"Lost" at 2040 at this time of the year? Plenty of daylight left, no reported injuries: since when did it become acceptable to phone Mountain rescue to say that you're "lost" Whatever happened to self relience?

i would hang my head in shame if I was a member of that group!!

It appears to be a regular type of occurance (see previous articles above) which no one seems prepared to address.

I wonder if this was a charity event?

Well even the most experienced walkers find themselves in trouble sometimes.The use of map and compass is needed as weather can change very quickly on the hills . I'm pretty sure the groups children and the mountain rescue team would rather they held their heads in shame or would you have preferred to have them out all night with the possibility of not returning to their family's . Maybe you will hold your head in shame some day . There's no shame in being alive.......scottish hill walker.

For the record Mr Taggart, I am an MRT Member, Winter ML and, whilst this is a personal view and not representative of MRWE, being "lost" with the possible consequences of a night out where their is no danger to life is, simply, NOT a reason to call MR. You say yourself "the use of map and compass is needed"; couldn't agree more!! Learn to navigate, relocate and get yourself safely off the hill and/or be prepared to spend a night out if necessary ... simples!!

I have found myself in serious trouble due to a genuine accident caused by a rockfall from above as well as many a navigating misdemeanour.... you see, I do accept even the most experienced can find themselves in difficulty. Some of those were back in the day before mobile phones, which are a scurge on the hill as many people lacking the necessary skills simply think they can simply call MR to come and fetch them. What would the group in question have done pre-mobiles or if the had no mobile signal/flat battery? Simple answer; sort it out themselves without calling MR?!

Don't worry though, I'll still turn out of a warm comfy bed to find someone who is "lost", but am becoming increasingly frustrated at an increasing lack of self reliance amongst hill going folk. it Don't even get me started on charity events Ian512!!

We all get lost sometimes.....briefly, until the cloud clears (hopefully).

My big issue with all this is that there are too many people going up who simply have no idea.

My girlfriend and I were finishing a walk from Thirsk to Horton-in-Ribblesdale and throughout the walk we probably saw no more than 10 people walking, over the 2.5 days.

We arrived at Pen-y-Ghent from the East and headed up to the 'Gate in the wall'. However, seeing the number of walkers heading up we decided not to bother and headed straight down to Horton.

This was a decision based on previous experience......neither of us could face the prospect of seeing the flanks and top of PYG strewn in banana skins, plastic bottles and empty 'power drink' cans. This is the legacy left us by the 'charity walkers'.

Over 1000 charity walkers were doing the walk that day. This will continue until mid way through September.

The rubbish they leave and the erosion they cause should be enough to get the charity events banned. It is that simple.

Places like Horton and Wasdale Head (part 2 of the so called national peaks challenge (by car!)) cannot cope any longer. At Horton there were 2 buses parked illegally on double yellow lines

We spoke to a Park Warden whose greatest wish was to have the so called charity events stopped.

IT IS TIME FOR THE CHARITIES TO FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO, to get their money, unless they educate their people.........PLEASE DO SO!!

I fully agree with Gareth J's comments. who on earth invented the three national peaks challenge? presumably someone who has no idea that car fumes contribute to global warming...And as for the Dales three peaks ....erosion, litter, traffic congestion in these tiny villages nearby, campsites over flowing with all kinds of waste. Yes some will argue what about the financial benefits it brings to these villages, well I for one stay well away from such places and the surrounding hills because of this charitable influx and go elsewhere - so the people like myself who provide the year round revenue these pubs, cafes and shops need to survive are actually driven out. I know - why don't we have a Charity Fun raiser Three Peaks Walk called "Save our Village from Traffic and Discarded Energy Drink Bottles".........

Just for the record and to clarify my comments from earlier. I am a member of an MRT and winter ML. My views do not represent MREW, but it’s a personal view that, getting “lost” when there is no danger to life is not an acceptable reason to call MR. Everyone who ventures on to the hill has a responsibility to be able to use a map and compass, navigate themselves off the hill safely and/or be prepared to spend a night out if necessary.

I have got myself into difficulties but have coped; even if it meant an uncomfortable night out or a long walk home. Nowadays it appears to be the accepted norm to think its okay to phone for help a long time before it’s actually needed. What would this group have done pre-mobiles or if they had no signal/flat battery? Simple answer; sort it out themselves.

Don’t worry though; I’ll still turn out of a warm bed to look for people who are “lost” but am increasingly frustrated at the lack of responsibility and self reliance amongst people on the hill these days.

Must agree with GOM, how many times have we seen folk in training shoes ,jeans and a tshirt on top of the three, only last year I was on ingleborough having a brew, when a group of teans touched the trip, within a minute you couldn't see 3ft in front of you, luckily the cloud cleared pretty quick but the group was devided in different direction within that time, fortunately one of them had the sense to ask if they could follow me back down...foolish going up there without at least the right equipment.

I think the real test of the word "LOST" is to see if they'd phone the MRT for rescue if they knew they'd be charged £100 for their callout charge.

Amazingly, I genuinely think 95% would find their way down safely rather then pay £100.

Today, few people are taught self-reliance. Everything is at hand with a mobile. Strange how someone might be phoning for help from a £600 iPhone, but expect volunteers to rescue them for free.