Cockermouth team members in action during the rescue. Photo: Cockermouth MRT
A pair of walkers lost in the dark in the Lake District used their tablet computer to guide rescuers to them.
The walkers, from the USA, were tackling the Coast to Coast route when they lost their way between Hay Stacks and Honister.
Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 9.25pm yesterday after the pair rang their intended accommodation. The owners then reported the walkers lost.
A Cockermouth MRT spokesperson said: “They were located by team members from GPS co-ordinates from their tablet device and by identifying their lights on the hill.
“They were then walked to a team vehicle and driven to their accommodation.”
The rescue involved 29 volunteer team members.
Grumpy Old Man
05 September 2014“Located from GPS co-ordinates from their tablet device” clearly demonstrates the benefits of the technology, but using to be rescued when “lost” is all wrong. It sends out the wrong message and makes it all too easy for people to call for rescue.
The walkers weren’t in any immediate danger and were they really lost when they had a device that sounds as if it had some GPS capability.
“...and driven to their accommodation” (by the MR taxi service) really takes the biscuit on this one!
heidi
05 September 2014how many folk actually use a map and compass nowadays?
heidi
06 September 2014how many folk actually take a map and compass with them into the hills nowadays?
The Maid of Buttermere
06 September 2014The trouble is that these and other media reports rarely give all the full facts to enable you to make a balanced judgement. For example, we do not know if those concerned actually had any other form of illumination (torches) or map/compass or the knowledge to use them. Did they subsequently make or offer any donation.
But, Grumpy old man really does make a good point. If folk can afford expensive devices which give them GPS co-ordinates, why do they "apparently" not carry much cheaper maps and compasses and know how to use them.
There are lot's of training courses out their for those who want to avail themselves. It is a question that is constantly being asked.
Having read these blogs for some time and seen similar incidents discussed, reader criticisms and subsequent responses I am led the to the following conclusion.
I think it's called the "human condition", that wherever people are involved they will be flawed and make mistakes.
After finding them, would it have been better for the MRT to point them in the right direction in the dark with their "Tablet" ? They could have set them off on their way I suppose and then hoped for the best
Again the team members/ Leaders are the one's on the ground and I am sure their judgement will have been sound. Regarding the "Rescue" If the MRT had been able to talk them down rather than deploying the team I am sure they would have taken that option.
They certainly wouldn't have wanted to be called out a second time, as has happened previously in this area. To transport them to their destination was probably the most pragmatic, sensible and reasonable thing to do under the circumstances. ( on the way back to base I bet)
Ian
27 September 2014Popularise the activity and all those issues arise then the rescue teams have to pick up the pieces.