By Ross Brewster

Last updated at 14:16, Monday, 26 January 2009

A Lake District mountain rescue team leader has issued a plea to walkers to ensure they are properly equipped if they plan to venture on the fells in severe wintry conditions.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team has already responded to 11 rescues in 2009, compared to just four by this time last year.

The team, which had its busiest ever year in 2008 with 90 rescues, had four calls outs over the weekend, most of them down to walkers getting lost in bad weather.

Leader Mark Hodgson said it was reasonable to assume that three of the incidents were down to the severe weather conditions on the day.

He urged all walkers venturing on the fells to do so adequately equipped for the winter conditions; and carry ice-axes and crampons.

Maps and compasses were also recommended for all walkers, along with sufficient spare warm clothing and spare food and hot drinks.

Mr Hodgson said: “Conditions on the higher fells are significantly more extreme than they are at valley and lower levels.”

Friday’s first call came at 2pm to two walkers who had made a navigation error coming off the summit of Blencathra in heavy cloud and strong winds with snow and ice, ending up in the upper reaches of Sharp Edge, from where they raised the alarm by mobile phone.

Seventeen members of the team went to their assistance, with some of the team climbing Sharp Edge and others going round to the top by Scales Fell. The heavy cloud and strong wind made communications with the cragfast pair difficult. The two uninjured walkers were roped from their location by the Team and walked back to the foot of Mousethwaite Comb. The incident concluded six hours after the initial alarm.

While this rescue was underway, a lone walker called 999 to raise the alarm when she could not find her way off Skiddaw, again in heavy cloud, strong winds and with deep snow and icy conditions underfoot.

Phone conversations resulted in rescuers knowing that the walker was at a fence, but she could not determine which fence or which way to go.

Given the conditions, a further six members of the Keswick team, helped by 20 members of Cockermouth Mountain Rescue and five search dogs from SARDA Lakes went to the walker’s aid.

The woman was eventually located near Hare Crags between the summit of Skiddaw and Skiddaw House, from where she was assisted uninjured by the Cockermouth Team. The third call of the day came at 5.15pm while the other two rescues were still underway. Two walkers reported themselves unable to find their way off High Spy, again due to heavy cloud cover and high winds.

First published at 11:24, Monday, 26 January 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk