Latest Incident: 10/12/24 The Team's Canoe section were deployed to search the river Tees as part of the continued search for the missing female from Darlington. Three paddlers... More details
8th January 2012 WALKERS LOST OVERNIGHT ON PENNINES
Teesdale & Weardale Search & Mountain Rescue Team were involved today in the rescue of two walkers lost overnight on the Pennines in County Durham.
The middle aged couple from Cumbria had set off to walk from Kirkland near Appleby yesterday with the intention of climbing the highest mountain in the Pennines, Cross Fell. On reaching the summit they became disorientated and lost their way because of the bad weather. They managed at some stage during the night to find a footpath that leads down Trout Beck towards Cow Green reservoir. This path is in the opposite direction from their start point. In the late evening they came across Moor House, a remote unoccupied building on the eastern slopes of Great Dun Fell where they sheltered until it got light. They were still unsure of the way to safety but finally managed to get a mobile phone signal and contacted Durham Police who contacted the Mountain Rescue Team around lunch time today (Sunday).
Chris Roberts Team Leader of the Teesdale & Weardale Team said "because we knew the location of the couple it was a relatively simple task to send I vehicle to Moor House to pick them up. When I arrived they were cold and very tired but very relived to see us. They were transported to Garrigill to be checked over by the Ambulance Service. The weather even this morning was not good with driving rain and very limited visibility. The couple had done this walk many times and were well equipped but for some reason this time did not take a map and compass with them."
TWSMRT would like to pass on the following tips to all walkers:
Before you set out get a mountain weather forecast, there are a number available on the Internet
Always let someone know your intended route and what time you will be due back
Fully charge your mobile phone before you leave but remember phone coverage is limited in some mountainous areas
Be properly equipped with waterproofs, hat, gloves, spare clothing and take plenty of food and drink
Have a map and compass and know how to use them
Have a bivvy bag or group shelter in your rucksack in case of emergencies
Always carry a head torch and spare batteries just in case you are delayed and it turns dark
Steve Owers
Press Officer
07876 132030
08/01/12 1700 hrs
Notes For Editor Teesdale
& Weardale Search & Mountain Rescue Team are affiliated to the "Mountain
Rescue - England and Wales". We provide a Search and Rescue service throughout
County Durham and beyond primarily for the Police but also for the other emergency
services. All Team members are volunteers and we rely on monies raised by ourselves
as a registered charity to run the Team. Further details regarding our latest
callouts and Team information can be found on our website www.twsmrt.org.uk
