Penrith Mountain Rescue Team

 

Welcome!

You have arrived at our web site that is maintained to provide you with a real insight in to what we do. You will not only find information on all our call outs, but also background on us, out kit and how we go about things.

We have been going for 53 years; previously local villages and the young men dealt with any problems on the surrounding fells from Penrith YMCA!

There are 40 of us and there is always a small waiting list. If you are considering joining us, spend some time looking at this site. Then if you think you have something to offer, we are very happy to meet and advise you before you complete our application form.

You may prefer to give in other ways. Like all MRT’s in England and Wales we rely totally on donations, subscriptions, sponsorships and bequests. If you would like to offer your support, then you will find both our donation form and contacts on this site.

PMRT covers the largest geographic area of any of the Lakes District Mountain Rescue Teams. Our area stretches from the Scottish Border in the North to the Northumberland Border in the East, down the North Pennines to High Cup Nick above Dufton in the South, with the North-eastern fells of the Lake District (Haweswater) making up our Western boundary. We have great neighbours from adjoining MRT’s and often we find ourselves working alongside them as we assist them or they assist us.

 

 

Area Covered

Click on the green rectangles to see photos of the fantastic locations within our area.

Record Number of Callouts in one day for Penrith Team.

Penrith Mountain Rescue Team doubled its number of callouts this year when it had four callouts on Sunday 6th May. The Team was Swift Water Rescue training on the Eden when it was put on standby to assist Patterdale MRT in a search for a missing Coast to Coast walker. Meanwhile the Team was called out by the Police to assist a male walker in his late fifties who was suffering from chest pains on Mardale Ill Bell near Haweswater. The Team responded immediately and set off for Mardale Head. The Great North Air Ambulance was also tasked and was able to land near the casualty and evacuate them to the hospital at Carlisle. Sixteen Team members were involved for two hours.

The Team now focussed on assisting Patterdale MRT by searching the Coast to Coast route in the Mardale and Haweswater area. Team members had just deployed to the hill, when they were stood down as the walker had been located. Thirteen members were involved for three hours.

Some Team members were just sitting down to their evening meal when the pagers went off again as the Team was called out to Mardale Head to search for a despondent female from the North East. A Police helicopter from Cleveland was also assisting. Search dogs were called out and a RAF Sea King was requested. Acting on information received, a group of Team members was dispatched to Small Water, whilst other member searched various areas around Mardale Head. A further party was airlifted by the Police to assist in searching the Small Water area. Team members found the missing female at Nan Bield Pass; she was very anxious and distressed but otherwise okay. A Sea King from RAF Boulmer was able to land nearby and a Team member accompanied the lady to hospital at Carlisle. Seventeen members were involved for five hours.

Whilst the last incident was taking place, one of the groups of Team members searching the shoreline of Haweswater came across a party doing the Coast to Coast who reported one of their group was close to Kidsty Pike and suffering with a knee injury. A small number of Team members were re-tasked to this incident. An RAF MRT was also in the area and tasked to assist. The gentleman was walked from the fell to Mardale Head. Three members were involved for one hour.

All in all, a busy day for all the mountain rescue volunteers involved and thankfully all incidents had a positive outcome.