Lakes fell deaths highest for 17 years

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Burbage rescue for Sheffield mayor

Edale Mountain Rescue Team came to the rescue of a distinguished casualty yesterday.The Peak District team was called upon to rescue the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Jackie Drayton, from the moors in the Burbage Edge area.Cllr Drayton agreed to act as a casualty during one of the team’s regular training exercises.  She was carried by stretcher by members of the 26-strong squad.

Law on mountain locators a step closer

Climbers in an American state could be forced to carry radio locators when on mountains.Legislators in Oregon have approved the first stage of a law which would make it a legal obligation to have a mobile phone and a locator of some sort when climbing on the state’s mountains.This follows a rescue last month when three climbers and a dog were rescued from the 3,429m (11,249ft) Mount Hood after they used a locator which led search parties to them.

Water company starts charging for access land

An English water company has started charging commercial bodies for using its right-to-roam land.United Utilities, which owns 142,000 acres of land in north-west England, the largest UK holder of land for water catchment, began its charging regime at the beginning of this month.The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) and Mountain Leader Training England met with managers from United Utilities, owners of land from the Lake District National Park down to the Forest of Bowland.

3,000ft charity challenge this summer

A charity is hoping to put walkers on the top of every 3,000ft mountain in the British Isles this summer.WaterAid hopes to get a sponsored team on every one of the 303 peaks topping the magic 3,000ft mark on a date in June.The charity aims to raise cash to help the world’s poorest people get a supply of clean water and in doing so break the record for having someone simultaneously on each of the peaks in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Camera obscura for Cairn Gorm

Cairngorms tourists will be in the dark following a decision of the National Park Authority.Planners have approved a plan for a camera obscura above the Coire Cas car park, enabling visitors to get a new view of the area.The chamber will be in the existing garden area in a 19m tunnel.

Walker survives Highland mountain fall

A hillwalker was injured in a fall on a Highland mountain at the weekend.Glencoe Mountain Rescue team was called out on Sunday when the woman, who was walking with a group on Meal Lighiche, south of Ballachulish, tumbled 150 feet after a rock gave way under her.She suffered a broken arm, head injures and multiple bruising in the accident.

Osprey love triangle brings egg despair

Ospreys, those large, fish-eating birds of prey that visit our shores during the summer months, seem to be making all the news at the moment.There’s an osprey soap opera n full swing in the Highlands, involving a love triangle, murder and infidelity.Bird experts at the Loch Garten Osprey Centre watched with baited breath as a returning male bird found his former mate sitting on a clutch of eggs sired by a love rival.

Mountain council votes to raise subs

Charles Clarke was re-elected president of the British Mountaineering Council at the weekend.Subscriptions to the organisation will also be raised after members passed a resolution in favour.