A pair of young walkers who had to be rescued by a Lake District mountain rescue team have failed to pay their bills – and taken two head torches.
Volunteers from Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team were called out late on December 29 to rescue the two young men in a seven-hour operation after they became lost on Scafell Pike.
After what the team has dubbed an avoidable rescue, the young men were offered a bed at a reduced rate at the Wasdale Head Inn when they arrived from the rescue in the early hours.
Steve, the bar manager, agreed to allow them to stay in an empty apartment with a 35 per cent reduction.
The team said: “We avoid judging those we rescue but struggle to understand when the rescued take advantage of hospitality provided by our supporters in the valley.
“The two had already agreed to pay but their money was in their tent somewhere high on the fell near Green Gable.
“Disappointingly, in the morning they offered no thanks for the efforts of the hotel, asked for further reductions to the cost, pushed hard for a breakfast and asked if they could arrange transport to get them out of the valley.
“The answer was, sorry no extras and please transfer money when you can. Sadly there has been no payment to the hotel of the £130 outstanding room cost or thank you to Steve.
“Neither did the telephone number given to Steve work.
“We as a volunteer organisation are also missing the two head torches lent to them to get them safely off the mountain.
“The hotel has already agreed to cover the loss thanks to Steve and hotel owner.
“However, as we had promised to cover any loss if the walkers failed to pay, we do still feel obliged to reimburse the hotel from our own funds in order that similar hospitality can be requested in the future under similar circumstances.
“We have tried contacting the two walkers to encourage them to settle their debt with the hotel but also to return the head torches.
“We also would like to return their hospital crutch left in our vehicle that one of them with a previous leg injury had used on the ascent but again, sadly no replies to date.
“This will hopefully prompt the two young males to settle their debt and return the head torches.
“They might also reflect on the kindness they were offered that night by the staff at the Wasdale Head Inn and our own volunteer team following their eventful visit to Cumbria.
“Our search and rescue service is freely provided by our unpaid volunteers, we never charge but equally donations are always appreciated, especially to help contribute to our significant capital and operational costs, and even some of our more unusual but rare £130 losses.
“A thank you is all we ask.”
To support Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, donate – or pay your hotel bill if you were the rescued walkers – at https://donate.justgiving.com/charity/wasdalemrt/donation-amount
