Bonnie recovered after consuming a bacon sandwich. Photo: Patterdale MRT
Mountain rescuers helped reunite a walker with his lost dog after the man survived a 500ft fall on a Lake District mountain.
The dog survived a night in severe wintry conditions after the walker was unable to make his way back up the steep ground to retrieve her after his fall.
The man survived his fall, in a whiteout on Caudale Head, with only minor injuries.
A spokesperson for Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, which was called out to help the walker from Warrington, said the worried man walked into the Brother’s Water Inn at Hartsop about 2.45pm after descending from the fell where he had been walking solo.
The spokesperson said: “He had lost his dog in a snowstorm and wanted to call the police to alert mountain rescue.
“Patterdale mountain rescue team members were immediately called and a small group went to the man’s assistance.
“On arrival, it transpired that the man had walked up to Caudale Head, but found himself in whiteout conditions on the summit.
“He decided to take a compass bearing to take him north and back to the safety of the bunkhouse where he was staying. However, while walking on the bearing the man slipped and fell approximately 150m down a very steep snow-covered mountainside.
“While he was falling uncontrollably he lost his dog, crampon and both walking poles. Unbelievably, the man survived the fall with only cuts, bruises and a sore shoulder.
“He made a concerted effort to climb back up and find his dog but rightly turned back when the terrain became too difficult.
“With darkness falling, and the severe weather set to stay overnight, Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team took the difficult decision to wait for the weather to subside on Sunday morning before starting a search for Bonnie, the missing dog.”
The team feared the area might be prone to avalanche after heavy snow on Friday and went equipped to search in the conditions.
The walker fell 500ft on Caudale Head
Five members of the team and the walker climbed for an hour and half to reach the corrie and then formed a line to search the area.
The Patterdale MRT spokesperson said: “When they arrived there was no sign of the missing dog, a large area to search and lots of snow, which in some places was waist deep.
“With snow shovels, probes, avalanche transceivers and ice-axes the team set about their task.
“After an hour of searching – and slipping and falling – the team spotted a dog sitting on a small rocky outcrop.
“Minutes later they found a broken walking pole, a crampon and eventually another pole. The line that the man had fallen down the day before was clearly evident.
“He was indeed very lucky to have escaped relatively unscathed.
“Amazingly, the dog had survived the night, and with a bacon sandwich inside her and some dog treats she was able to walk down the steep mountainside to be reunited with her master.
“They were both extremely pleased to see each other and quietly recognised how lucky they had both been. The team walked off the mountain and everyone went for a well earned pint of ale in the local pub.
“Patterdale mountain rescue team would like to remind those venturing into the fells that full on winter conditions exist on many high fell tops.
“An ice-axe and crampons are essential.”
Seven team members were involved in the rescue of the dog in an operation that took five hours.
Rob
03 February 2014Should be done for neglect.. My hound can run any fell but I don't take her out on them in dangerous weather / ground conditions and would never, ever, leave her behind!
Stigofthenest
03 February 2014Rob get back on planet Earth, your comment is beyond belief. The poor geezer fell 500ft losing half of his kit in the process and ''He made a concerted effort to climb back up and find his dog but rightly turned back when the terrain became too difficult.''
So if he had gone up and perished up there. then no-one would have been alerted to rescue the dog.
I hope for your own sake you don't ever have an accident because with an attitude like that you're heading straight for the MRT statistic book.
As for bad weather for dogs.. Given that said pooch survived a rough night on the fell I'd say they're pretty well equipped for it.
Rob
03 February 2014Why, when we need hard wear and emergency warm kit, would anyone in their right mind take a dog into conditions that can lead to a pretty bad experience for all concerned. If you can recall the fate of the late, and much admired, Gerry Charnley, who fell to his death from Swirral Edge trying to save his dog ( oh, no crampons) from sliding over a cornice.... I, my friend, am very careful in respect of dogs, children and adults that I accept responsibility for in the hills. Shame that more people don't give sufficient thought to their actions and the consequences for everyone (dogs included) that have to deal with them.
Stigofthenest
03 February 2014Dogs have fur coats don't they? - They're outside animals aren't they? - The story doesn't mention what breed of dog it was - could have been a husky, bernese or st bernard for all we know. The fella had crampons and walking poles (no mention of an axe granted) and the dog could have been on a lead.. I don't think that you or I have enough info to pass judgement. I have no recollection of Mr Charnleys accident so have no comment to pass on that.
snideshowbob
03 February 2014If we take the above photo as the dog concerned he looks a hardy chap to me.
Sean
04 February 2014Hi thanks to the MRT for rescuing the Poor Dog, and what a lucky chap !.
Im a Qual Winter ML and i take my springer with me on most days in winter as long as im not doing any serious climbs.
same as this chap who had a bit of miss fortune.
I was out on Sat up there in gusts of upto and including 90mph white out conditions etc but it was a safe adventure.
on the Coledale Round, and My Dog loved it.
Rob with all due respect this chap had an accident, plenty of owners take their dogs out in winter conditions they love it, as long as you select your route within your limitatons and your dogs ;-)
Chris
04 February 2014As a witness. The guy, back in the safety of the pub, was in significant shock and pain after the fall. Coming down was 100% the right decision and minimised the risk to himself and rescurers. Observing his condition was a significant lesson for me.
The dog was on a lead which might have risked its safety and movement after the fall. Caught up it could have been hidden from view and unable to draw anyone's attention to itself or the faller. I also see how well protected the dog was with its waterproof and visible with luminous coat so that's another tip for me. Really glad they are all safe and well done to all involved.
Redlady
09 February 2014This is my friends brother & in response to the comments from Rob about him taking his dog with him I can vouch that he is an experienced walker for many years & has organised a lot of group walks. Also he is an animal lover & like me an avid walker so you are welcome to your opinion but as you know there are worse things happening in the world & to animals so think before you write next time.
Jeff & Sylvia
10 February 2014Excellent news that both are safe and well and much credit to Patterdal MRT! Well done, a happy ending :-)