The Allport Valley, where some of the group was found. Photo: Glossop MRT
Mountain rescuers pleaded with walkers to go properly equipped after a group of 18 people got into difficulties on the Peak District’s second-highest hill.
Glossop Mountain Rescue Team eventually found the lost walkers using specialised smartphone technology after a major four-hour search was launched on Bleaklow.
The volunteer team was called out yesterday at 5.45pm after some of the group got lost after setting off from the summit of Snake Pass at 11am to film the site of a crashed B29 Superfortress at Higher Shelf Stones.
Members of the Edale team also joined the search.
A Glossop MRT spokesperson said: “As the weather and visibility got worse, daylight began to fade and the party set off to leave the moor.
“Unfortunately, they became separated en route. Nine of the group found their way back to Snake Summit, whilst the rest ended up lost, in small groups, down the Alport valley.
“Glossop team split up into a number of search parties and headed up the Pennine Way towards Grains in the Water and Upper North Grain.
“With the use of Sarloc technology we were able to locate part of the lost group about 500m above Miry Clough.
“The remainder of the lost party were picked up by other members of the Glossop team along with Edale team near to bottom of the Alport valley where they were safely escorted down to Alport farm.”
The rescue operation ended at 10.30pm.
A Glossop team spokesperson said: “This, again, highlights the need to have the right sort of clothing and equipment for the hills at this time of year.
“A torch, map and compass are imperative. With large groups of people it may also be useful to have an experienced guide.”
mike parsons
19 October 2013walkers dont usually have head torches because they know they wont be out in the dark. climbers usually do becuase they know they might!
if this was in France the most experienced person would be deemed to be the leader and held accountable. Sounds good but cause lots of trouble with ski leaders.
Dave
19 October 2013Walk, climb or ski tour it's always sensible to have a torch with you at this time of year along with map and compass and ability to use them. I've often had to finish my day in dark doing all three activities sometimes planned other times just because things haven't gone according to plan. Weather, conditions underfoot, fitness of the group etc all play a part. Best to be prepared.
Paul Hesp
19 October 2013Quite an amazing performance by these plane crash archeologists - according to my map the site is about 2 k. from the Snake Pass. I suppose mountain rescue volunteers have to stay polite...
Mike: some walkers evidently do NOT know they WILL be out in the dark... In our hill walking club in Vienna we always ask people to bring a torch or head lamp at this time of the year.
Alasdair Shaw
19 October 2013Regardless of time of year a headtorch is counted as pretty standard to carry.
RobS
20 October 2013A head torch is tiny and should be carried at all times when out walking. That way you know it's always there. In those circumstances it does look like a guide should have been used as well especially given the apparent lack of experience.
Rob.
Mr sensible
20 October 2013You can give an idiot a head torch but it wont stop them being stupid!
Andrea
20 October 2013Always take a head torch even in daylight the clag comes in up there at lightning speed...and if you can't read a map or use a compass then your place is at home in front of the telly
MR Man
20 October 2013I wouldn't get too caught up on the lack of head-torch which is of course unfortunate. But no map and compass is asking for trouble. At least if you had those you could read them with the light from a phone.
Paul Hunter
20 October 2013I always carry more than I need 1 head torch and petzel e light plus 2 hats , two pairs of gloves ,map ,compass, gps , bothy , extra foid and much more incase of this people should get kitted out but as long as we have mountain rescue teams as a safety net this will always hapoen ......Get kitted out and know how to use it or stop ofc the hills I think .....sorry for the rant.
nige0_3
20 October 2013A map and compass which you know how to use and a headtorch are ALL essential items.
Anyone can have an accident or incident leading to them being out longer than intended and a phones light is not a substitute for a headtorch .
It may enable the reading of a map and compass for a shortwhile, but it is extremely inefective for safely negotiation varied ground conditions and identifying navigation features, it would also not last long.
A torch functions on phones may be used in an emergency but can flatten the battery very quickly, which is not advisable as it would then make contacting anyone for help more difficult and the use of Sarloc by the MR team impossible.
If it is a smart phone and you are struggling with your map navigation it would be far better to use it to get a gps fix to help you relocate where you are and then help you navigate off with your map, or if not possible call for help.
Stephen
21 October 2013To borrow a phrase from caving: without light you are trapped.