Team members at the rescue scene. Photo: Keswick MRT

Two young hillwalkers had to be helped to safety after straying onto steep ground on Blencathra.

The 19-year-olds became stuck after venturing off the descent path from the mountain’s summit and heading into Gate Gill.

They were unable to continue down or retrace their steps.

The couple called 999 and Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 1.40pm.

A team spokesperson said: “With their location confirmed using PhoneFind a small team was dispatched to help the uninjured pair down and take them back to their vehicle.”

Six team volunteers were involved in the rescue for almost 2¾ hours. It was the team’s 70th incident of 2021.

Alex Moran on the Inaccessible Pinnacle on the Cuillin. Photo: Hamish Frost

Two teachers have completed a gruelling non-stop Hebridean triathlon to raise funds for young people venturing into the outdoors.

Alex Moran and Mike Coppock completed their Island Munros Triathlon on Sunday, after scaling 13 munros and swimming and cycling between them.

The pair, who were childhood friends, finished the challenge on Sunday, after ascending 6,461m and covering 309km travelling between the mountains. They also swam the 3km across the Sound of Mull between Lochaline and the Isle of Mull.

The two adventurers tackled the triathlon in memory of Alex’s mountaineer father Martin, who was killed in an avalanche while leading a Himalayan expedition in 2019. The Martin Moran Foundation was set up to honour his life and climbing accolades, and to further his belief that the joy of mountaineering should be an experience open to everyone – no matter where they come from.

The pair believe it is the first time anyone has undertaken a single non-stop Island Munros Triathlon. They completed the challenge in 32hrs 22mins.

They started at 10am on Saturday at the foot of the Greater Cuillin Traverse, considered by many to be the UK’s finest and most difficult mountaineering challenge. This first leg covered 12 munros and required running, scrambling and sections of climbing with extreme exposure in unfavourable weather conditions.

The pair come ashore on Mull. Photo: Hazel Moran

After the 33km and 3,323m of ascent, the pair were straight onto their bikes to begin the 244km cycle through the night to reach the coastal village of Lochaline.

The athletes had very little time to rest and refuel as wetsuits were pulled on within minutes to catch the slack tide. They plunged into the cold, deep waters of the Sound of Mull at midday on Sunday to complete the 3km swim over to the Isle of Mull. The strong tides and busy shipping route made for a hazardous crossing as sleep deprivation set in.

Once the men made landfall, they were back in the saddles for a further 24km cycle to the base of the last mountain climb. With a final 960m climb on tired legs, their journey culminated on the summit of the final munro, Ben More, 32 hours and 22 minutes after their start on the Isle of Skye.

Alex Moran said: “It was a euphoric feeling to reach the final summit on Ben More.

“Like all endurance events, there were some extreme highs and extreme lows, especially on the overnight cycle, but with the support of each other, the crew and the generous donations made to the Martin Moran Foundation, I was motivated and inspired to push through to the finish.”

The athletes were supported by family and friends who dropped food in precarious locations, drove the distance and stayed awake for the full 32-hour epic. Both athletes fuel their training on a vegan diet and said their nutrition was an integral part of this challenge and was carefully planned out for the short 15-minute pit stops made every two to three hours.

The Cuillin traverse was completed in poor weather conditions. Photo: Hamish Frost

Mike Coppock said: “With the extremely wet conditions on the Cuillin ridge and two hours over schedule, it seemed like the chance to swim the Sound of Mull safely, based on the tides, was slipping away. If it wasn’t for the support and motivation from all the crew, it wouldn’t have been possible. It was a real team effort!”

Organisers said no other mountain triathlon with as many metres of elevation, technical climbing difficulty, summits and distance in one non-stop effort is known to have been recorded. They added the Island Munros Triathlon is being hailed as one of the toughest in the UK.

The triathlon was sponsored by outdoors brand Mountain Equipment and South Skye Cycles, a bike rental and repair shop based in Broadford on the Isle of Skye.

The athletes hope to raise £10,000 for the Martin Moran Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to promoting the positive impact of mountain adventure on young people’s mental health and wellbeing, and provides all-expenses-paid training programmes for 16- to 18-year-olds across the UK who are passionate about the outdoors.

Snowdon had significant amounts of microplastics in its soil. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Scientists analysing survey results have found significant quantities of microplastic pollution on Wales’s highest mountain.

Samples collected at the summit of Yr Wyddfa-Snowdon showed the particles constituted almost 5 per cent of the soil.

Snowdonia National Park Authority said the microplastics came from fibres shed from clothing and from larger plastic items. The concentration of the pollution was highest at areas where large numbers of people congregate.

The Snowdon Partnership, Partneriaeth Yr Wyddfa, commissioned the survey to examine the possibility of creating a plastic-free zone on the mountain, the UK’s most visited peak, and to consider the possibilities of introducing plastic-free areas in the national park.

The national park authority, which is one of the bodies involved in the partnership, said: “Variable amounts of microplastic pollution were identified in all the soil samples collected along the busy Llanberis Path to the summit of Snowdon in April 2021 and analysed by CGG at its geoscience laboratories in North Wales for microplastic quantification and identification.

“The results were used to determine a microplastic pollution index, designed to help organisations, local authorities or government agencies identify areas of plastic leakage and wastage where microplastics may be entering the food chain or natural environment.

“On Yr Wyddfa-Snowdon, the largest amounts of microplastic were observed where people congregate in large numbers. Microplastic particles constituted nearly 5 per cent of the total sample collected at the summit.

“These were predominantly small, highly abraded particles formed from the fragmentation of larger plastic material and fibres shed from clothing.”

John Harold, director of Snowdonia Society and chair of the Snowdon Partnership, said: “These results are a stark reminder of how persistent plastic is when it gets into the environment.

“A huge amount of litter is cleared by staff and volunteers, but by no means all gets picked up. This work shows what happens when plastic is let loose in the soils and freshwater of our precious protected areas. It breaks into countless particles and we lose control of it.

“Once again this really highlights the need for us all to be extra careful when visiting protected areas.”

The partnership issued a database dashboard produced by CGG showing results of the microplastic survey, showing microplastic hotspots along the route of the Llanberis path.

Rescuers stretcher the injured walker down from Greenup Edge. Photo: Keswick MRT

Two rescue teams went to the aid of a walker attempting the Coast to Coast Walk after he injured himself.

The man was on Greenup Edge, on the section between Borrowdale and Grasmere, when he slipped and heard a snap in his ankle.

The walker managed to find a mobile phone signal and called for help.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 2.15pm on Sunday.

A team spokesperson said: “As Keswick team were short on numbers, help from the Cockermouth team was requested.

“In hot and muggy conditions both teams made their way up from Stonethwaite and after an assessment of the casualty there was a long stretcher carry back down to the vehicles.

“From our Keswick base transport was made available for a transfer to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

“Many thanks for the support from the Cockermouth team.”

The incident lasted just over 5¼ hours and involved 10 Keswick team members.

The previous day, its volunteers were called out to an injured walker on High Seat.

A group of three men were descending the fell towards Ashness Bridge when one of them slipped and injured his ankle and was unable to continue.

The spokesperson said: “Two Keswick team vehicles made their way up the forestry road on the north end of Thirlmere to gain as much height as possible followed by an off-piste slog up and over High Seat to meet the casualty a few hundred metres down the other side.

“After assessing and splinting the ankle the casualty was carried and hauled back over the ridge to the vehicles overlooking Thirlmere, and then taken back to his accommodation in Keswick.”

The incident involved 17 team members for just over three hours.

A map and compass are essentials, the team said. Photo: Dundonnell MRT

Rescuers in the Highlands reminded walkers that a map and compass are not optional extras for those heading for the hills.

Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team hitched a lift on a boat to reach a lost walker above Loch Mullardoch on Friday.

Police contacted the team about 7pm on Friday when the walker called for help after getting lost in the hills north of the loch.

He had set out to ascend Creag Dubh and Bràigh a Choire Bhig without a map and compass.

A team spokesperson said: “The mist came down and [he] ended up walking all the way out to the summit of An Socach where he made contact with Police Scotland to alert them that he was lost.

“He managed to give them the unique number on the trig point which, when checked out, confirmed where he was. The team took a boat up to East Benula lodge – thanks to Angus Hughes for the ride.”

Six team members and two Sarda Scotland search dogs began a search of the area and the missing walker was found, uninjured, about 9.30pm. He was then taken back to his car at the dam at the eastern end of the reservoir.

Team leader Iain Nesbitt said: “I would like to remind walkers how important it is to be properly equipped when heading onto the mountains.

“A map and compass, along with the ability to use it, are absolutely essential at all times of year. They are not optional extras and basic navigation techniques are easy to master.”

Rescuers at the scene in Grisedale. Photo: Patterdale MRT

A walker’s family had to walk to a valley cottage to raise the alarm after she injured her ankle while hillwalking in the Lake District.

The 43-year-old was walking in Grisedale near Ruthwaite Lodge on Thursday when the incident happened about 3.45pm.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 5.50pm.

A team spokesperson said: “With no phone signal, the husband and son walked down to Cruck Barn holiday cottage to raise the alarm, before returning to the casualty site.”

Sixteen team members make their way up to the family, a few hundred metres south of Ruthwaite Lodge.
“After assessing and splinting the woman’s left ankle, and administering analgesia, the team stretched her down to a waiting Land Rover ambulance,” the spokesperson said. “A further examination was conducted back at the team’s rescue centre and it was agreed that she would make her own way to hospital for an x-ray.”

While the rescue was underway, the team was alerted to the plight of a couple who were lost while walking the Fairfield Horseshoe. The pair became disoriented in cloud and started to descend from Hart Crag towards Hartsop Above How.

The spokesperson said: “The team used the GPS on the couple’s phone to identify their position and provided directions back onto their intended route. Their progress was then monitored until they returned to the valley.”

One team member was involved for about two hours. There was a similar incident the previous day when a group of three family members got lost trying to descend from Helvellyn’s summit in cloud.

Patterdale MRT again used the GPS facility on the son’s smartphone to pinpoint their location and direct them to safety, with three team members’ involvement for 2½ hours.

The incident happened at the top of the Scandale Pass. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

A walker undertaking a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition was rescued from a Lake District fell after injuring his knee.

The youngster was with a school group when the incident happened on Tuesday.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 4pm after the student was unable to continue.

A team spokesperson said: “The casualty was located at the top of Scandale Pass. His knee was stabilised using a vacuum splint.

“He was then evacuated to the road on a stretcher and taken back to his accommodation in Patterdale.”

The three-hour rescue involved 15 Patterdale MRT members.

As the team was making its way back to base about 7pm, a member of the public flagged them down near the Brothers Water Inn.

The spokesperson said: “A female in a group of tourists was suffering from a suspected panic attack and was struggling to breath.

“The female was given initial first aid and the team doctor arrived on scene a short while later. The patient’s breathing was stabilised and there were no serious health issues identified.

“Once the patient was feeling a lot better she went on her way with her friend to try and find a camping spot for the night.”

Wasdale and Wast Water. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

A shuttle bus service has launched in the Lake District to try to alleviate traffic problems in one of the area’s most congested valleys.

The vehicles will operate in Wasdale during August and September.

The valley is the starting point for many popular walking routes, including the ascent of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain.

During recent months, badly parked cars along its narrow roads, particularly near Wasdale Head, have caused problems for emergency vehicles and mountain rescue teams trying to reach incidents.

Cumbria Tourism said the new service is aimed at getting people out of their cars and reducing traffic volumes to the popular tourist area by providing an alternative transport option.

The new shuttle bus will run daily for the rest of August, and weekends in September, every 30 minutes between 9am and 5pm from the car parking field at Nether Wasdale for a suggested fee of £2 per person.

Operated by Reays, it has been funded by Cumbria’s Tactical Visitor Management Group, which was set up as a collective, county-wide response to help manage the flow of visitors around the county and support local residents during the busiest times of year.

A free 16-seater shuttlebus is also currently operating five daily return journeys between Cockermouth, Low Lorton and Buttermere village until Sunday 5 September. Timetable details of the timetable are available on the Lake District national park website.

A team of traffic marshals will also be stationed at two entry points to Wasdale during August and September weekends.

Sustainable transport officer for the Lake District National Park Authority Emma Moody said: “We are delighted to work as part of the multi-agency group to launch this bus, which will help keep beautiful Wasdale special and reduce impacts on residents, while still enabling visitors and residents to travel sustainably to Wastwater, Wasdale Head and the start of many popular fell walks.”

Managing director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, added: “Summer staycations are in high demand this year and the beautiful Wasdale valley is understandably very popular with visitors looking to enjoy fabulous scenery or scale England’s highest peak.

“These two shuttlebuses are just one of the practical measures the Tactical Visitor Management Group is taking across the county, enabling visitors to get out of their cars and soak up our outstanding scenery without the hassle of driving.

“Alongside other park and ride services, increased electric vehicle charging points and new rail options it forms part of an ever growing selection of opportunities to both enjoy and help protect our world-class landscape.”

Bus operator Stagecoach is also offering a discounted Ullswater and Penrith Group Dayrider for its 508 service, enabling up to five people to travel around the Ullswater and Penrith zone for £17 all day, from now until the end of the school summer holidays – the same price as two full-price adult bus tickets.

The path through the Steall Gorge will be closed. Photo: Nic Bullivant CC-BY-SA-2.0

Walkers will be unable to use a popular Highlands path while repairs are carried out.

The Steall Gorge footpath, at the base of the Ben Nevis massif, will be closed from Thursday 26 August.

The John Muir Trust, which owns the land, said the complex repairs are necessary as the path is badly damaged.

It said contractors plan to airlift in rock for the work by helicopter on the day after the closure begins.

“This will be a complex operation requiring skilled contractors to deal with the difficult terrain and logistics of repairing a path in such a wild spot,” it said.

Between 12 and 15 tonnes of rock and material will be flown directly into the gorge to be used to repair several revetments to stabilise the footpath. This work is essential to prevent further degradation and maintain public access and safety, the trust said.

Alison Austin, the John Muir Trust Nevis property manager said: “The damage to the footpath is extensive and a team of specialist contractors will be on site to rebuild a number of stone revetments which support the narrow path and maintain access to this magnificent wild spot.

“Unfortunately, this work has forced us to close the path during these repairs, but we are working flat out to make sure the work is carried out as speedily as possible. Apologies for the inconvenience the closure will cause.

“The work to restore safety on the Steall Gorge path is expected to be expensive, and comes at a time when we are embarking on other major footpath restoration projects on upper Ben Nevis.”

The section to be closed runs from the easternmost car park in Glen Nevis eastwards towards Steall waterfall, for a distance of about 1km.

The rescue scene on Skiddaw. Photo: Keswick MRT

Rescuers pleaded with Lake District hillgoers to make sure they have the skills and the gear for their trip, after a five-hour operation to bring a family to safety.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out to one of the national park’s highest mountains at 10pm when the group of five became benighted.

The walkers called for help from near the summit of Skiddaw as low cloud enveloped the 931m (3,055ft) peak.

A team spokesperson said if the group had not managed to call for help, the outcome could have been quite different.

“A PhoneFind gave their precise location and they were told not to move away from that place.

“Team members assembled at base before deploying to the hill. On arrival at the scene a group shelter gave immediate relief from the wind and drenching mizzle and it was possible to assess the individuals.

“Warm and waterproof clothing was provided as well as chemical heat blankets and high energy food before walking them back to the Gale Road car park at the back of Latrigg.”

A waiting ambulance crew checked all family members over before a team member drove them back to their own car below the Whitewater Dash waterfall north of the mountain.

The spokesperson added: “There was plenty of time to start to educate the family about route choice, conditions, timing, navigation, clothing, equipment and decision making.

“Hopefully a valuable lesson was learnt. The outcome could have been quite different had they not managed to call for help.”

The team said people should ask themselves three questions before heading for the hills:

• Do I have the right gear?
• Do I know what the weather will be like?
• Am I confident I have the knowledge and skills for the day?

The incident involved eight team members for almost five hours.