Grisedale Tarn: scene of two rescues today
Two Lake District walkers have been rescued as gales and winds lashed much of northern Britain.
Members of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team were called to help a woman from Lincoln who was suffering from hypothermia near Grisedale Tarn. Another walker, from Dunfermline, had to be rescued by the team on the same path after falling and suffering a suspected broken arm.
Sixteen members of the team took part in the two operations. A spokesperson for the Patterdale team said: “Weather conditions were poor, in accordance with the severe weather warning which had been issued for the Cumbrian fells for Saturday.”
Weather forecasts for the Lake District can be obtained by visiting the Weatherline operated by the Lake District National Park authority, or the comprehensive Mountain Weather Information Service, which was forecasting, as the rescuers said there would be gusts of 75mph or even 85mph on the highest tops. The forecast for today said: “Walking will be severely affected by the wind even at low level, whilst on higher summits and ridges, any mobility will be very difficult. You may well be blown over. Severe windchill.”
Richard Warren
05 October 2009I was surprised on Saturday morning when Wasdale MRT were called out to an incident on the corridor route (Scafell Pike), to find many cars in the car parks and walkers out on the high fells - forecast gale force winds and torential rain.
I still find it bizarre that many people pay little attention to severe weather warnings. particulalry when you meet a group of 4 struggling down in saturated jeans and no overtrousers! (although they did get themselves off the mountain without having to call anybody out)
The clocks go back in two weeks so I suspect we may have another busy couple of months with callouts at 6.00 pm for people who have forgotten to take a torch with them - The lakes are heading for 500+ incidents this year 10% up on last year which was itself an unfortunate record year
Richard Warren
Member Wasdale MRT