The group got lost in the area around Loft Beck and Seavy Knott, left
A mountain rescue team had to go to the aid of a group taking part in a charity challenge in the early hours of this morning.
The four were taking part in the Satmap 10 Peaks challenge when they called for help after getting lost.
Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team was alerted after the competitors called police to say they were lost at the head of Ennerdale somewhere in the Loft Beck and Seavy Knott area.
Ten team members took part in the rescue and the group was found at 2.30am. Rescuers said they were fit and well but suffering from the cold.
The volunteer rescuers walked with them off the hill then took them to their accommodation in Keswick.
Earlier, the team had been called out when a radio marshal on the same charity event broke his ankle on Moses Trod on nearby Brandreth.
The 64-year-old was airlifted by helicopter from the site in a rescue involving the Cockermouth team and colleagues from Keswick, along with the Great North Air Ambulance.
The Satmap 10 Peaks is a 73km (45-mile) challenge involving more than 5,600m (18,373ft) of ascent.
It raises cash for Macmillan Cancer Support and the National Trust.
Organisers say on the event’s website: “The 2010 event saw 52 people, including armed forces, adventure racers, fell runners, triathletes, ultra distance and elite marathon runners take on the challenge.
“No one completed the course. The 2011 event was blessed with much better weather and nearly half of the starters completed all 10 peaks.
“Each participant is responsible for their own navigation (on foot) from peak to peak and must carry a map and compass or GPS, and know how to use them.”
The route takes in Helvellyn, Bowfell, Great End, Ill Crag, Scafell Pike, Scafell, Great Gable, Pillar and Skiddaw.
Cockermouth MRT, Keswick MRT and the Great North Air Ambulance are all registered charities.
- The Cockermouth team also went to the aid of a member of a Scout group who had fallen 12 m (40ft) into Scale Force Beck above Buttermere.
He suffered suspected spinal injuries in the fall and was treated by the team after they were alerted shortly before 1pm. He was immobilised and winched into a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter from HMS Gannet in Ayrshire, which flew him for further treatment at West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.
Mick
23 July 2012ironic that they got lost on a challenge sponsored by SATMAP, a GPS company.
Stadler
23 July 2012Also ironic that a charity group had to go and find them when their charity efforts went awry... One charity's gain is another's loss I guess
Margaret
23 July 2012Funny old world on the hills now a days.
Ian Jones
23 July 2012We were at Swirls Car Park in a campervan where this jolly started at 4-00am. Saturday morning. A great big coach rumbled in, various cars with plenty car doors, seemingly 10 doors per car were used in order for about 100 chattering murmuring, flash photographing, pissing at the side of our van, competitors to start up Helvellyn.
Someone even gave a speech which received a round of applause. At 4-00am. In the middle of a car park that had about 6 to 8 vehicles parked with people trying to sleep.
Thanks guys.
Margaret
24 July 2012Ian, unfortunately, it seems to be the 'modern way'.
Ian Jones
24 July 2012Margaret, it does seem to be the 'modern way', but I felt like getting all medieval!
Margaret
24 July 2012That would have speedily set them on their way with a historic kick in the pants!
Richard
26 July 2012I thought the United Utilities car park at Swirls was a "no overnight occupation or camping" area, in which case no-one would have been disturbed. Pissing on the side of your van was not a great advert for the challenge though...