Penrith Mountain Rescue Team

Callout 7

Callout

The team were called by Cumbria police to a lone walker reporting themselves lost, cold, and wet. Cumbria police had provided a location using phone find technology, however the team was unable to establish contact. Team members local to Mardale Head formed an advance party and set off in search of the individual, while the rest of the team were travelling to Mardale Head. Fortunately the advance party met the individual, who had split from their group, and headed down towards the valley which led them towards Haweswater, when their dog was showing signs of struggling with the conditions. They were walked back to Mardale Head and provided a warm drink and snacks before being transported back to Penrith to be collected by their friends. If you're taking your furry friends out in the fells it's important to remember: If you're getting cold, wet, and hungry, they will be too. So don't forget to pack them a coat and some food too. Penrith MRT is a volunteer organisation and is funded by your generous donations. If you can support us donate here: https://penrithmrt.org.uk/donate

15 February 2026

Winter training 2026

News Article

Plenty of snow and a cold south-easterly wind awaited the Team for our Caringorms training in the techniques and skills required to rescue in full-on winter conditions. Saturday was spent working in groups with professional winter mountaineering instructors, refreshing safe movement on steep snow-covered ground and practising snow belaying techniques. On Sunday we tackled two scenarios. The first involved a search, following an avalanche, for buried items utilising transceivers and probes, and once located safey digging out with shovels. The second involved lowering a casualty in a stretcher down a snow slope using in turn both twin rope and back rope systems, and utilising a variety of snow anchors. Note the line of bucket seats down the slope! A great weekend: we trained hard, and after hours played hard! A big thank you to the three wonderful Friends of the Team, who catered for us royally over the weekend. And to Cranstons Butcher + Maker for support with provisions. Thanks also to Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team for covering our patch whilst most of us were out of area.

7 February 2026

Changed Plan for Mountain Rescue Teams’ New Base

News Article

Penrith Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) and Cumbria Ore Mines Rescue Unit (COMRU) have issued the following update on progress with their proposed new Rescue Base at Eden Business Park, Gilwilly, Penrith. ‘Following a detailed review of the operational needs of both teams, along with input from the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association (LDSAMRA), we have taken the decision to split the teams’ builds into two separate projects. This has the advantage for Penrith MRT that the building can be significantly smaller, not having to accommodate so many or such large vehicles. The smaller building will be cheaper and should be able to be delivered significantly quicker. COMRU’s requirements from a base are simpler than those of Penrith MRT: essentially a large garage and a dedicated building should be able to meet these needs more effectively. It is possible that such a building could be accommodated on the Penrith Team’s Gilwilly site. Penrith MRT is now reviewing design implications and the potential impact of this decision on its current planning approval. Penrith MRT Chair John Carlin said “This has been a difficult decision but we believe we now have a plan that will be quicker and more effective to execute for both teams. The big fund-raising effort really starts now so that we can continue to provide an effective rescue service for the local community and visitors to the area.” COMRU Chair Paul Witheridge said “One of the strengths of volunteer rescue teams is their ability to recognise difficulty in a changing landscape and rapidly and effectively adapt plans to overcome that difficulty. Our plans to work alongside Penrith MRT to gain base facilities for COMRU have regrettably been forced to change. Increasing costs and an extending timescale required a revision of the project; and it was agreed by both teams that for either organisation to move forward positively it would be best to treat each teams needs separately. We continue to work alongside Penrith MRT to maximise any future opportunities that could be of mutual benefit.”’ ENDS Penrith Mountain Rescue Team has 36 members, all of whom are volunteers. They are available 24/7 for 365 days in the year. In 2025 the Team responded to 46 call outs. Its ability to operate relies on donations and fundraising initiatives. The area covered extends from the Far Eastern Fells of the Lake District around Haweswater, across to the North Pennines and Cross Fell, and all the way up to the Scottish border, accounting for about 1600sq miles. It includes the highest points on two of England’s most popular long distance trails, the Coast-to-Coast (Kidsty Pike) and the Pennine Way (Cross Fell). Further information about Penrith MRT is online at https://www.penrithmrt.org.uk/. For further media information and additional images please contact marketing@penrithmrt.org.uk Cumbria Ore Mines Rescue Unit is a specialist team providing assistance to those in difficulty underground. Its remit extends to abandoned mine workings, natural caves, and subterranean man-made structures. It has 35 members, all of whom are volunteers. They are available 24/7 for 365 days in the year. The team is a charity and its ability to operate relies on donations and fundraising initiatives. The area covered is primarily Cumbria and additionally the team provides operational support to adjoining regions including Teesdale, Weardale, County Durham, the Isle of Man, and southern Scotland. For more details on the team visit their website: https://comru.org.uk/ For further media information and additional images please contact secretary@comru.org.uk

1 February 2026

Callout 6

Callout

The team received a call from Cumbria Police from 2 walkers who were unsure of their exact location and at risk of being benighted on the Dufton Fell side of Cow Green reservoir. Unfortunately, due to poor signal we were unable to contact the casualty party to gather further information; eventually we managed to confirm their location using our Phonefind tool as northwest of the reservoir, right in the corner of the team’s area. Due to their location and the quickest means of access to the area we contacted Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team and asked for their support. They made their way to the dam at the south end of the reservoir and approached the party’s location from the south, meanwhile a Penrith hill party in two vehicles were sent to Moorhouse in order to approach from the north. Fortunately, given the bleak winter conditions in the Pennines, our colleagues in TWSMRT team were able to reach the casualty party who were wet and cold but thankfully uninjured. After rewarming and being fed they were walked back to TWSMRT’s vehicles and driven back to their car. A massive thank you to Teesdale team for their support and hard work on this job. This callout again highlighted the importance of inter-team working, which was reinforced by the fact this was our eighth consecutive callout working with other teams. BE #AdventureSmart Ask yourself 3 questions before you set off: – Am I confident I have the KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS for the day? – Do I know what the WEATHER will be like? – Do I have the right GEAR?

29 January 2026

Callout 5

Callout

The team was called by Duddon and Mountain Rescue Team to support in the search for a vulnerable missing person. A small group was sent down initially with others making arrangements to attend in the afternoon. As the team were enroute it was confirmed that the individual had been found safe and well.

28 January 2026

Callout 4

Callout

The team were contacted by Keswick MRT requesting assistance with the rescue of a 74 year old man who had fallen a considerable distance down Central Gully on Great End. Penrith team members helped with carrying kit up to the base of the crag whilst Keswick team members were rigging the top of the gully to lower team members to the casualty's location. Once they had got to the casualty's location they were able lower him down out of the gulley to the awaiting party of Penrith and Keswick team members. Despite being understandably shaken by the ordeal he was miraculously able to walk off the fellside with assistance from Penrith MR members. This thankfully avoided the need for a lengthy stretcher carry, much to the relief of both teams. We would like to extend our considerable gratitude to the Keswick team for inviting us back to their base for pizza and a much needed brew after what had been a very long evening in the fells.

17 January 2026