The Edale team's callouts have more than doubled so far this year. Photo: Edale MRT
A mountain rescue team has appealed to walkers to be properly prepared when heading for the Peak District’s hills.
The plea came after an unprecedented rise in callouts this year for Edale Mountain Rescue Team.
The Hope-based volunteers have attended 24 incidents this year compared to only 10 in the same period in 2014.
Ed Proudfoot of the team said: “Looking at the type of incidents, we have seen a drastic upturn in ‘search’ type callouts, particularly on the area’s biggest and most well known moorland plateau, Kinder Scout.
“Out of these 24 incidents, 10 have been in the area of Kinder Scout where Edale team has been tasked to search for lost walkers and vulnerable people.
“This trend is slightly unusual and while we recognise that people requesting our help are in most all cases genuinely in need of assistance, it would be prudent to remind walkers of the potential dangers and pitfalls in negotiating some of the region’s most rugged and desolate terrain.
Kinder Scout's terrain can be rugged and desolate
“With that in mind hillgoers should be mindful of the conditions they might encounter and should equip themselves accordingly as well as take into account their own and their parties’ experience level.”
The Edale team said a minimum kit when heading for the high ground should include full waterproofs, suitable boots plus spikes or crampons if conditions dictate, hat and gloves including spares, shelter tent or bothy, food and water, torch plus spare battery, fully charged mobile phone, map and compass.
Mr Proudfoot said: “Significant advances have been made in the field of phones, electronic navigation and mapping software.
“However, wet conditions, depleted batteries, no signal and a lack of local knowledge and experience regarding the terrain can have an adverse effect on their effectiveness.
“With this in mind there is really no substitute for a sound knowledge of navigation using map and compass and having the skills, equipment and experience necessary for the terrain and conditions.”
