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 Summit, Scafell Pike – Sat 1st Aug 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding a male with a knee injury on the summit of Scafell Pike, who was unable to walk. The MRT Team Leader spoke directly with the casualty and confirmed he could not weight‑bear or descend safely. Due to the location and severity of the injury, Coastguard Rescue 336 (Caernarfon) was requested. R336 attempted to reach the summit but were unable to get on scene, instead uplifting MRT members closer to the summit to speed access. Initial MRT members reached the casualty, assessed and packaged him, and began a stretcher evacuation down the mountain. Once the…
Corridor Route, Scafell Pike – Wed 29th Jul 2026
Cumbria Police received a call via the Emergency SOS service, reporting three people who were wet, cold, and requiring assistance on the Corridor Route near the Bad Step. The MRT Team Leader communicated with the caller through the SOS relay system to gather details and establish their condition. A small MRT team was deployed, due to a long period of no contact the small team had to split up to cover all routes that they could have taken, during this time, the group managed to retrace their steps back to Lingmell Col and began descending the Tourist Path. MRT located…
Middleboot Knotts, Scafell Pike – Tue 28th Jul 2026
As Incident 101 was concluding, Cumbria Police received a call from a couple reporting themselves lost. Their initial 999 location placed them on the path split above Middleboot Knotts. The MRT Assistant Team Leader managed to make contact and, as they were already on the main path, encouraged them to continue. A second call then placed them past the Bad Step, but they reported being unable to continue. A small team was deployed to go and locate them. As MRT approached Gavel Neese, confirmation was received that the couple had managed to continue towards Seathwaite without assistance. With no further…
Lingmell Col, Scafell Pike – Tue 28th Jul 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding a male suffering severe cramp, leaving him unable to descend from Lingmell Col. The MRT Assistant Team Leader spoke with the group, who confirmed that he was unable to get down safely, so MRT were deployed. Due to low team numbers, Duddon & Furness MRT were requested to assist. The casualty was assessed on scene and, after food, fluids, and rest, he was able to begin descending with support. Two of his friends continued down to Seathwaite to bring their vehicle round to Wasdale Head Inn. The casualty ultimately managed to walk off under…
Keswick – Sun 26th Jul 2026
Cumbria Police received a call expressing concern for an overdue walker taking part in the Lakes 3000s challenge. The MRT Team Leader discussed the situation with the informant and established that the walker’s last known position placed them on the Keswick/Langdale boundary, with the likely onward route falling within Keswick, Langdale, or Patterdale MRT patches. As the walker was now outside Wasdale’s operational area, the incident was passed to Keswick Mountain Rescue Team to coordinate further enquiries and any required response.
Hollowstones, Scafell Pike – Sun 26th Jul 2026
Cumbria Police received a call regarding a male with an ankle injury. The casualty had attempted to continue descending slowly before realising he needed assistance. The MRT Team Leader made contact and deployed the team. A team member already on the hill was able to go direct to the casualty and support him. Together they continued to make slow but steady progress down the path until they were met by additional MRT members. Due to worsening pain and difficulty weight‑bearing, the casualty was packaged for a stretcher evacuation down to the car park. He was handed over to friends at…