Three inexperienced winter wild campers have been rescued in the Lake District.
Keswick Mountain Rescue team were called yesterday, Sunday February 1, to the three campers at Sprinkling Tarn, who were facing challenging winter conditions and fading daylight, making it difficult for them to safely set up their campsite.
Rescuers found the trio in a dangerously cold state when they arrived at the scene, after the group had used Apple iPhone emergency to relay for help.
While the campers were well equipped for the outdoors, the trio admitted they were inexperienced in the realities of winter wild camping.
Rescuers said the group were appreciative and humbled once teams arrived to help them.
The team navigated wind, rain and snow underfoot to reach the campers, provide them with warm clothing and heating blankets, before helping them with their gear and escorting them back to safety.
A spokesman for Keswick MRT said: “This rescue serves as a reminder that winter wild camping is a significant step up from summer trips.
“It’s an environment where weather assessment, specialised equipment choice, and camp craft are tested to the limit, and we encourage everyone to gain experience in these skills gradually as the seasons change.”
All of the Lake District’s mountain rescue teams are funded entirely through donations. You can donate to the Keswick team here.
Rescuers are often offered a coffee or a pint as a thank you. If you’d like to donate to Keswick Mountain Rescue Teams social event fund, you can buy them a coffee here.
