The team were alerted by North Yorkshire Police to two walkers who were ‘stuck’ on the summit of Ingleborough. Although uninjured, the two (F, 30 and M, 37) were reported to be very cold and on very steep, icy ground. Whilst the team mobilised, on what was a particulary horrible night weatherwise with gale force winds, freezing temperatures and driving rain, our controller made enquiries with colleagues at HM Coastguard to request helicopter assistance. A helicopter was despatched but due to the high winds and lack of visibility they found they were unable to land on or near the site. After a long walk in our members located the walkers who, by now, were extremely cold and suffering from hypothermia. We very quickly set about treating the walkers by rewarming and giving them some food and drink. Due to their condition, and one reporting an ankle injury, it was not possible to walk them off and so we had to form two stretcher parties to carry them off. Our members were supported by colleagues from Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, who were thankfully nearby. A long and difficult descent from the summit plateau followed and eventually we were able to get the casualties into our All Terrain Vehicle and drive them down to waiting ambulances. The walkers had warmed up considerably by this time and were in much better spirits. We handed over their care to colleagues from Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
This was a very difficult, challenging rescue on a night which, all our members agreed, was not one to be out in. The walkers fortunately escaped without serious injury, but the outcome could have been very different. Whilst the Dales are not remote mountains, in the current weather our hills can be deadly without proper gear, knowledge and experience. Check the weather and venture out safely.
We are grateful to colleagues at HMCG, YAS and UWFRA for their assistance.
Volunteer hours: 170