it seems to me that many of these ill prepared people don't make much effort to get themselves to safety. Instead they immediately call on the rescue services as soon as anything goes wrong.

Self-Reliance - "Reliance on one's own capabilities, judgement, and resources."

A diminishing concept on the hills today.

Hadn't they seen the forecasts: very strong winds at height and rain, sometimes heavy, all or most of the day? I too was desperate for a walk on Saturday but as a seasoned fell-walker didn't feel the need for height and instead thoroughly enjoyed a walk around Derwent Water with a pal. We got a right soaking, but that's what waterproofs are for, and passed plenty of other folk enjoying the round-the-lake walk too. It was well worth the trip over from The North East, better than being stuck at home annoying my wife!

As Ian512 has said, self-reliance, that's what it's about, or should be. Know your own capabilities, be sensible and remember the Lake District is more than just the high and/or better known fells. There are some fantastic valleys to walk through and lakes to walk around too as well as the lower fells.

OK, I understand the rescue teams are saying this with the best of intentions and, I suspect, the faint hope that people will take notice but come on we all there’s no point. Most people likely to go out ill prepared are the people that will never read this article or if they do read it they’re the people who would refuse to be advised if you told them to step aside to avoid being hit by a speeding car.

Sadly these days many people go into new venture thinking they’re already the expert. Then, at the first sign of having to make a decision for themselves they call for help and no doubt look for someone else to blame.

There have been many discussions about charging people for getting rescued and I agree there’s no easy answer but in many cases these days, people aren’t actually being rescued. What they’ve done is rang the MRT and asked them to offer a free guiding service. That’s fine, let them do this but before leaving the rescue headquarters, tell the people that 'MRT guiding service', like any other guiding service comes at a cost.

The article doesn't actually say they were ill equipped just got lost in the heavy weather. Mind you have sad it before that if they say proven you were not equipped correctly then you should pay for the service you have received. MRT are not the fire or ambulance service which we pay for through taxes but a group of volunteers who are there for emergencies and the unforseen.

On the whole I would have to agree with everything that’s been said regarding self reliance or rather the lack of it. Plus, they obviously didn’t have enough mountain navigation skills to get themselves off the fell, whether it be into the correct valley or not. Far too many people see the mountain rescue teams as their first point of contact when they hit the slightest of problems these days instead of the last resort when things go horribly wrong such as someone actually having an accident.

Although, they could have been well equipped as Gary – Wales says, so without proof we shouldn’t jump on the ‘ill-equipped’ bandwagon.

Re the comment from Rod Hepplewhite,
I assume you’re the same person who regularly walks with David Hall of www.walkthefells.net fame. With well in excess of 100 walks every single year and often over 1000 miles a year he’s probably one of the most experienced fell walkers in the country, it would be interesting to hear his opinion on these matters. Just curious that’s all.

Colin, you're right, I am he. My comment could have been written by David Hall. We've discussed this subject on a number of occasions, David especially has been driven to despair by some of the MRT reports on Grough. In our discussions David suggested a form of insurance policy: you make an annual donation to MRT, perhaps £20 or £25, which is registered and you get a card; if you have to call out MRT and you have made the donation and have the card it's free; without the insurance and card you are charged, perhaps £100, to MRT.

I could also add that the comment by 'Wilf from Keswick' could have been written by David or me as we have spoken along similar lines on our walks.

I hope the experience of the ill prepared walkers, and no doubt the "talking to" by MRT, has made the individuals appreciate their mistake and that they will no doubt be much better prepared in their next excursion.

People make mistakes.

A wise man learns from them, a fool is bound to repeat them.

Has no-one here never made a mistake...?

(Deafening silence ensues)

Don’t be pathetic Jay-jay, no one on here has said or hinted that they’ve never made a mistake. That’s not the underlying point of these comments. What people are saying, is that when you do make a mistake you get yourself out of it rather than call the MRT at the first sign of difficulty.

Making a mistake like getting lost is not a good enough reason to call the rescue teams. Having an actual accident is a different matter.

Colin, good comment.

What if someone who was lost has done everything within their ability to try and rectify the mistake made but simply can't find the right way off the hill, and calling the MRT has been done to prevent a person(s) from actually having an accident . I appreciate that this doesn't sit well with a lot of folk but surely it's better to call out rather than to risk a serious accident of even worse . I agree with comments about being better prepared and self reliance & it should be a last resort rather than a first option.

Yes it's possible to get misplaced and not be able to find "... the right way off the hill ..." but being self reliant usually means you would be able to find ' another way off the hill'.

That may mean the descent into a valley that is a long walk or an expensive taxi away from your car. Calling a Mountain Rescue Team is not an alternative.

If someone feels they may get lost and "... calling the MRT has been done to prevent a person(s) from actually having an accident... " perhaps they should pay for a guide before they start on the hill.

Rather than being "useful" I'm sure all of you will agree that a headtorch and whistle are actually essential items of equipment! I'm sure this is a "typo"!