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
Haystacks – Wed 11th Jun 2025
A short alert after a call was received from Cumbria Police about a walker who had sustained a head injury. The location was given as Haystacks. The informant was not able to be immediately contacted, and as Haystacks is not in our response area, a call was made to Cockermouth MRT. After the location was confirmed, the callout was transferred to them, and the Team Leader stood down.
Brown Tongue, Scafell Pike – Sat 7th Jun 2025
The team was called by Cumbria Police about a walker who had fallen and injured her ankle. After trying to continue, she was no longer able to bear weight. A full callout was made and team members made their way to the scene. After a medical assessment, the offending ankle was splinted to provide pain relief and stability, after which a routine stretcher carry was made to Brackenclose. The walker was then transferred to one of her party’s vehicle for onward transfer to hospital and further assessment. We wish her a quick recovery and hope she is back on the…
Mickledore, Scafell Pike – Sat 7th Jun 2025
An overnight alert that was dealt with through technology, assistance from others and mobile phones. The Team Leader was alerted by Cumbria Police about a group of walkers who set off at 6pm and then were benighted and lost after summiting. With temperatures around 4C, they were becoming very cold and concerned for their safety. Initially it proved difficult to speak directly with the group, but then a passing group of two walkers undertaking the three peaks made contact, as they were now with the group needing assistance. With their location established near to Mickledore via PhoneFind, the passing walkers…
Kirkfell – Sat 31st May 2025
A call was received from Cumbria Police when a walker was reported significantly overdue. He was planning to visit the waterfalls at Ill Gill on Kirk Fell but had not returned to Wasdale Head when expected. A full callout was made to have sufficient resources to search and rescue from within the gill, including drone capability for a rapid search of the hazardous area. Extra help was given once again from Duddon MRT. However, as the team was starting the ground search, the good news was received that the walker had come back into mobile signal and was now in…
Scafell Pike – Sat 31st May 2025
A short alert was quickly resolved after a call was received from Cumbria Police. Two walkers had become separated from the rest of their walking party and could not be contacted. They were concerned that they were now lost. However, a PhoneFind was able to confirm their location and then the Team Leader was able to speak with them. They had re-found the path and were heading down with no need for MRT support. https://www.adventuresmart.uk/ #BeAdventureSmart and make a good day better. Ask yourself three questions before you set off: 1. Do I have the right GEAR ? 2. Do…
Sty Head – Sat 31st May 2025
The Team Leader was called yesterday by Keswick MRT for some help as they were handling multiple callouts and were slightly short on numbers for stretcher carry from Sty Head. A party of five volunteered to help and were heading down the valley when a further call confirmed that they now had things covered, and that we were able to stand down, leaving us with more resources for potential callouts on our own ‘patch’.