Crampons are essential for anyone heading for the high fells
Mountain rescuers warned walkers the Lake District fells are in full winter condition and anyone heading for the mountains should have an ice-axe and crampons.
The warning followed an incident in which a group of walkers helped a woman from Dollywagon Pike after she was unable to carry on after slipping on ice.
Both Patterdale and Keswick Mountain Rescue Teams were called out to help the walker about 2.55pm today.
A Patterdale team spokesperson said: “Although uninjured the woman and her husband were unable to continue due to the conditions underfoot and their lack of equipment.
“Two team members who had just come off the fell started to make their way up Grisedale valley to assist the couple when the call came in from the police saying that experienced, well equipped passers-by had come to the aid of the couple in their predicament.
“Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team would like to remind people that currently the high fells are in full winter condition and ice-axe and crampons are required.”
The Keswick team had earlier been called to help a man who collapsed on his way up Helvellyn from the western side.
The 68-year-old man was thought initially to be suffering from a diabetic episode but he was later diagnosed to have possibly had a stroke.
Rescuers were alerted about 10.25am today and six of its volunteers went to the scene near Browncove Crags in support of an ambulance paramedic who is also a team member.
A second team vehicle was sent, with a doctor and paramedic.
A team spokesperson said: “Once his condition was established, the Great North Air Ambulance was tasked, and it was able to land about 200m from the casualty site.
“The team then transported the casualty to the aircraft, and he was flown to the Cumberland Infirmary for treatment. The team brought the gentleman’s dog off the fell, and this was later retrieved by family members.”
Seth Dunn
17 February 2014Crampons are very useful , and the variety of traction devices - from ice climbing tools like grivel G14's right down to basic walking spikes means that no one really has an excuse to be without them .
I have Hillsound trail crampons . These only take up a jacket pocket of space , fit on over any boot and whilst not a full crampon they are significantly better than the popular 'Microspikes'' .
Sean Winter ML
17 February 2014Crampons and Ice Axe and the knowledge how to use them correctly . (practice with them in a safe location)
Better Still book on a winter skills course .
lets hope there all ok after their experience
and BIG thanks to MRT again !
Sean Winter ML
heidi
17 February 2014a couple who stayed at the guest house I work at, planned to climb helvellyn yesterday, via striding edge. I asked if they had crampons and ice axe and they said no. I said there was a lot of snow up there and suggested they do a lower fell with little snow cover. they just laughed and said they would be fine. they left the guest house at 10am so it must have been about 11am before they started. hopefully they turned back and were ok. what would you have done/said if you had been me? I got the impression they felt I was trying to spoil their fun and was too serious
Steve
17 February 2014I was up there on Sunday, a gorgeous day but from Whiteside almost down to Grisedale Tarn is sheet ice in most places. So am guessing the whole ridge is the same up to Clough Head. One lad who came up Swirral Edge said it was 'crispy' till the very steep bit at the top which was loose snow. Stridding Edge was fantastic but there was only one route to the top at the time. Most people seemed to have some sort of spikes or crampons but if you didn't, well the news item is warning enough. The main thing is they got off safe, I hope everyone else did too.
Nuala
20 February 2014I was up on Great Dodd to Clough Head on Sunday and can confirm ice all along the ridge. Spikes essential. We met several people retreating because of the ice.
Margaret
25 February 2014Spikes? You mean crampons?
Lets not mess around; you need crampons if you are going on the hill (no matter what what some shop tells you) and you need to know how to use them effectively in the many different situation you might find yourself in up there.