The walkers were found on Torside Naze. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
Rescuers warned walkers not to rely solely on mobile phones for their navigation after a couple had to be rescued from the slopes of the Peak District’s second-highest hill.
Glossop Mountain Rescue Team was called out on Sunday evening when the pair from Cheshire called for help from Bleaklow.
The walkers were on the northern edge of the hill when they became disoriented as night fell.
Peter Józefczyk of the Glossop team said rescuers used the Sarloc smartphone system to pinpoint the lost walkers on Torside Naze.
He said: “Members of the team were quickly with the couple who were fine but just a little cold. Team members guided the couple down to Torside car park.
“We would like to remind the public not to be totally reliant on mobile phones to navigate with and that they should carry a map and compass and know how to use them; also carry a torch with spare batteries.”
Franco
21 December 2016Yes, you need traditional map and compass skills. But t it's time to recognise the huge assets and advances digital tech offers. They are saving lives and to constantly criticise such use is poor judgement. Frankly as volunteer rescuers we need to stop given a critique of the actions of people and instead empower learning. REMEMBER we don't own the mountains
Ian512
21 December 2016"Yes, you need traditional map and compass skills" and if those skills are good enough people generally don't get lost.
It is people who think their smart phone will solve all difficulties - 'beam me up Scotty' - those people have to understand that smart phones alone are not the answer.
As to "need to stop given a critique of the actions of people" it is/was traditionally accepted that, in the words of the Llanberis team Chairman, 'The team does not aim to criticise or seek to attribute blame on anyone that it rescues.'
In the best interest of Rescue Teams, there should be an investigation as to why problems are increasing.
Chris Dunne
24 December 2016I agree a smart phone or GPS does make the navigation much easier but you must be equipped with a map (and know how to use it). The usage part concerns me when GPS is much easier than a map to use in practice.