Rescuers during the incident on Birk Side. Photo: Keswick MRT
Two walkers were brought to safety after getting caught out by the dark on the Helvellyn range.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was alerted shortly before 6pm on Sunday when the two women called for help from the western flanks of Nethermost Pike.
The walkers raised the alarm when they found themselves in darkness on Birk Side and, according to the rescue team, without adequate torches.
A Keswick MRT spokesperson said: “The initial call went to the Patterdale team who passed this over to Keswick when their location was confirmed.
“A small team made their way up the Birk Side path from Thirlmere where the pair were located and walked down to their car.”
The rescue lasted almost 2½ hours and involved nine volunteers from the Keswick team.
Mike
09 January 2019Aaargh, if only there was some way of predicting when light levels would fall too low to see where you are going. Sadly we'll never be able to do that and people will continue to be 'caught out' by the surprise onset of darkness.
Jen White
09 January 2019One issue might be that people consistently under-estimated how long it will take to complete a route. On a map, distances which appear relatively short can take triple the amount of estimated time due to ascent demands and terrain. Unless experienced in reading contour lines, a 5 mile route on a map can easily take 3-4 hours (without breaks) in reality. Awareness of what is being undertaken is probably as relevant as being equipped appropriately.
EastLancsRodeo
09 January 2019It genuinely baffles me why even inexperienced walkers would not think that a torch might perhaps be a good idea if they're going up England's highest mountains in January.
No crampons? I can understand the thought process... "no ice at the moment, we're not out every week so don't want the expense etc." but no torch...? I honestly don't get it!
Hey Ho, at least they'll bring one next time. Shame it's at the expense of 20+ hours volunteer time. But thanks Keswick MRT :)
M Johns
09 January 2019They actually had torches with them just not good enough when the weather closed in on them. They were also well equipped and fairly experienced. It was just one of those things where all the circumstances they could have done without all came to be at the same time. They showed good sense by contacting MR as soon as they realised they were in trouble instead of bumbling about blind and getting deeper in the s***. Just one of those things that can happen to anybody.
Paul
09 January 2019Can anyone say why it needed to impact nine volunteers. I can understand the large numbers of rescuers involved with very steep ground or injured walkers, but it doesn't quite add up in these circumstances. Is it a case of being prepared for any/all circumstances ?
Margaret
10 January 2019The weather didn't close in on them, darkness did.
It's not 'one of those things that can happen to anybody.' How did Rescue Team members manage to navigate their way to the walkers?
Remember, there is no such thing as 'winter hill walking' on our highest mountains (even without snow), it's mountaineering and appropriate high level skills are required.
Colin
10 January 2019Well, I'm no expert and I wasn't involved in this particular incident but I still have an opinion and a strong desire to dish out condascending nonsense to bolster my own sense of self-importance.
Ann
11 January 2019Colin - it's social media, lots of opinion - all your doing is taking a different route to the moral high ground.
Mike
11 January 2019Colin, it's not really difficult. It's winter - it gets dark from about 3.30pm. Even on a bright day you're struggling to negotiate challenging terrain by 4.30pm. You take a torch and spare batteries. Or even better, two torches and spare batteries. That weighs only a couple of hundred grams in total. It never leaves your rucksack. It's so easy! It's as fundamental as taking food and water.
spunch
13 January 2019Colin, it's spelt 'condescending'. Remember they were coming down in darkness.