In the news

• Nearly 4,000 callouts last year as rescue teams warn small incidents can quickly become emergencies

As the clocks go back later this month and daylight hours shorten, Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) is urging people heading into the hills to prepare properly for winter conditions and carry the equipment needed to stay safe outdoors.

The appeal comes ahead of Mountain Rescue Awareness Day on 25 October and follows another demanding year for the volunteer rescue teams across England and Wales, which recorded 3,968 callouts in 2025. Early indications are that higher figures are expected this year.

Analysis of incidents continues to show that poor decision-making, lack of preparation, inexperience and fatigue feature in a significant proportion of rescues.

For Mountain Rescue volunteers, the end of British Summer Time marks the beginning of what many regard as the most challenging period of the year.

Shorter days, colder temperatures and rapidly changing weather can quickly turn relatively straightforward incidents into complex rescues. A walk that takes longer than expected, deteriorating weather, or an injury that might be manageable in summer can become far more serious when darkness falls early and conditions worsen.

The new Ready for the Unexpected campaign has been created to help reduce preventable incidents by encouraging better planning, safer decision-making and the carrying of essential kit before heading into the hills.

Andy Buchan, Chief Executive of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, said: “Mountain Rescue Awareness Day coincides with the clock change and the beginning of a period that many teams associate with increasing operational demand and some of the most challenging conditions of the year.

“For volunteer rescuers, this transition into winter is an operational reality.

“As daylight hours shorten and weather conditions become more severe, the risks increase significantly. The incidents teams attend are often not the result of a major emergency at the outset. More commonly, they begin with something relatively ordinary before circumstances deteriorate.

“Someone is delayed. Conditions worsen. Darkness arrives earlier than expected. A person becomes cold, wet, tired or disorientated. What might have been an inconvenience a few hours earlier can quickly develop into a situation requiring the assistance of a rescue team.

“That’s why preparation matters. Carrying the right equipment, understanding the conditions and having a realistic plan can make an enormous difference, both for those enjoying the outdoors and for the volunteers who may ultimately be called upon to help them.

“We want people to enjoy our hills and mountains throughout the winter. Our message is simple: be ready for the unexpected.”

The campaign is being delivered in partnership with Alpkit, which is donating 10 per cent of sales from selected winter safety and hill-going equipment purchased through its UK stores during the campaign period. Funds raised will support the 48 Mountain Rescue teams across England and Wales while encouraging people to carry equipment that could prove critical if conditions change unexpectedly.

Mountain Rescue Ambassadors are supporting the awareness day campaign. Outdoor creator and hiking influencer Georgie Smith, known to thousands through her WalkingGirll channels, said: “Most people head outdoors expecting a good day in the hills, and most of the time that’s exactly what happens. But conditions can change quickly, especially at this time of year.

“The best preparation is often the simplest and that means having the right kit, checking the forecast and thinking about what might happen if your day doesn’t go exactly to plan.

“Being prepared isn’t about expecting something to go wrong. It’s about making sure you’re ready if it does.

“Mountain Rescue volunteers give up their time to help people when they need it most. If this campaign encourages even a few more people to prepare properly before heading out, that can only be a good thing.”

As part of the campaign, Mountain Rescue is encouraging people to check weather forecasts, understand their route, tell someone where they are going and carry essential equipment including waterproof clothing, insulating layers, a headtorch, emergency shelter, food, water, navigation tools, a fully charged mobile phone and a power bank.

Mountain Rescue Awareness Day takes place on 25 October and it runs until November 8.

Campaign activity will continue throughout the autumn and early winter period, promoting practical advice aimed at helping people enjoy the outdoors safely while reducing avoidable callouts to volunteer rescue teams.

From now until that time 10% of online and instore sales on selected Alpkit winter safety and hill-going equipment goes to Mountain Rescue. The online code is SAFER10.