Crinkle Crags, Great Langdale. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
A man suffered serious injuries after falling more than 300ft on a Lake District fell.
Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 11.30am on Saturday after the incident on Crinkle Crags.
The team was joined by members of Kendal MRT.
The man had fallen on steep broken ground at the site at the head of Great Langdale, coming to rest after falling 100m and suffering a shattered kneecap and a suspected broken wrist, along with suspected fractures to his lower leg.
A team spokesperson said: “This was a prolonged rescue from a very difficult location, made more difficult by one of the helicopters that came to help suffering a mechanical problem while refuelling at Walney Island.”
Seventeen Langdale Ambleside MRT volunteers were involved in the 5½-hour rescue, along with colleagues from the Kendal team.
The Langdale Ambleside spokesperson said: “For many people, winter is the best time to be on the hills.
“A beautiful sunny, freezing day on ice- and snow-covered ground high in the hills can be one of the best days of your life. It goes without saying that winter days are colder, shorter, and can be wetter.
“Snow and ice adds an extra dimension. When there is snow on the ground, an ice-axe and crampons should be regarded as essential. You may not need them, but if you do, there is no substitute.
“Four-season boots will keep your feet warm and dry, as well as provide a solid platform to fix the crampons. Put them on before you need them and take them off after. Hopping on one foot on steep ground is not the time to try and put them on.
“Anti-balling plates, or a thin carrier bag fitted between boots and crampons will stop snow building up and freezing on to your feet. Ice-axes are a personal choice, but if you’re walking don’t be lured in to thinking a climbing axe will be better. The steepness of the pick and curvature of the shaft will make it much less useful on anything but very steep ground.
“Carry the axe in your hand, or down your back between your rucksack straps where it is accessible as soon as you think you need it. It’s no use attached to the back of your rucksack.
“Take buying advice from a reputable outdoor shop.”
Margaret
26 February 2018Good winter boots are also very useful for kicking steps in snow before the need to use an axe to cut steps and before the need to use crampons. Knowing how to use the kit is as important as having it.
Ron
26 February 2018Good winter boots,what brand/type do you recommend ?
SH
26 February 2018@Ron, in all honesty the ones that fit the best generally and depends what they're needed for e.g. hillwalking or climbing. Try a few from Asolo, Scarpa and La Sportiva and see what fits - or get some help at a good store. Scarpa SL Activ would be a good place to start (B1 boots)?
Margaret
26 February 2018From the Mountaineering Scotland website -
"B1 – Four-season hill walking boots with a semi-stiffened midsole and a more supportive and durable leather upper. This allows the use of crampons for walking on short sections of easy snow and ice."
"B2 – An almost fully stiffened four-season mountain boot with a thicker upper, higher ankle profile and usually the facility for crampons with heel clip bindings to be fitted."
"B3 – A totally rigid technical mountain boot, allowing the use of crampons with heel clips and wire toe bails. For everything from walking to technical and high-altitude mountaineering or hard ice/mixed climbing, depending on design."
The brand is more of an individual choice.
Neil
27 February 2018It's not just boots that matter.
I was on the mountain the same day this incident happened. It was cold with a wind-chill of -16 deg forecast and I saw one idiot wearing shorts. Some people are just macho idiots.
Tricky
28 February 2018Neil,he must have been a postman!!