The walkers were brought to safety off the hill. Photo: Northumberland NPMRT
Two walkers took a picture on their mobile phone to guide rescuers to them after getting lost on a mountain in the Cheviot Hills.
Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team were alerted by police about 3.45pm on Sunday.
The walkers became disoriented when the cloudbase lowered while they were walking on The Cheviot on the Scotland-England border.
A Northumberland NPMRT spokesperson said: “While mountain rescue personnel travelled to the area, the incident officer was able to achieve contact with the walkers on their mobile phone.
“After descending below the cloud, the walkers were able to take a photo of what they could see which was sent to mountain rescue, who ascertained their location as the upper area of the Harthope Burn.
“Two team members were dispatched to meet the walkers as they descended to escort them off the hill and for onward transport to their own car.”
The team also emphasised the difficulty of calling for help from remote areas of the country.
The spokesperson said: “The mountains of the UK, including those of the Northumberland national park, often have poor mobile phone signal making it difficult for those needing help to request it.
“It is sometimes possible to send a text, when it is not possible to make a phone call. The emergency services can be contacted on 999 via text in an emergency, provided the mobile phone has been registered to use the text service.
“The mountain rescue teams strongly encourage anyone walking on the hills to register their phone.”
Instructions on how to register your phone for the 999 text service can be found online.
The rescue involved 18 volunteer mountain rescue team members for a little more than 2½ hours.
Adam
20 February 2017It's time for walkers to either take responsibility for their own navigation, or pay for the call out of the mountain rescue teams.
Nigel
21 February 2017It would have been better if they could have got back on their own steam but once again technology has proved it has a part to play in modern navigation and for MRT rescue . I like my map and compass but always have the phone and power bank as back up .
Margaret
21 February 2017Funny old world on the hill these days.
John Newrick
21 February 2017I agree with Adam there should be NO FREE rescues - walkers must take responsibility for their safety. No using Mobile Phones for mapping - either use a GPS or learn to use a compass and map properly !!! I have walked in the Cheviot Hills for many years and never had problems. Be prepared it is as close to wilderness as you will get in England !
Rant
21 February 2017Hmmm maybe some security guards positioned at gates and stiles. Walkers have to complete a basic navigation exam on the spot? Anyone scoring less than 95% is escorted back to their car.
Adam
23 February 2017Well done 'Rant' smart alec remarks but no real contribution.
My point is that after using mountain rescue in such a way perhaps a bill should arrive on the person's door mat a couple of weeks later (like the ambulance service in Switzerland)
Rant
23 February 2017Hmmm I like the bill idea as well. It'll help pay for the security guards and the navigation exams. You've got my vote.