The ten-stone bulldog had to be rescued from the Wastwater Screes
A mountain rescue team was faced with a difficult casualty when it was called to help walkers on a Lakeland route.
Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team had to carry a 10-stone (64kg) exhausted dog from a boulder field overlooking England’s deepest lake.
The team was alerted at 6pm yesterday, bank holiday Monday, to help a pair of walkers stuck on the path across Wastwater Screes.
A spokesperson for the team said: “A limited callout was made and team members walked to their location from the south-western end of the lake.
“The walkers from Leicestershire were participating in a series of walks across five national parks and had an extremely large dog with them that would not continue over the loose, slippery boulders so they were walked by the team back to the north-eastern end of the lake, a much easier, if longer walk.
“Having already climbed the over the Screes summits including Irton Pike, Whin Rigg and Illgill Head as part of a lengthy, planned round trip, the return path by the side of Wastwater appeared on their map to be an easy route back to their campsite in Irton.
The Wastwater Screes route 'has a sting in the tail'
“However, the path has a sting in the tail upon arrival at the boulder field at the south western end of the lake.”
The spokesperson said the boulder field has no clear path, has slippery and unstable boulders and is more of a scramble than a lakeside ramble. It regularly catches out walkers, especially those with dogs.
The spokesperson added: “The rescue provided the team with the unusual challenge of motivating an exhausted ten-stone bulldog without losing an arm or leg.
“Fortunately the bulldog was very compliant and friendly as it required an improvised carry over a difficult section of the path.”
It is the second time in six months a dog has had to be rescued from the Screes route.
The team spokesperson warned: “Walkers need to be aware that the Screes walk is not a stroll and is difficult terrain for both dogs and walkers.”
Twelve volunteers were involved in the rescue, which took more than four hours.
Growler
08 May 2012The dog should have been shot. Not worth the effort and waste of resources.
Al
08 May 2012Growler, do you contribute to these “resources”?
Correct me if I'm mistaken, but these rescuers are probably volunteers to some degree. They act without self-interest in giving their time to come to the aid of others.
Refusing to help was always an option.
bob
09 May 2012Troll alert. Try not to take the bait.
al
09 May 2012Haha, probably.
Though it's getting harder to distinguish them from all the rest of the conservative/miserablist rambling types.
RWerks303
09 May 2012i agree...the MRT could have said no...glad they didn't though...nice people :)
Richard Warren
09 May 2012Dear All,
As a member of the Wasdale Mountain Rescue team who was involved in the rescue there are mixed views within the walking community about whether its a waste of resource or not. If the dog was shot it would still need to be recovered.
Our ethos and indeed our charity constitution says that we save life and alleviate distress. We rescue crag fast sheep on behalf of the farmers and rescue dogs to alleviate distress of the owner (and animal) - its all good trainign and indeed now and again it makes a pleasant change from some of the more tragic incidents we have to deal with.
So is it waste of resources? I personally give my time freely along with the rest of mountain rescue volunteers and any opportunity to get out of the house onto the fell is always a bonus - it is just good that its a win win all round
Richard
ps - it is not a suitable path for dogs so perhaps the national trust or park authority should take on board an encourage walkers with dogs to avoid the area
RWerks303
09 May 2012^^^ commendable reply sir.
OutdoorsAndy
19 May 2012Thanks you Richard, (and the rest of your team and all others), for your time and efforts :D
You make our hills and high places safer and for that we are all in your debt.
Forrest Slater, Jr.
08 June 2017I hope I'm safe in assuming that the comment referencing a nasty demise for the dog (man's best friend, bye the bye) was either a lapse of decency, or simply a large dose of 'tongue in cheek' .