Rescuers with the group of llamas on the fell. Photo: Keswick MRT
Rescuers in the Lake District had a moment of llama drama during a surreal encounter on a fell.
Members of Keswick Mountain Rescue Team had been called out to a walker in distress on Sunday when they were passed by a group of the camelids more commonly seen in South America than northern Cumbria.
The team was alerted shortly before 3pm when a 40-year-old man descending Cat Bells had a couple of trips and stumbles before going into an epileptic seizure.
A team spokesperson said: “Another walker called for assistance and team members were dispatched.
“Helimed 58 from the Great North Air Ambulance Service was also alerted but by the time members arrived the man was recovering and was able to walk himself off to a waiting ambulance at Little Town.
“Just as things were concluding a group of llamas passed by.” It was, the spokesperson said: ‘A surreal moment’.
The incident involved 17 Keswick MRT volunteers and lasted almost two hours.
David
28 June 2021How much kit can a Llama carry? Asking for a friend ;)
As ever, great teamwork from such awesome volunteers. I hope the gent is able to get back to the hills soon.
Emily
30 June 2021I clicked on this thinking MRT had to rescue a llama on Catbells, which would be pretty mortifying for the llama, given they're from the Andes.
Hope the chap who they did rescue recovers and is back on the hills.
Christina Goode
30 June 2021—a bit of lightheartedness amongst the seriousness of Mountain Rescue can only be good for moral support all round. Three Cheers for all our amazing rescuers ....
Chris Goode (Cockermouth)
Zooroper
01 July 2021The really sad thing David is that I immediately knew how to answer that question! 100lbs at altitude - they are used every year to supply an aid station on the Leadville 100 Ultra in the US.
https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a22803700/leadville-100-llama-recovery-station/
Zooroper
01 July 2021The really sad thing David is that I immediately knew how to answer that question! Over 100lbs at 12,000'+ altitude - they are used every year to supply an aid station on the Leadville 100 Ultra in the US.
(Google "leadville-100-llama-recovery-station")
Peter C
09 July 2021I suspect you will find that they are Alpaccas! A little smaller and much more common in the U.K. I believe there is an Alpacca farm near Ullswater.