A 21 year old man from Crosby fell 500' from rocks near top of snow/ice climb. He sustained back, leg and very serious head in|uries. A helicopter from RAF Boulmer flew team doctor and unconscious casualty to Lancaster Hospital. Later transferred to Preston Royal Hospital. His condition was critical for some time.
A 51 year old man from Ambleside fell about 25ft and sustained a complicated fracture to his lower leg/ankle. Stretcher lowered 200ft down gulley and carried over snow covered boulders to Kirkstone. Then by ambulance to Lancaster hospital. Both climbers very experienced.
A light was reported high on the hillside above Kirkstone Pass. A team member went to check, and after seeing that it was making progress downhill and subsequently making voice contact, was able to establish that the person was not in need of help. It was very cold!
We recieved a call to assist a fallen male climber on Tarn Crag, Easedale, Grasmere.
The Patterdale Team requested a medical unit, with the rest of the team on "stand by" at Ambleside base, when 6 males from Cleveland fell a considerable distance whilst attempting a route in very poor snow conditions. Teams from Kendal, Penrith, Kirkby Stephen and R.A.F. Linton M.R.T. struggled in blizzards, deep snow and gale force winds to carry the 3 dead, and 3 with multiple injuries. An R.A.F. helicopter was forced back due to the appalling weather.
A 38 year old man from Loughborough fell 30ft., and sustained severe bruising and shock whilst trying to climb fresh snow. The Team were called to evacuate the inexperienced party, who had no ropes or crampons, from the top section of the Gulley.
A search was mounted to find 4 climbers overdue from Great End Gulleys. Assisted Wasdale Team, and searched Sty Head to Langdale. Found Brotherikeld, Eskdale.
A search was mounted for a male climber reported overdue. The Team, assisted by Kendal and Keswick Teams searched Great End and Bowfell areas. Found unharmed 9.30 a.m. on 14th January 1980.Lost in darkness, no torch carried.
A 31 year old man from Westcliffe-on-Sea had fallen about 300ft. from a main gulley onto snow sustaining head injuries and a possible fractured cheekbone. The Team escorted him down.
Footnote: His injuries may have been caused by his Ice Axe. Another climber stopped him falling any further — very well equipped.
Weather Conditions: Cold, Deep Snow, Ice, Clear.
A report was received of 3 men caught in an Avalanche. Search by Keswick Team all. night. They were found the next afternoon at Eskdale.
Footnote: Team was taken by Helicopter (R.A.F. Boulmer) to the Central Gulley area (with Avalanche Probes) to assist Keswick, Wasdale and S.A.R.D.A. This was the first time we used the new "Sea King" Helicopter.
Weather Conditions: Cold, Waist Deep Snow, Low Cloud.
A 24 year old woman from Newcastle upon Tyne slipped and fell 300ft. while climbing a snow gulley on Hanging Knotts, Bowfell.
A group of 5 climbers from Birmingham University became cragfast on rough ground at the top Middlefell Buttress.
A rucsac was reported abandoned on the Climbers Traverse. The team was on a training exercise with a helicopter from RAF Leconfield
A member of Patterdale MRT was driving over Kirkstone, going home after a lengthy rescue, when he spotted lights high on the crag in a similar location to the previous incident. He reported them to us and we went to investigate.
Lights were spotted, stationary, high on the crag above Kirkstone Pass. They didn't move for a long time and it was reported that shouts for help were heard.
Lights were reported, stationary for about 2 hours, high on Bowfell. We went to investigate, and found that after observation, the lights reached the summit and started to make their way down The Band. We left at that point, satisfied that the owners of the lights would be able to look after themselves from this point.
A male climber sustained a suspected lower leg fracture. In a determined attempt to get down, his climbing partner assisted him a significant distance, before the pain became too much. The team found him at the base of Rossett Ghyll and stretchered him from there. His perseverance is to be applauded. They were experienced and well equipped.
