The rescue scene on Sharp Edge. Photo: Keswick MRT
Two walkers and their dog were rescued from a ridge on Blencathra after getting stuck.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 10.30am on Thursday when the pair called 999 from Sharp Edge.
The two 19-year-olds became cragfast while attempting the ascent of the grade-one scramble with their dog.
A team member said: “Despite it being a reasonable day – not raining – they found themselves unable to move up or down on the extremely greasy, slippery, slabby rock.”
Five team members left the rescue base and joined four more colleagues who made their own way to Mousthwaite Comb, from where they all made their way up on to the edge.
A team member with the rescued dog. Photo: Keswick MRT
The spokesperson said: “One team member climbed with a rope along the ridge adding protection along the way then fixing the far end close to the casualties, thus forming a safety line along which other team members could climb in safety.
“The casualties were harnessed up and given helmets then with the protection of the fixed line were able to move assisted along the slippery slabs of the ridge back down to a safe path.
“The dog was fortunately already wearing a harness which allowed it to be clipped on and protected too.”
The rescue involved 11 volunteers from Keswick MRT and lasted almost 4¼ hours.
SH
06 November 2020Not sure I'd be taking a dog on Sharp Edge but maybe that's just me! Well done to the team getting them down.
OH
07 November 2020Generally a dog that's used to these places would be fine.
They could have left tied to the lamppost next to Scales Tarn. I don't suppose anyone would have bothered it.
AN
07 November 2020Here's a YouTube clip showing how a dog can cope with Sharp Edge-
https://youtu.be/KxIxdthIlgI
Tramcar
07 November 2020Lockdown????
A local lad
07 November 2020@Tramcar
Yes that's correct and this time we're actually allowed to go out walking even if that includes a short local drive to get there. Short & local are both open to interpretation however.
Does that answer you very poorly worded question?
Graham
08 November 2020@A local lad
That is certainly true, but I would say that at this time there should be a particular emphasis on only attempting routes that are within your comfort zone (as requested by the rescue teams). Clearly anyone can have an accident, but these guys appear to have simply been out of their depth.
Tramcar
08 November 2020@Graham
Agreed.
Billy Coles
08 November 2020@ Graham
The problem is, people don't know what their comfort zone is or they won't accept that something is beyond their capabilities until it's too late.
If there was a sign at the bottom saying "carry on and you'll have definitely an accident" some folk would still go.
Anyway, what so you mean out of their depth. They were on a mountain not crossing a river or in the sea.
@tramcar
Can you only write sentences with 1 word.
Tramcar
08 November 2020@Billy Coles
No - hillwalking/climbing and the pandemic both bring risks ... but also responsibility.