Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team

Incident No: 49 Date: 15/05/26 Type: Alert Location: Corridor Route – Bad Step Start Time: 19:40 Finish Time: 20:50 Duration: 1h 10m Team Members Involved: 1 Weather: Mostly cloudy; feels like 4.8°C; 67% cloud cover; good visibility; moderate northerly wind Grid Reference: NY 21940 08630 Summary Cumbria Police contacted Wasdale MRT regarding a couple and their dog who were requesting assistance at the bad step on the Corridor Route. The Team Leader established phone contact and, after some reassurance and guidance, encouraged them to move safely up the bad step. Once past the obstacle, they were able to continue their walk back to their car without further assistance. No team members were deployed.

Incident No: 48 Date: 14/05/26 Type: Limited Location: Brantrake Crags Start Time: 17:16 Finish Time: 19:06 Duration: 1h 50m Team Members Involved: 12 Weather: Mostly cloudy; feels like 3.9°C; 73% cloud cover; good visibility; moderate northerly wind Grid Reference: SD 14296 98280 Summary Cumbria Police contacted Wasdale MRT after a team member, who was out with a group, reported that one of the party had slipped and injured his ankle. Although the casualty was only around 100 metres from the road, assistance was required to help him safely descend. A limited team response was deployed, following a short stretcher carry down to the roadside the casualty was placed into a friend’s car for onward travel to receive medical assessment. The team then returned to base to reset for the next incident.

🌟 A fantastic opportunity for a local community member to join our team and make a real difference — without needing to go on the hill. Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team are recruiting for a new Fundraising Lead. As with all roles in Mountain Rescue, this is a voluntary position, and it includes producing a short monthly report for the team and attending the monthly Operations Meeting. The role usually involves giving around half a day to a day per week, plus two evenings per month, although this is flexible and naturally ebbs and flows throughout the year. We welcome applications from supporters in the community — especially those with experience in charity fundraising, strong organisational skills, and time to commit. The role holder would become an Operational Support Team member, as this is not a hill‑going position. The Fundraising Lead works alongside a small team of volunteers to develop and deliver a rolling 12‑month fundraising plan, as well as a three‑year plan to ensure sustainable funding for the Team. The role includes organising fundraising events and campaigns, identifying and securing grants and donations, and exploring new funding opportunities. A key part of the role is also building relationships within our local communities — attending local shows, writing to donors, and liaising with community groups and projects. Candidates should have strong communication skills, be organised and self‑motivated, and enjoy working collaboratively with others. Please note: all Operational Support Team members are required to complete a standard DBS check as part of joining the team. If you would like to be considered, please email [email protected] before 17:00 on Monday 15 June with a covering letter explaining why you would like to be considered, along with a CV outlining your relevant skills and experience. Please include “Fundraising Lead Role – [Your Name]” in the subject line. A role description is available on request. We hope to fill the position ahead of the busy summer season and do expect to hold interviews.

Incident No: 47 Date: 11/05/26 Type: Full Location: Above Lingmell Col / Scafell Pike Start Time: 13:01 Finish Time: 17:27 Duration: 4h 26m Team Members Involved: 14 Weather: Partly cloudy; feels like 6.1°C; 43% cloud cover; good visibility; moderate northerly wind Grid Reference: NY 21171 07544 Summary Cumbria Police contacted Wasdale MRT regarding a female who had fallen on the path between Lingmell Col and the summit of Scafell Pike, with a suspected broken ankle. The first vehicle was deployed, and Helimed 58 (Great North Air Ambulance) was requested to attend. Due to terrain, H58 was unable to land directly at the scene and instead landed nearby before walking up to the casualty. H58 uplifted team members to assist with the carry to the aircraft, after which the casualty was flown to hospital for further treatment. Many thanks to the Great North Air Ambulance Service for their support.

Incident No: 46 Date: 10/05/26 Type: Full Location: Pillar / Wind Gap Start Time: 14:14 Finish Time: 18:34 Duration: 4h 20m Team Members Involved: 20 Weather: Partly cloudy; feels like 8.3°C; 39% cloud cover; good visibility; light north‑westerly wind Grid Reference: NY 17005 11502 Summary Cumbria Police contacted Wasdale MRT regarding a male who had fallen and sustained an ankle injury. The call was made via the iPhone Emergency SOS system, providing accurate information and a location placing the pair below Wind Gap on Pillar. Team members were deployed to the area, and due to the remote location the Team Leader requested Coastguard assistance. Rescue 199 (Prestwick) attended and winched the casualty from the scene for onward transport. The casualty’s partner was walked off the hill by team members and returned safely to her vehicle. Congratulations were also offered to partner for completing all 214 Wainwrights on Pillar. Many thanks to Maritime and Coastguard Agency (Rescue 199) for their support.

Incident No: 45 Date: 05/05/26 Type: Full Location: Miterdale Start Time: 15:43 Finish Time: 20:18 Duration: 4h 35m Team Members Involved: 27 Weather: Mostly cloudy; feels like 9°C; 85% cloud cover; good visibility; light northerly wind Grid Reference: NY 13607 00862 Summary Cumbria Police requested assistance in the search for a missing person in the Miterdale area. Wasdale MRT deployed a full team response, including Search Dog Jess and her handler, who carried out searches of dense woodland. Team members and vehicles conducted further checks of forest tracks and surrounding areas. Additional drones equipped with thermal imaging were requested to support the search effort. The missing person was found safe in the forest before being supported by team members and then Cumbria police officers.

Incident No: 44 Date: 03/05/26 Type: Alert Location: Styhead / The Band (Great End) Start Time: 15:49 Finish Time: 16:28 Duration: 39 minutes Team Members Involved: 1 Weather: Cloudy; feels like 7.8°C; 98% cloud cover; good visibility; light north‑easterly wind Grid Reference: NY 22390 09277 Summary Cumbria Police contacted Wasdale MRT regarding a walker who had become lost in mist on The Band above Styhead. The Team Leader established phone contact, reassured the walker, and provided guidance to help them relocate the main path. Once back on the correct route, the walker was confident to continue independently and made their own way back to Wasdale.

Incident No: 43 Date: 25/04/26 Type: Alert Location: Harter Fell Start Time: 21:43 Finish Time: 22:27 Duration: 44 minutes Team Members Involved: 4 Weather: Mostly clear; feels like 8.9°C; 14% cloud cover; good visibility; light easterly wind Grid Reference: SD 21059 99384 Summary Cumbria Police received a report from a concerned family member regarding an overdue fell runner who had not returned or confirmed completion of their route. Initial investigation by Wasdale MRT indicated that the runner’s last known location was near Harter Fell and that they were likely heading into Duddon & Furness MRT’s operational area. Control of the incident was handed over to @Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team. Shortly after they deployed, the fell runner was located safe and well.

Incident No: 42 Date: 25/04/26 Type: Full Location: Pillar Start Time: 15:58 Finish Time: 18:15 Duration: 2h 17m Team Members Involved: 17 Weather: Clear; feels like 18.4°C; 8% cloud cover; good visibility; light northerly wind Grid Reference: NY 17625 11978 Summary Cumbria Police contacted Wasdale MRT regarding a male who had taken a fall of approximately 20 feet onto rocks, sustaining a suspected arm injury and a possible head injury. Due to the seriousness of the report and the remote location on Pillar, both Helimed 58 (Great North Air Ambulance) and Coastguard Rescue 897 (Carlisle) were deployed. Given the terrain, the air assets reached the casualty before ground teams. The injured male was assessed, stabilised, and winched into the aircraft, then, with both helicopters landed in a safe location the casualty was transferred from the coastguard aircraft to air ambulance for onward journey to hospital. Many thanks to Great North Air Ambulance Service & Maritime and Coastguard Agency, also full & swift recovery to the casualty.

Incident No: 41 Date: 25/04/26 Type: Full Location: Eskdale (Hows Wood) Start Time: 13:29 Finish Time: 16:15 Duration: 2h 46m Team Members Involved: 17 Weather: Partly cloudy; feels like 16°C; 57% cloud cover; good visibility; light south‑westerly wind Grid Reference: NY 18070 00620 Summary North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust called MRT for a female who had fallen in the Hows Wood area of Eskdale, sustaining a painful hip and lower‑back injury. Wasdale MRT deployed to the scene, where the casualty was assessed and found to be in significant discomfort. Pain relief was administered, and the casualty was carefully packaged and stretchered down the hill to a waiting ambulance for onward transport to hospital. We wish her full and fast recovery.

We were delighted to welcome a couple to our base on Wednesday, following their incredibly generous donation towards the purchase of our new all‑weather drone, the DJI M4TD 🚁. Their support has allowed us to add a second waterproof drone to our fleet — a significant boost to our capability in poor weather and challenging environments 🌧️🗻. During their visit, we demonstrated how our drones operate both manually and autonomously, giving them a close look at how this technology helps us search faster, safer, and more effectively across the Wasdale valley and surrounding fells 🔍✨. Having two all‑weather drones means we can cover larger areas, operate in more challenging conditions, and respond more efficiently during callouts. This technology is becoming an increasingly important part of how we locate missing or injured people, especially in difficult terrain or low‑visibility situations 🚑🌄. We’re incredibly grateful for this donation and for the continued support that helps us keep improving the tools and techniques we rely on during rescues 🙏❤️.

Incident No: 40 Date: 22/04/26 Type: Limited Location: Scoat Tarn / Netherbeck Start Time: 16:42 Finish Time: 20:40 Duration: 3h 58m Team Members Involved: 9 Weather: Mostly clear; feels like 8.5°C; 18% cloud cover; good visibility; moderate easterly wind Grid Reference: NY 15500 08096 Summary Cumbria Police received a call from three people who were lost and unable to locate the path to descend safely. Their initial 999 call placed them above Scoat Tarn. When the Team Leader made contact, the group had moved and were now somewhere between Scoat Tarn and Low Tarn. They were advised to head back uphill to regain the main path. A limited team was deployed after speaking with them to give them confidence of getting off the hill. The missing party were located walking down Netherbeck, tired but otherwise well. They were escorted off the hill without further issues.