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Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team records busiest year ever

Summarised from 4 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 06:00 · Archive

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team in the Lake District has recorded its busiest year, reaching 169 callouts by November 13. This surpasses the team's previous annual record of 168 callouts set in 2024, achieved with seven weeks still remaining in the year. The figure represents a 16 per cent increase compared to the same point in 2025, when 146 callouts had been recorded.

The team has logged 6,729 volunteer hours so far this year. July and August were the busiest months, with 28 callouts each. By comparison, the team responded to 23 incidents in July 2025 and 19 in August 2025.

The increased demand has stretched resources. Assistant team leader Chad Dixon said the team has needed support from Duddon MRT in 15 per cent of its deployments. He described the year as challenging, noting that the team has received a high number of injury callouts alongside an increase in lost walkers, which now form the bulk of their work.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: 'A huge thank you to all of them for their time and hard work. We also want to thank their families, partners and employers, who keep supporting them through the missed meals, late nights and early starts.'

Dixon attributed some of the increased demand to Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain at nearly 980 metres. He said walkers regard it as 'the trophy hill' and travel from far and wide to climb it, sometimes pressing ahead despite deteriorating weather. The rescue team is currently asking for donations. Meanwhile, the charity's yearly operating costs, which include rent, equipment and fuel, have risen by £25,000 over four years.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team records busiest year ever
Image: News & Star

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How it is being reported

In this story: Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team · Lake District · Great Gable · Scafell Pike · Chad Dixon · Duddon MRT · Cumbria Police · Seathwaite

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