Rescuers were called to walkers lost in low cloud. Photo: Cockermouth MRT
Rescuers in the Lake District who were called out to find two lost walkers found two more disoriented hikers after locating the first pair.
Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team warned hillgoers to be prepared for changing conditions after a week that included a heatwave and low cloud and poor visibility.
The team was alerted about 4.20pm on Saturday after two walkers called for help between Black Sail youth hostel in Ennerdale and Borrowdale. The pair got lost near Great Gable in low cloud.
A Cockermouth MRT spokesperson said: “The team narrowed down the location of the casualties and advised them to stay in their current position to maintain phone signal, then dispatched team members towards Great Gable from both Black Sail and Honister Slate Mine.
“Several Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team members were in the vicinity and located the casualties at approximately 6.15pm. They were then met by Cockermouth and walked out to Honister Slate Mine.
“While en route back to the mine, the team discovered two more hikers who had become lost in the cloud and escorted all four safely off the fell.”
The team said it was the second callout of the week. “It is vital that walkers check weather conditions before setting off, are adequately equipped and confident in their ability to navigate, whatever the weather,” the spokesperson said.
Deputy team leader Martin Pickavance added: “Wasdale and Cockermouth teams worked excellently to locate the casualties quickly.
“In the changeable weather we have been experiencing recently, walkers shouldn’t underestimate the strenuous nature of the fells, and should be prepared for very quick changes in conditions.”
The rescue involved 15 Cockermouth MRT volunteers and lasted six hours.
OldManOfTheHills
30 July 2019We saw MRT setting out up the mountain from Wasdale in heavy rain and very poor visibility as we descended Gable.
We had strayed from / misplaced the right path having gone within 10 metres of it so finding casualty must have been a challenge. And before any sounds off against the lost walkers, visibility was really rubbish and it wasn't an evening to stay on the hill if they were truly lost so they made the right call.
Well done MRT for sorting it as ever.
Ian S
30 July 2019@OldManofTheHills
Ref "and before any sounds off............."
You can't put across your views or opinion and then give people a reason why they shouldn't have a different opinion to you on the subject.
Yes, visibility was rubbish and I agree that wasn't an evening to stay on the hill but, visibility was rubbish most of the day so they should have realised their abilities (or lack of) and turned back as soon as the conditions became obvious; or just got off the fell. If the dropped into the wrong valley then that's the price they pay for being crap at navigating.
No I wasn't sitting at home watching telly that day. I 'navigated' myself around all the Coniston fells, got a right old soaking but didn't call the MRT to help me find my way.
Credit to the MRT for going out but as many have said in the past, they shouldn't really be used as a guiding service unless your willing to pay.
Colin
30 July 2019@Ian S
Ref " I 'navigated' myself around all the Coniston fells............."
Well done you!
OldManOfTheHills
31 July 2019@Ian S. Of course they probably shouldn't have been on the hills in that weather with their skill levels, but I have been "lost" and come down the "wrong valley" several times and in my youth did so once on Kinder without even realising until I got to the bottom, so it can happen to any of us.
The forecast we saw predicted it to lift and ease and indeed at first it did leaving Gable in mist but Scafell in thick cloud. Then it changed.
What did you expect the lost party to do if they couldn't find a safe way off- die of hypothermia to prove a point?
robdjeff
31 July 2019Completed the Bob Graham Round on the same day and was on Great Gable at almost exactly 9pm (and Pillar, Kirk Fell etc. before that). The condidtions DID NOT become poor on the western fells until approximately 3-4pm. Up until then it had actually been quite nice. @Ian S
Will Bland
09 August 2019The report says "Rescue Team members were in the vicinity and located the casualties".
What casualties? No one was hurt, they were just too useless to find their way properly.
In reply to robdjeff you're talking rubbish, conditions were bad way before 3pm.