It was a busy weekend for Lake District mountain rescue teams – with one called out three times back-to-back.
Both Wasdale and Keswick teams had multiple callouts – with Wasdale volunteers initially called out on Friday.
Walkers had made a navigational error on Friday night while descending Scafell Pike. They had got onto difficult ground at Broad Crag and called for help at around 6.30pm. They were well equipped to camp out so the decision to stay out and to minimise the risk to the team was made.
Team members went out at 6am on Saturday.
A spokesman said: “Our team members were deployed to the walkers’ location, where additional warm clothing and helmets were given. They were then assisted back up the steep ground to the summit of Broad Crag, from where a standard walk-off could take place.
“The walkers were escorted to Wasdale Head Inn, from where they were looking forward to a warm up, food and drink and and then a long and expensive taxi journey back to their car.”
Just as the team members got back to the base, the team was called out by police as a walker had slipped on Great Gable.
She had a suspected broken ankle.
A spokesman said: “As some members of the team had just returned from the previous callout, and with numbers also a little low for the long and difficult carry down to Wasdale Head, additional assistance was requested from our friends at Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team and also a Coastguard helicopter.
“Both were able to respond quickly.
Once on scene the team medics assessed and splinted the ankle, before the stretcher carry down to Styhead Tarn. The helicopter was then able to return to pick up the casualty and take her to hospital with some skilful flying in difficult and variable weather conditions, saving us significant effort.
“The teams then made their way off the fell, with the intent to go back to their respective bases and replenish vehicles. However, shortly after the vehicles got moving, the next call from Cumbria police arrived….”
At around 5.10pm, the team was told a walker had reported feeling dizzy and unwell at Lingmell Col on Scafell Pike.
The spokesman added: “Members of both teams responded once more and returned to Brackenclose for the ascent, with Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team first on the hill.
On arrival the Duddon and Furness team members found that many passing walkers had stopped to help the casualty in various ways: food and drink, energy gels, emergency shelter and foil blanket.
“This no doubt helped the casualty both physically and psychologically and many thanks go to all those who delayed their own journeys to help a fellow walker.
“The team medics then assessed the casualty but following this had enough concerns to request a quicker evacuation to hospital via helicopter. Once again, the Coastguard team were engaged and this time Rescue 199 from Prestwick was despatched to assist, with the team on scene continuing to provide monitoring and reassurance.
“This time both mountain rescue teams returned to base and then their homes without another call. in total, the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team base was operational from 5.30am until 11.30pm with three lengthy back to back callouts. A bit of an epic day!”
Meanwhile, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team had two callouts on Sunday.
They were called out to Falcon Crag and High Pike.
At around 12.25pm, the team was called out to the path above Falcon Crag between Ashness and Walla Crag. A 50-year-old man tripped and stumbled, injuring his ankle. He was unable to continue and the man called 999 for assistance.
Keswick team members reached the casualty via Ashness Bridge, his ankle was splinted before he was carried on a stretcher back to the road and their own vehicle for onward transport to hospital.
At about 3.55pm, the team was called out to High Pike. A spokesman said: “While descending from High Pike, near the end of an accompanied 10-mile fell walk, a spritely 75-year-old woman slipped on wet muddy ground and twisted her replacement knee and was unable to continue.
“The casualty’s knee was examined by a team doctor and strapped up before helping her onto a stretcher for a smooth sledge ride down the grassy slopes to the team vehicles. The woman was then taken to the group’s vehicle nearby.”
The woman helped by Keswick Mountain Rescue Team said: ” A&E confirm no broken bones, but I’ll be using crutches for a while. I’ve made a large donation to your funds. Thank you so much for your help – you guys are heroes.”