Charities who raise money in upland areas should always donate a percentage of their tie to the local rescue team who provide the free safety for their numpties.

Actually. We had a map and compass which we used effectively and got ourselves to safety on the main road to Horton. We were fully equipped with torches and emergency equipment which we used when needed. We contacted the services to make them aware we there as we presumed family members would be worried and would probably make an emergency call. We therefore requested that they informed them we were safe and well. We then let them that once had reached the main road. As we began walking back to our car along the main road we were spotted by the mountain rescue who we were extremely grateful to for giving us a lift back to out cars. The volunteers very kind and helpful.

For the record Peter corrigan we are not numpties we are simply kind hearted people, pushing ourselves to our limits to raise money for a number of worthwhile charities which you or your family may need one day. We made every effort to avoid inappropriate use of mountain rescue services.

We were there yesterday and I have to say Marie Curie did an amazing job ensuring our safety was the first priority. Didn't make checkpoint 2 until 3pm so missed the 2.30 cut off to complete the final peak to ensure no one was doing it in the dark. "Only the 3 peaks" childbirth is easier ✌

It sounds harsh when I put it like this...but these individuals should contact their organisations first off.. then if they are unwilling or unable to assist those lost then mrt should be contacted at the walkers charities cost.
Mrt are a charity too dont forget.

I overnighted once on the summit Lingmell. Popping out at 2am for a comfort break I was staggered at the line of lights etc along the Pike path. It was clear some of them were of a pretty poor lux. No sooner had I got back in the tent the familar sound of the rescue helicopter approaches.
I know accidents happen.. I just think the organisations need to do a lot more to protect those who seek to raise money in their name.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks is hard. Harder then the National Three Peaks as you are combining a lot of distance and ascent / descent.

I like Pete's comment that fundraising organisations should give something back to the area they run their events in. This is an excellent ethos.

If you do not know how to read a map, how to navigate in poor conditions or how to use a compass (if only to orientate your map) then should you be gaining into the hills unless under the guidance of an experienced navigator?

have taken part in 2 challenges for the british red cross. they have 8 manned checkpoints across the route, radios and ambulance assistance along with cut off times for the third peak

well organised and felt very safe.

people need to take responsibility for there own safety by carrying and knowing how to use safety equipment. Mountain rescue is there for emergencies not because you cant get a phone signal

Ban them.

These are commercial propositions with only a percentage going to charity.

Furthermore they ruin the hills for others and cause too much strain for the local infrastructure - rarely contributing positively to the local economy.

Can somebody please explain why the screening process for comments appears to only allow negative comments.

Although I do understand why people may be frustrated by people who recklessly set off to undertake the three peaks these are few and far between and those who are attempting to raise money for charity are doing so with good intention. In addition these people do add to the local infrastructure by generating income through the use of local businesses.

The anti-spam system is automated and uses various criteria to hold posts it views as suspect.
I have approved comments on this subject that had been intercepted by the software.
Bob Smith
Editor

I am extremely proud of those eight young women who accepted a lift to their cars from MRT on Saturday. They acted responsibly by contacting the MRT to let them know they were in fact OK as they suspected that worried relatives who were unable to contact them may spark an unneccessary rescue attempt.The report is not factual and has a definite media slant which is unfair. I feel that they are being the target of harsh negative comments when in fact they acted responsibly, worked well as a team and used all the suggested equipment to guide themselves to safety. I sincerely hope that you never need to use their services of Intensive Care, Acute Medical Care, Neonatal Intensive Care or a Psychiatric Crisis team and then be subject to ridicule for it.

Putting the emotion to one side for a moment - there appears to be a difference in fact between the Rescue Team comment and the group involved comment.

Were they, "reliant on smartphone apps for navigation and illumination," or, "We had a map and compass which we used effectively," presumably with the use of torches.

As one of the rescue team involved I would like to apologise for the misleading and inaccurate information one of my colleagues has published.

* These girls were a small group not an organised party
* They did the right thing
* They did learn some valuable lessons without these comments
* I hope they will not hesitate to call for help in the future should the need arise
* I hope they continue to enjoy the outdoors and all its challenges and rewards

Regarding the general issue of organised groups and their management: I would encourage all organised groups to seek a wide range of advice regarding the information and preparation they expect from participants. The consequences of being ill prepared can have significant consequences; being prepared ensures the day can be enjoyed and remembered for the right reasons.

Thank u Steve for saying that. We did our very best in it all to get through to the end where we did find our way. We did not intend any of it to happen as I'm sure no one does, we did have all the right equipment we just miss judged the time we had left to make it to the road and got into a bit of a pickle because it was dark even though we had torches :) we do absolutely thank u guys from the bottom of our hearts for you being there at the end it would have made the night even longer if not. You provide an amazing service that is greatly valued and appreciated. thanks again.

As the Duty Controller when this incident took place, I'd just like to add a personal apology for any upset caused to the group involved in this incident. A team member passed inaccurate information to me regarding your group's readiness. Subsequently, an accurate account of the group's preparedness was passed to me, and I am happy to set the record straight. The online record of the incident has also been amended accordingly. We do not wish in any way to deter people from contacting emergency services when necessary, and the comments regarding organisers of large walks should not have been associated with this incident. Once again - I'm sorry for any distress caused, and am pleased you appreciate the service which, as volunteers, we do our best to provide.

I've done both the national 3 peaks and the Yorkshire 3 peaks for 2 different charities and both times we were supported by a guide who walked with us at all times and a ground support team who met us at various points on the journey with refreshments. I would never attempt to do something like this without a guide as my navigation skills are poor! We were especially grateful to our guide who navigated us through the less soggy parts of the Horton Moor bogs!!

Clearly there's been a bit of misinformation circulating about this case. It's good to see that the rescue service has come forward to clarify matters.

From what I can glean about the call out there was a bit of naivety on part of the party in making the call. Rescue teams are going to respond, even at a low level, to calls from misplaced walkers. In this case it involved no more than a drive along an B road during which time they found the party making their, to their credit, back to Horton.

The section of the route on which they got lost is surprisingly hard to discern on the ground. It's on short cropped glass with limestone pavement and in failing light it doesn't jump out at you as the obvious route. The party did many things right, they were appropriately equipped and they stayed together throughout. Given that they must have turned 90 degrees to their left to follow a more discernible track was the major error. Well if some of the above people have never done this in good faith well then they've never done much. Lessons learned by all involved, I reckon.

I hope the members of this group get out there again soon, maybe with a bit navigation training, and continue to enjoy the terrific landscape of the Yorkshire Dales.