In the news

Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team was called out at approximately 19:00 on Saturday 10th August. The Team were requested to help two 21-year-old male walkers who had set off from Buttermere and had become lost in severe conditions on a nearby mountain. SARLOC (a phone location tool utilised by Mountain Rescue) was used to pin down the casualties location as just off the summit of Red Pike and the team was dispatched via Scale Bridge.

Conditions were atrocious, with high winds, torrential rain and frequent areas of knee-deep water. A fast party was sent ahead to locate the party, whilst the rest of the team followed. The two walkers were located near Lingcomb Edge at approximately 20:20, given the severity of the weather and their deteriorating condition, they were immediately escorted off the summit. Once in a more sheltered location the casualties were given dry clothing and food before being escorted back down to Buttermere lakeshore and waiting vehicles.

Eighteen Team Members attended the callout, which was the 38th this year and lasted five hours.

Team Leader Andrew McNeil said, ÔConditions tonight were awful, and the Team worked well to get the casualties down as quickly as possible. We would advise that anyone heading up into the fells ensures that they know the severity of the chosen route and have checked that they are prepared for incoming weather conditions.Õ

Cockermouth Mountain Rescue recommends

http:// www.adventuresmart.uk/ as a good starting point for any first time hikers, to ensure they are adequately prepared and can get maximum enjoyment out of their day.