Rescuers accompany the walkers from the fell. Photo: Keswick MRT
Two walkers were rescued after straying off route on the Helvellyn range.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, which went to the women’s aid, said conditions on the felltops can still be extreme, even in mid-summer.
The team was called out at 9.30pm on Friday after the pair called 999.
The women, in their 20s, set off with a sprocker spaniel at 2pm from St John’s in the Vale, intending to complete a circular walk beginning with Clough head and continuing to the Dodds.
A team spokesperson said: “The girls were experienced fellwalkers and were well dressed for the pretty awful weather that was forecast.
“Armed with their guide book and phones they made steady progress but somehow missed their turn just after Stybarrow Dodd where they should have turned down to descend to the valley from Sticks Pass. They continued along the ridge in the cloud, rain and wind gradually becoming aware that they had gone too far.
“With phone batteries almost dead and darkness approaching they called 999 and asked for mountain rescue assistance. Using PhoneFind the girls’ location was established as the summit of Helvellyn.”
A small number of Keswick MRT volunteers set off to find the pair and bring them to safety.
The women missed the turn down Sticks Pass and continued to Helvellyn. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
The spokesperson said: “It was a warm and wet walk up from Swirls until approaching the top of Brown Cove Crags where the wind increased dramatically and the temperature dropped.
“The girls and dog were located at the summit shelter and were walked off the hill before being driven back to their vehicle.
“A reminder that even in mid-summer the weather can be appalling on the tops. These girls were prepared for the conditions but would have benefited from a map, compass and headtorches.”
The 3½-hour rescue involved 10 Keswick MRT members.
TH
04 July 2020Without the bare minimum of necessities (map, compass and headtorch), I fail to see how MRT could describe these walkers as "experienced". The only good point seems to be their choice of clothing.
Malcolm Straker
04 July 2020I think people rely to much on technology, you should always have a map and compass, and know how to use them, I think these two young ladies were a bit unfortunate, At least they had there phone and could summon help, they had the sense to stay put until help arrived, they were lucky as walking blind in mist could have had dire consequences, A lesson learned I think.
Paul Johnston
04 July 2020Very easy to go walkabouts on the dodds. Even the most experienced have for sure. Lessons learnt and hopefully the episode won't have put them off for good.
A taylor
04 July 2020So, not well equipped then
SP
04 July 2020Keswick MRT absolute hero's. Thanks for the amazing job that you do day and night.
Peter
05 July 2020I’d be curious as to how the guidebook describes the route from Stybarrow Dodd to Sticks Pass? Down, up Raise, down, up Whiteside, down, up Lower Man, continue to Helvellyn. You have reached Sticks Pass.
Mike
06 July 2020I screwed up on Helvellyn a few years back, it's easy to do. 2am, howling wind, zero vis and heavy rain, and I descended too early. After 5 mins of tracking a consistent, but incorrect, compass bearing I knew I must have taken the wrong path. So backtracked 10 mins, turned and tried again, this time taking the intended route which was confirmed by 5 mins of then following a roughly correct compass bearing. I'm all for open access to the hills and younger folk should be encouraged to get out there, but a map and compass should be mandatory.....and know how to use them.
Robert Shaw
06 July 2020If they'd been experienced as described, they'd have:
- checked the forecast and realised setting off at 2pm would have guaranteed them still being out when the awful weather was forecast to arrive
- had the sense to take a map if, as is obvious, they didn't know the area
- researched the route enough to realise they'd gone way past the turn off at Sticks Pass summit.
They were meant to go down Sticks Pass but walked as far as Helvellyn. I think experienced is not a word to describe these two.