A man in his 50's was reported overdue at his accommodation in Wasdale. He was due to walk over from Langdale but never arrived. We were asked to assist Wasdale MRT by searching escape routes back to Langdale. He was located making his way off the hill, having endured a very wet and uncomfortable night.
A party of walkers were reported overdue. They had set of on a 30 mile route and not returned. They had left no route, but cunning detective work on our part allowed us to work it out. They had been last sighted at Nan Bield Pass at 12.30, lunchtime when one of their number abandoned and returned home. A large scale search using 4 search dogs, and Patterdale, Kendal and Penrith Mountain Rescue Teams was organised. They turned up back in Ambleside at 4.15a.m. having got lost and come back the long way round. They seemed a little surprised that anyone was concerned about them.
A 65-year-old man was reported missing by his wife. She was waiting for him at Grasmere after the split on their walk. He was located at their home having made his own arrangements
We were asked by Keswick MRT to assist in a search for a missing man. He turned up before we'd gone to far!
With most of Kendal MRT committed to a search in the Howgill area, we were requested to assist them with an urban search for a missing despondent male. Nothing was found following a search of open ground, playing fields and housing estates
We were requested to search this area by Keswick MRT. A man had phoned to say that he had become separated from his companions while crossing Greenup Edge, and despite trying, couldn't find his way down. He was able to tell us he was sitting in snow on a North West facing slope. He was eventually located descending with another party. Oddly, his friends(!) had got into a taxi in Grasmere and continued to Patterdale without him. At what time they would have reported him missing is anybodies guess!
A group of two adults and two children phoned the police saying they were lost in the region of Ore Gap, but had no map, so weren't certain. They were located at the top of Rossett Ghyll and escorted to safety. They were suffering from cold. A map would have eased their difficulties. We were assisted by Keswick MRT, because it was possible that they had gone down towards Borrowdale.
A 10-year-old local boy saw someone waving their arms and shouting on the fell. We investigated and found nothing. Quad bike tracks and a complete lack of sheep suggested it was a farmer rounding up sheep.
Same scenario, but three people, a different place. Same outcome.
This couple phoned their father to say they were lost. He phoned the Police. They phoned us. We found them. (Search dog Yana, again) We took them to their hotel. We went home.
Two people were reported overdue from their walk. A search was organised and they were located by team search dogs Anna and Yana, at 3am taking shelter in the tents of campers near Three Tarns. They were escorted to safety.
Girl (16), of Reading, collapsed from exposure near the summit of Fairfield. She was reported to be in a serious condition. While the team made their way up to the scene, an R.A.F. helicopter from Acklington was asked to assist. The helicopter found the girl and ferried her down to Ambleside where the team doctor treated her and kept her under observation.
A search was made of the Greenhead Ghyll area, Grasmere, on information received that a young girl had fallen into a ghyll. After four hours, the search was called off and nothing was found.
Footnote: This turned out to be a hoax and yet again, valuable team funds were wasted.
Weather conditions: Rain and gale force winds.
A search of Wanstell was started after reports of red flares being seen near the summit. This search was called off after two hours after it was learned that three distress flares had been set off by some speed boat enthusiasts in a local hotel car park.
Child (7) from Macolesfield, wandered off from his parents at Harry Place Farm, Langdale, with his dalmation dog, Roc. After a search he was found by the team in a dazed and shocked condition at Penny Rock, Grasmere. A team doctor treated him for shock at Ambleside .
The team were requested to assist Patterdale MRT with a search for a couple who had got lost while trying to complete the Fairfield Horseshoe. They were located on Hutable Crag, after the only light source they had, a camera flash was used to find them. They were escorted to Dunmail Raise by team members and returned safety.. no map, torch, compass,
A father and son from Formby were reported missing. 14 search dogs from Lakes, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cleveland areas called to assist and flown to the area by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer. Found about midday safe and well, had been totally lost. Wasdale and Keswick teams also assisted.
The Wasdale and Keswick teams requested our assistance when 2 schoolboys were reported missing. Searchdogs checked the Rossett Gill, Angle Tarn, Esk Hause areas. At first light small group of team members airlifted to Scafell by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer about mid day, boys found safe and well in Eskdale.
The manager from the ODG reported constant flashing lights on thcfcllside. A small party with search dogs found the problem on Pike Howe. A fire, that had been smouldering on a path had 'f!ared-up'. Path repair gang working nearby during the day.
A search was mounted when a 64 year old man from Kendal was reported missing by his wife. Search dogs checked the usual paths and tracks. Eventually found at Brotherilkeld, Eskdale safe and well. 2 other 'lost' walkers also found at same location.
The team searched gullies and ravines on Gimmer Crag for a missing man. Nothing was found
After becoming parted in very thick mist at Esk Hause, 3 members from a walking club near Southport were reported missing. Team searched without success till 3.45 am. The 3 men came off the fell at 8.30 am, had spent a cold and wet night on Borrowdale side of Stake Pass.
A search was mounted when a 43year old man from Aberdeen failed to return from a walk. Team assisted by search dogs and Keswick MRT. Located him at 2.05 am near Pike-o'-Blisco. Team a'so found some police cadets who were missinp. Everyone escorted to safety.
There was a report from Chapel Stile phone box that there was a person with a broken ankle at Lingmoor Tarn. Team responded and searched the surrounding areas with negative results. MALICIOUS HOAX.
Patterdale MRT requested our assistance when a 32 year old man from Harrogate failed to meet up with the rest of his army group after taking an alternative route. Found dead in a gulley by a search dog at 5.30 am. A helicopter from RAF Boulmer flew the body off the hillside.
A father from Surrey reported two teenage boys missing in the Snarker Pike area. After a small search, found safe and well on a car park in Ambleside. They had followed other walkers to Fairfield.
A couple became lost and disorientated when descending from what they thought was Fairfield. It is unlikely they ever went up Fairfield but after a bit of detective work and searching, they were located near Buckstones Jump in Rydal valley. They had a map and compass in their bag, but didn't know how to use either and had been 'navigating' from Google maps on an iphone... not good...
At mid day 14 teenage students from Plymouth left Thunacar Knott en-route for Mickleden. They failed to reach the ODG. A search was instigated with the Keswick team checking Langstrath. Eventually located near Angle Tarn suffering from exhaustion. 'Re-warmed', given hot drinks and plenty of food then escorted to safety. Low cloud and snow showers hampered the operation.
Suspect navigation in low cloud may have caused a 32 year old man from Shropshire to become lost in the Crinkle Crags area. Using C.B. radio he kept in contact with his wife, who alerted the team. Eventually located on The Band and escorted to safety.
2 walkers last seen on Wetside Edge, failed to reach Coniston. As the night search proved negative the Coniston team requested our assistance. 5 teams scoured the mist shrouded fells. Eventually located in Eskdale at 3.30 pm.
