to Beck Head on Great Gable. The Team Leader made a full callout immediately alongside Rescue 936 Coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon. Despite several attempts, R936 was unable to complete a winch onto scene due to the weather conditions. Once the MR advance party arrived on scene, the walker’s multiple injuries were assessed and treated from a now obvious very serious fall. He was then packaged in a heat blankets and a vapour barrier (to minimise further heat…