By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 14:35, Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Volunteers took to the fells to clean them after mountain rescuers hit out at walkers leaving them covered in litter and human waste.

The team did a litter pick on Scafell Pike and filled four bags in under an hour.

Richard Warren, chairman of Wasdale mountain rescue team, said it was surprising how much litter the volunteers had managed to collect in such a short space of time.

He said they were surprised by the number of walkers who had ‘the cheek to ask if they could put their rubbish into the sacks rather than carry it off the mountain themselves.’

“The group did not remove any of the human excrement – of which there was plenty – but did carefully remove many tissues and many, many banana skins and orange peel ranging from that day’s dropping to many that blackened and weeks or months old,” he said.

“Let us hope that the message got across to many that day who might have twigged about keeping our countryside and mountain tops clean for the enjoyment of all. Respect and support our local communities and remember to leave nothing but light footprints when going out on the fells and take away great memories and especially the litter.”

He thanked the volunteers – women from employment agency Adecco Kendal – for giving up their time on Saturday.

The mountain rescue team posted criticisms on their Facebook page earlier this year, describing “shocking amounts of litter, the stink of urine and worse on Scafell Pike and people creating new paths”.

Mike Gullen, Wasdale team leader, said they had “no mountain sense”.

“When I was there I saw a dozen or so plastic bottles, it just smelled of urine or worse,” he said. “As a fell-loving person it was absolutely disgusting.”

Walkers going up Scafell Pike traditionally increase in the summer with the Three Peaks Challenge.

Adam Naylor, manager at the Wasdale Head Inn, which is nestled at the bottom of the pike, said guests had been returning from Scafell Pike “saying how disgusting it is”.

First published at 11:27, Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk