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Lake District Mountain Rescue Teams : plea to walkers
April 2008. Mountain rescue teams in the Lake District have made a video to highlight the challenges they face in dealing with a huge increase in call-outs.
Richard Warren is chairman of the group that represents the mountain rescue teams (MRTs) in the Lake District. In this short video, he explains how and why the MRTs are now under such pressure.
The number of call-outs has doubled in the last five years or so. So the MRTs - who are all volunteers relying solely on fund-raising and donations - are having to deal with a quite unprecedented increase in demand. The pressure on the individuals in the teams is now so great that many are now leaving the service because the commitment required is now just too great.
This is surely a very worrying situation and is particularly ironic as 2008 sees the 75th anniversary of mountain rescue in Great Britain.
In order to reduce the call-outs to more manageable levels, the MRTs have embarked on an education campaign to try and cut down the number of avoidable incidents. They are urging walkers to take a few simple steps before setting out for days in the high mountains:
- Plan your route so the length, ascent and terrain are within your (and your companions') skills and capabilities.
- Prepare properly making sure you have plenty of food and water, some extra emergency food/clothing, whistle, torch and mobile 'phone in case you are forced to be out longer than you anticipated or you need to summon help.
- Check the weather bearing in mind that conditions on the tops can be very different to those in the valleys.
- Make sure you start out early enough in the day to complete the route (with stops) and get back before nightfall.
If you are not sure about any of this - check out our Hill Skills channel for more detailed information on What to Wear, What to Take, your Well Being in the hills including Planning
your Walk, Navigation Skills and Dealing with Emergencies.
For a great selection of pre-planned routes all over the Lake District including length, ascent, estimated time for completion and our exclusive 9 point grading system see:
The Lake District Central Fells (inc. High Raise & The Langdale Pikes)
The Lake District Eastern Fells (inc. Helvellyn & Fairfield)
The Lake District Far Eastern Fells (inc. High Street & Stony Cove Pike)
The Lake District Northern Fells (inc. Skiddaw & Blencathra)
The Lake District North Western Fells (inc. Grisedale Pike & Dale Head)
The Lake District Southern Fells (inc. Scafell Pike & Glaramara)
. . . .and for the days when you get up late, or the weather closes in and the tops are shrouded in mist - see our selection of The Best Walks to do in The Lake District when it is raining.
Incidentally, the opening shot of the above video 'flies' over Beacon in the Blawith Fells with Coniston Water beyond. To go there see walks c140
