The group got lost while coming down from Ingleborough. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
Three walkers attempting the Yorkshire Three Peaks were rescued after their torch and mobile phones ran out of battery power in the dark.
The Cave Rescue Organisation was called out about 8.45pm on Saturday when the trio called for help after getting lost on Ingleborough.
A team spokesperson said: “In the dark, their one torch and two mobile phones had died and their third phone – the sole means of navigation – showed only 17 per cent battery.” The three were uninjured.
The spokesperson said police managed to pinpoint the walkers’ position at the foot of Swine Tail on the fell.
“One team member set off from Newby Cote, to run up the hill, while three others took a team vehicle round to Nick Pot.
“The individual team member began to guide the ‘mispers’ on to and down the path for Horton in Ribblesdale and was met by the others, walking up with extra lights.
“One member of the party was extremely cold and struggling, but all three reached the team vehicle safely. A local member returned them to their accommodation near Horton and the team vehicle returned to CRO base.”
The spokesperson said heavy rain made conditions grim, adding: “It is safe to say that this was an avoidable incident. However, the party were given some advice on how to make their future trips less exciting as we walked back down to the vehicles so we are there’s no need for any further online advice or criticism as we know that all advice was gratefully received.
“As always, our best wishes to the three people involved.”
Mike
30 September 2019One torch between three? Are you serious?!
Idiots!
Peter Montgomer
30 September 2019This happens more than it should. Anyone heading for the fells shouldn't rely on mobile phones. They should be able to read a map and use a compass. Hopefully, they will learn by their mistakes.
Paul
30 September 2019Bad luck the batteries failing
gary
01 October 2019People rely far too much on mobile phones these days...
Mike
01 October 2019*Negligence, the batteries failing (and not having spare batteries and/or torches).
FTFY.
Colin
01 October 2019"no need for any further online advice or criticism" - ha ha, dashed within the first two comments!
Ssmbo
01 October 2019It's a common problem with managers and lorry Drivers
Digger deivers are fine however keeping it real
Phil Nendick
01 October 2019Where were their spare torch batteries and spare torch?
Helena
01 October 2019Give the guys a break, they were doing this for charity!! Why don't you use your negative energy and turn it into something positive by donating to these amazing rescue people who give up their time for free to help people. The guys still fulfilled their mission and am 100% confident they're overwhelmingly thankful to the rescue people. They realise their error and will learn from it for next time so keep your negative comments to yourself!
Erin
01 October 2019I was one of three.
1) We absolutely admit to not being prepared enough, and fully accept and realise our faults and errors. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We are more than grateful to the team who came to our aid, we have all donated and made our thanks and gratitude clear.
2) The gentlemen who came to assist us make a fine example of a real man, and could teach a few of you online keyboard warriors a lesson in how to be more understanding.
3) I’m not entirely sure if some of you can read, but I do believe it says ‘there’s no need for any further online advice or criticism as we know that all advice was gratefully received’ - seems like a few of you need a quick nip to specsavers.
4) Finally, I can safely say this ordeal was not planned. We did not plan to be out at night, we did not plan to get lost and we did not plan for fog to settle so we couldn’t find our path back. Completely avoidable, agreed - but sadly, we overestimated our knowledge and understanding of this route along with the weather conditions. This was something which we were doing for charity, and as such didn’t want to let anybody down. This is not an excuse, it’s simply providing some of our rational for taking on the third and final peak in such bad conditions.
I give you full permission to comment and criticise us on this post, so long as you have never made a mistake in your entire life.
Once again, our thanks and gratitude go out to the team who came to our rescue.
Dougie
02 October 2019Nicely put, if you've never got it wrong you're not trying hard enough!
Nicky
03 October 2019Go Erin. Totally utterly and completely agree with everything she says. As a friend of two of “the three” I can categorically state with 100% confidence they are not idiots as has been stated. Can’t be bothered to quote all the other negative comments as this is no doubt what they want to gain their ten seconds of fame on the back of misfortune. No doubt these are the same kind of people who would gloat if they hadn’t been found safely and let their families see worse comments. Must be satisfying eh ? Their friends and families were extremely worried as it is completely out of character for them not to be in touch or finish before dark as they have previously. As has been said, unfortunate unpredictable conditions led to this, it was for charity hence finishing was important to them. They gave donated to mountain rescue as have a number of their friends and family. Perhaps you trolls should do the same instead of wasting your energy with nasty comments. Disappointing that people seem to want to stick the knife into what was a distressing enough experience for them. They were embarrassed though shouldn’t have been. They should be proud for persevering. I couldn’t do this challenge. Would rather just donate and wait for them although the worrying about their whereabouts well we’d miss that part off next time ! I am proud of them and their determination.
Phil Nealson
04 October 2019I see a friend has came out of the woodwork to defend them. And as normal for someone who has more than likely never set foot on a mountain they've typed a load of rubbish.
Most people who leave less than complimentary comments aren't keyboard warriors as they get called, they are people who probably get onto the hills every week of the year. So, they see more and more often the rescue teams being called out due to a lack of skills and, an unwillingness to change plans because of changing conditions. As the report says, it WAS an avoidable incident.
#Dougie,
Only a fool would say something like "if you've never got it wrong you're not trying hard enough". Utter rubbish!
Colin
04 October 2019The report states it was an avoidable incident. No-one disagrees. In fact one of the casualties even posted here to admit that!
"All my successes have been built on my failures." - Benjamin Disraeli.
paul mercer
04 October 2019These things happen I carry spare batteries and torch but I've never had to call out mountain rescue if u get lost I sit tight and wait for daylight
Mary
10 November 2019The mountain rescue teams do a fantastic job helping those who have glumly concluded that things aren't going well. Thank you to the helpers. sympathy to the rescued. And to the complainers and smug critics...you reveal to us all what you are like.