this just beggars belief that anyone could be so stupid to not only put their lives at risk but also put the rescue teams at risk too trying to find them when they wont help themselves!

People like this so ill equipped should not be there in the first place !

I'd like to say 'unbelievable' but these days these sorts of stories seem to be the norm! I've seen so many incidents like this recently - it's usually groups of kids relying on nothing more than an iPhone for navigation, or morons like this lot not taking sound advice. Last summer in the Lakes I was heading down Brown Tongue having enjoyed a pleasant scramble up Scafell Pike; the weather turned in an instant and it was absolutely dire. Two young lads were attempting the Three Peaks - they were in fashion trainers, jeans and football shirts - no map, food, common sense. Our group urged them to go home - but did they listen? Did they bollocks!

"Using a guidebook to navigate rather than maps" is OK so long as you do what the book says, but "blaming the descriptions in the books for their errors" is just plain stupid. If they believed that, then surely everyone with the same book would be wandering around in the dark, but it seems they were the only ones, therefore they are stupid. I await the mobilisation of the Patterdale and Kirkby Stephen teams during the week. Beyond that point, I expect they'll give up, so it won't concern rescue teams further into Yorkshire.

We are an accommodation provider along the route. We hope that they have cancelled the walk and all the accommodation on route. Is there a name for the party as we will keep an eye out for them if they are still on the route?

I spent years in my youth rambling, sometimes in the Lakes and Dales but mainly in Snowdonia, and would never have considered going out without the correct clothing and equipment. Even many years ago, I can remember meeting people in shorts and t-shirts miles from anywhere with not even a drink to keep them going. In the 70's I even came across a school party who were on a "set route" walk and had just one map/compass between 20-odd people. They also had no food or drink because "the teachers have got it ready for us at the meeting point". That was another 7 miles away! The mind boggles at what would have happened if the weather had changed dramatically. Perhaps it's time that a law was passed to make it a legal requirement to carry basic equipment when going on these rambles - ie: correct clothing and boots/shoes, maps, torch, compass and food/drink. I don't want a nanny state, but innocent people have to risk their lives to save these idiots, and they should have some form of legal back-up to stop the cretins from wandering around putting themselves and others in danger.

Over the years I have spent countless hours working on and around Dent fell which,of course is on the first day of the C to C. The fact that the adventurers are on the first day ensures a greater number than might be encoutered further along the route and pehaps, a greater proportion of incompetents. I have encountered folk with pitiful levels of equipment such as the man withtwo plastic carrier bags and sandals and amazing navigational skills;three girls battling their way out of a forest plantation into a clear felled area a mile or so off course and in a more or less westerly direction, from whence of course they had just come(they were navigating by guide book!). I have witnessed staggering levels of fitness as in the case of a rather portly couple of no great age immaculately turned out in brand new equipment who,having scaled Dent had sat down feeling unable to continue and on spottig me pleaded to know how far it was to Ennerdale Bridge where they could throw in the towel.At least they had the wit to pack it in!

Why not publish the names of the people rescued, and send them a bill for the rescuers' time? If nothing else, it will help the rescued realize that there is a cost to a rescue.
Who knows, they may even pay!!

The same sort of tale comes up time and time again at sea with the RNLI rescuing people who are equipped with a boat, and not much else, possibly a mobile phone and almost never a chart.

Perhaps an incompetence levy after the first rescue?

(These are personal opinions and not those of the RNLI)

2 Words.....BRAIN DEAD. I could have added several more but they would have been censored. Grrrrrrr.

Will they make a donation to the Mountain Rescue.....Will they Feck.

Send them the bill for the 2nd rescue

Just been up Skiddaw today and had a brilliant walk,while I was there I met three young lads on Mountain bikes,well done for getting to the summit I thought,however looking closer I realised they had no rucksacks, only one rider had a helmet on, although they were listening to some quite soulfull tunes on there Ipods it was difficult to take anything positive away from any reason they were there in the first place, One of the lads said he suffered from vertigo and found it easier riding with one eye shut!(made me laugh out loud that one)
It was never going to be for the view, or even the riding as they looked grossly incompetent and nervous as they rode off.

I can't understand people who don't take a responsible approach to there outdoor pursuit, weather its walking up a fell or cycling along a canal path,if your going to need rescuing at least take the self duty of care to avoid yourselves looking daft should a situation arise.

I live in Cumbria and am out all the time. Even in the height of summer, I carry full winter kit, emergency bivi and a 2 person plastic bothy in case of an accident. Carrying a larger pack is great as it keeps you in top fitness ready for longer backpacking trips. Its truly mind boggling to see walkers out on the tops carrying and wearing sod all!!!!!!
Surely, due to those 2 last rescues of the 73 year old man some sort of rules could be made????????
I hope you charge him for one of the rescues.

I live on part of the coast to coast route, and meet many lost walkers - some of whom have done full circle, carrying nothing more than the Wainwright guide. I can't believe that these people are seasoned walkers... or, are they?

Unfortunately, I think I know which group you are referring to in the story. They looked clueless passing through my village.

I walked the Coast to Coast this Spring. My partner and I trained beforehand, and were well equipped, using 2 guidebooks, OS maps and compass. We found both the areas where this party had problems to be fairly tricky to get right, and we had clear weather conditions. We could not have found our way without using map and compass. It is beyond belief that anybody could attempt this walk with just the guidebook, as once you're off track you're fairly well scuppered.

It's a disgrace that a volunteer rescue person suffered a serious injury going out to help these idiots.

I walked the Coast to Coast September last year and my guidebook was erroneous unfortunately ( through no fault of the publishers, in the year between when this edition came out and my walk some things had changed) so I needed a map and ultimately a compass to get me through. Pity that I still got lost after the hard bit was over, but that was due to misreading on my part and tiredness. Even then, use your common sense (in my case, follow the river downstream).
But the amount of people I came across who did part of the walk on sneakers and with a tiny day pack is unbelievable...

I'd like to thank all the MRT's across GB for their ongoing commitment despite increasing incidents like these.

Volunteering and having to place your own health/life on the line to rescue these *insert any impolite word* requires a commitment and professionalism that I sadly lack. I'd be inclined to kick them down the hill, after having a good crack at strangling them. Shame we just can't leave them up there. A good dose of hypothermia after a night out in the hills may make them finally change their mind/come to their senses.

My thoughts go out to the MRT member injured, and I wish them a speedy recovery.

My wife and I have just completed their c2c and consider ourselves novices however I did have all the required kit. My guide book said basically that it was all you needs to do the walk , I got lost a couple of times and yes I needed my map and gps, maybe these books should stress the need for compass (and being able to use it). Maps and possibly a gps as well. We were also advised because of the really bad weather to take An alternative route ie by road which we did. People need to take notice of the excellent advice given by the b&b owners, who were first class... Well done the MRT we are in debt to you all and hope we never need to call you we done....

What a long thread......depressing reading ....... like the comment from LAMRT re I am dreading the clocks going back and our ill equipped, torchless walkers, suddenly losing an hour of valuable daylight We all carry extra torches, extra clothing and extra food (for the casualty) Pleased we are not on the Coast to Coast in addition to the three Peaks. I like the comment from LAMT "Mountain rescue teams to the east: beware!”

Hope the ankle injury recovers quickly and the team member can get back out on the fells soon.

Funny they all have a phone, though, to put the onus on others, with scarcely a thought, and with no effort on their part.
I am all in favour of naming and shaming on the 2nd rescue despite a fierce dislike of any MR callout details being released under other, more "normal", circumstances. (Especially on "social media").
Having never used a Wainwright guide, I would have thought the preamble INSISTED on map, compass and know-how, rather than the opposite.

One summer a few years ago I came across a man and his two young lads near Crinkle Crags. It was a baking hot day, he was wearing a vest, trainers and tennis shorts; one 500ml bottle of water between them.
After a remark from me along the lines of, "not far now", he thought they were heading up Scafell Pike. After I'd pointed out where it was he then asked if he'd be able to get there from where they were.
He had a road atlas of the Lakes with him for direction.
Told him it was best if he headed back down.

Seems to me that as long as MRTs do their work for no charge, there will be people who take advantage of that and take risks that they would possibly not otherwise take.
For the responsible majority there are plenty of reasonably-priced insurance policies which cover the cost of search and rescue. For those who are unwilling to buy insurance, the chance of receiving a hefty bill might make them think twice about their ability, fitness and equipment before setting off.

Anyone heard about the coast to coast walker and his DOG? On Sunday morning he was walking near to the motorway bridge at Shap, when he was trampled on twice by a herd of cows that were protecting their calves! The injury was so serious that he had to be airlifted to Carlisle Hospital. We all should know not to hold onto a dog whwere there are cows and calves

interesting comments, i made the 1st comment and toned my views down to what i really wanted to say but echoed what all have been saying.

I did Whernside at Easter when snow was still on the tops in places, i was fully kitted out with rucksack/first aid kit etc and safety gear but the amount of people i saw in t shirt and shorts, no rucksack,water etc was unreal. About a 1/4 mile from the top the weather broke and the mist came down and I was glad of my gear. I dread to think what state the others in t shirt and shorts coped ?

I was so astonished i then blogged a piece on what do you carry in your rucksack to make people think a bit more about their safety ! The friends of the 3 peaks reblogged it so others could share it.

I am not advocating this but we can all have accidents no matter well equiped but isnt it time if people have no proper gear etc they are charged a fee that goes to help the MR teams.

some of us are lucky

MRO kit should be uptated to include a baseball bat : for beating sense into idiots

As a B & B owner in the Lakes I too have guests with no idea of the dangers of the fells. I have maps and compasses to loan out that I sometimes have to practically force on people. The most memorable was the young lady in the party heading for Skiddaw who insisted "I'll be fine - I can walk anywhere in these flip-flops" Fortunately, she had large feet so I was able to insist that she borrowed my boots! However, I do feel that semi-experienced climbers have a lot to answer for. I see so many groups of friends where one or two are urging the other somewhat reluctant members of the group to tackle difficult fells in weather conditions that are not ideal. Young people (and the elderly) do not like to lose face with their peers and allow themselves to be talked into climbs beyond their level of competence. Truly experienced climbers will never urge others to tackle walks beyond their ability but the enthusiastic amateur is a menace, "It'll be fine, I've done it before so I'm sure you can" is a phrase that strikes dread in me.

Is there any reason why these criminally ill equipped people shouldn't be named and charged for thier rescue?

I agree with all the previous comments. Amongst other things, knowing how to use an O.S. map and compass and preparing notes for your route for each day , as opposed to relying solely on guide books, is all part of the fun but in my view an essential part of what is required to experience the great outdoors. Anyone who cannot do that competently should not be allowed on the hills. I feel just the same about idiots who sail the seas armed only with a misplaced sense of adventure and a road atlas. It is always reassuring to know that the rescue services are available if required, and let's face it, accidents do happen in the best of well prepared circles! In my view we have a duty to minimise those risks for the sake of those who often risk life and limb in the cause of saving others, including the incompetent, mindless idiots the subject matter of these comments!