Rescuers short-rope one of the campers from the mountain. Photo: Keswick MRT
Two campers were rescued after getting into difficulties on a Lake District mountain.
The couple spent the night close to the summit of Grisedale Pike but then found themselves in cloud and could not find their descent route.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 11.40am on Tuesday.
A team spokesperson said: “After a short off-piste attempt into the snowy north-eastern bowl, they decided it would be safer to call 999 and ask for mountain rescue assistance. The team deployed two vehicles with a few other team members going direct.
“The team were able to approach using the forest tracks in Whinlatter before continuing on foot up the Sleet How ridge.
“The pair were quickly found, harnessed and helmeted then short-roped back to the main path from where they were accompanied back to their car above Braithwaite.”
The callout lasted just over 3¾ hours and involved 16 Keswick MRT volunteers.
Rescuers aid the two forest walkers to safety. Photo: Keswick MRT
Two walkers who were rescued earlier in the week pledged to raise funds for the team by selling cakes.
The young couple had gone for a night-time walk using their headtorches in Whinlatter Forest on Sunday but got lost in the woodland.
The spokesperson said: “They eventually called for assistance and PhoneFind confirmed their position as just south of Lord’s Seat.”
Team members were called out shortly before 9pm. The spokesperson said: “The team Sprinter was able to drive close to their location and after a short walk the couple’s headtorch was spotted and they were found just off the path.
“Somewhat embarrassed by their predicament, they said they were going to bake and sell cakes in order to make a donation to the team. We’re just glad they’re OK and that they made the decision to call for help.”
Seven team members were involved in the two-hour callout.
Sarah Jones
10 December 2020So, they thought they were capable enough to wild camp in that location in those conditions yet they didn't have the navigational skills to find their way back down.
OMG that picture of the person being short roped off Grisedale Pike. Cringe, cringe, cringe.
Clearly shows a lack of ability and possibly experience. If they couldn't walk down there with micro-spikes on without the rope they shouldn't be on the fells at all.
Ian S
10 December 2020The unbelievable incompetency of some people beggars belief. Grisedale Pike is one of the easiest fells to navigate off, if you have a compass. It's not a very complicated peak. It's got very well defined ridges, going in very different directions. These people need to really ask themselves if they are fit to set foot on the fells. The need to be short-roped off Grisedale Pike is pathetic in the extreme. If they needed that, then how the Hell did they manage to get up there. As for descending into "the bowl", well that says it all. Their "embarrassment" is no excuse.
Ian S
10 December 2020The unbelievable incompetency of some people beggars belief. Grisedale Pike is one of the easiest fells to navigate off, if you have a compass. It's not a very complicated peak. It's got very well defined ridges, going in very different directions. These people need to really ask themselves if they are fit to set foot on the fells. The need to be short-roped off Grisedale Pike is pathetic in the extreme. If they needed that, then how the Hell did they manage to get up there? As for descending into "the bowl", well that says it all. Their "embarrassment" is no excuse.
Ian S
10 December 2020Totally pathetic. They needed short-roping off a fell that is just a walk. Also, if they needed that sort of help, how did they manage to get up there? As for descending into "the bowl", why on earth did they think that was a good idea, when a simple check of a compass (obviously not got that essential item) would, with a map (not got that either) have revealed a number of easy ridges to descend by? Oh no, they can't manage that simple thing. Let's rely on MRT instead, the easy option. Absolute knobs.
TravelFox
11 December 2020Use Komoot and you will never get lost!
Nigel
11 December 2020It’s a difficult one to get off in bad visibility , think the short rope is essential in any rescue , am sure they’ll learn in the future . People need to be a bit more sympathetic to others in these situations
Jim
11 December 2020Everything else aside, that top photo is hilarious! Guy at the back looks like he's having a little dance and the one at the front is like a toddler on a leash!
brenda
11 December 2020Nigel are you one of the campers because what you say is pathetic.
Nigel
11 December 2020I don’t think it’s pathetic to be safe and make the right call in a harsh environment , it was snowing after all
James
12 December 2020Nigel,
If I were you I'd stop replying because you've just confirmed your original post was pathetic.
"it was snowing after all"
"the short rope is essential in any rescue"
Definitely pathetic
Nigel
12 December 2020That’s harsh , I think their valid points
Colin
12 December 2020So much hate on grough these days. Pathetic indeed.
Ian S
12 December 2020No Colin and Nigel, this is a pathetic scenario. They go up Grisedale Pike and have no idea how to get down, taking the most ridiculous route off, when there are easy ridges. Then we see the photo of one of them being led off an easy path wearing a toddler's harness. It would be laughable if it hadn't inconvenienced the rescue team. Every credit to the rescue teams for not directly criticising those they rescue. However I will.
Joanna Austin
13 December 2020Winter walking in the Lakes is a serious undertaking. I am fairly experienced now but would think very carefully indeed before tackling the higher fells in winter conditions on short December days. Glad all ok and well done MRT.
John P
13 December 2020Nigel,
How can you possibly say "the short rope is essential in any rescue" is a valid point.
How about, the bloke who slips on ice and brakes his ankle while walking on the new and inappropriately surfaced Keswick railway path. Do you think he should be walked down the path on a short rope. Or the couple who get lost in cloud on Loadpot Hill do you think they need the rope treatment.
If you can't say anything worthwhile perhaps it's best to say nothing
Nigel
13 December 2020If there’s a risk of falling then I’d say it’s essential to be roped up hence why MRT have made the correct decision , common sense really . As for the bloke braking his ankle on as he slips on ice , tarmac path or hillside if there’s ice you’ve a risk of slipping regardless of the surface , again common sense really .
John P
14 December 2020Nigel,
You need to stop for a moment because you're not listening to what people say. Actually you're not even listening to yourself otherwise you wouldn't say it.
No one said there isn't a risk if there's ice on the ground. People are simply pointing out that your comment that "the short rope is essential in any rescue" is a stupid thing to say and not the case at all.
the only person showing no common sense is you, far from it.
Nigel
14 December 2020Sick of getting trolled on here , Nigel out
Mike
18 December 2020I'm still loving the minister for silly walks sneaking up behind them.
Carl
19 December 2020This story is unbelievable, I'm almost lost for words.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the lovely marigolds
Carl
19 December 2020This story is unbelievable, I'm almost lost for words.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the lovely marigolds
Billy whizz
19 December 2020Carl, you're right when you say this is unbelievable. The really sad thing is, the unbelievable is happening all too often these days.
Then, we get people like Nigel trying to defend what they did.
Adrian
20 December 2020So much for it being the season of goodwill. There's a lot of nastiness on here.
It's not their fault they're stupid enough to have done what they did. Maybe the rescuers were just trying to make them look complete fools by using the kiddie rope.
I suppose it will teach them the valuable lesson that they are inexperienced, and too dumb to navigate off somewhere so easy.
If you really have to come back do so in summer and use a proper campsite. That'll keep you out of harms way.