Mou Ca R evi ve e w ntai of Re t h e n in sc ue E ngl y ear and a and nd Wal es

Published April 2 01 5. Suggested Donation: £2 Foreword 02 HRH The Duke of Cambridge . e c a l a P n o t g n i s n e K f o y s e t r u o c e g d i r b m a C f o e k u D e h T H R H : p o T . T R M e l a d e l a w S © k r o w t a s e l c i h e v e l a d e l a w S : t o h s n i a 03 M 04

Being a totally voluntary organisation coming to an end and, as from April is very important to everybody involved 2015, search and rescue helicopters in mountain rescue and we all work for the United Kingdom will be hard to protect and continue this. provided by Bristow. Mountain rescue Each member joins to get out on has spent hundreds of hours with an the hill and help fellow walkers and intensive training programme getting climbers if they get into difficulties. But, up to speed with the new aircraft. at team level, a s the organisation There are many recent changes in changes, as much time can be spent all aspects of our work. As recognition doing administration to run the team of the work carried out by mountain Requests for assistance and training to maintain skills, as is spent rescue, the Government is offering VAT from mountain and cave out on the hill. relief which will be a great help to rescue continue to rise. At national level, many of the many teams. The support for training management team and specialist through Libor funding (bankers fines) And financial constraints officers spend huge chunks of the enables the continuation of training to on statutory services week doing administration, driving the high standard expected. To provide mean that supporting the around the country to meetings with the service expected of us, costs both Ambulance Service government, statutory services and teams and the national body more during winter months has potential funders, just to keep the money than can be raised from ‘can organisation running. It is becoming rattling’. These offers of support have become the ‘norm’ for clear that, certainly at national level, to be welcomed, even by a voluntary many teams. Despite the volunteers are needed for their specific organisation. reduction in police air business skills and this could mean The outdoors has become easier to support and the loss of that in the future some roles may be access with better clothing, electronic undertaken by people without a mapping and apps on mobile phones. the immediate search mountain rescue background. However, it is important not to lose sight facility, for people lost or The organisation is going through a of the fact that some personal skills injured in the moorlands lot of change to satisfy governance are also needed because, no matter and mountains, or stipulations but the main role of search how well planned, it can still go wrong. and rescue remains the same. Despite all today’s challenges of despondents missing in One of the big changes to be running a totally voluntary but urban areas of England aware of, when out and about in the professional organisation, the free and Wales, mountain mountains and moorlands, will be the insurance for all is that a mountain rescue will always be red and white Bristow helicopters. The rescue team is never far away to excellent service provided by both the come to your assistance. there for them. Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy is

05 Main shot: Care amongst the bluebells. Calder Valley team members at Hardcastle Crags © Mountain and Cave Awareness Princes’ Charities Forum Day: Hanners www.hanrahanphotography.co.uk. Weekend: This annual event takes place 26/27 June: This MREW event is hosted Inset: Keswick team call-out to Carlside © Keswick across England and Wales every May Bank by North Wales this year, with young people MRT. Top: Getting to know the new helicopters Chairman Holiday weekend – a great opportunity to and families from WellChild, Child © Simeon Leech. get to know and support your local team. Bereavement and Centrepoint charities Front cover: Woodland rescue © Calder Valley SRT. joining in the fun.

The Annual Review is designed by Judy Whiteside, written and edited by Judy Whiteside and Sally Mike France Seed, with contributions attributed where applicable. Key Dates Copyright for images belongs to the individual photographer as credited. Equipping a team member: the c ost s

Teams work hard to raise sufficient funds to provide the We can’t do any of it necessary fit-for-purpose kit for their members, including This year’s facts without your help... warm, waterproof clothing, comms equipment, bigger 06 Mountain and cave rescue, whether it’s at team or items such as vehicles, and regional level or nationally, simply couldn’t continue as their rescue base buildings. That said, the majority of team and figures the voluntary service it is, without the generosity of the members wear and carry a public and our various sponsors, and the continued combination of essentials support of key manufacturers and suppliers. supplied by their team, and their own gear. The decrease in the four key measures of mountain Each of our team members gives Bear in mind that team incidents has continued for a fourth year, although the many hours of their time to help their members must be prepared communities and those in need. They do to be out there for many hours number of fatalities has risen again – albeit not to the it without question. They do it voluntarily. — or may be called to two or previous high – as has the total of people assisted. When the pager calls, they’re off, often three incidents within the same regardless of what they’re doing or who day, often in dreadful they’re doing it with. Speak to any child, conditions. Mountain spouse or workmate of any mountain And with the clothing (and rescuer and the stories are the same — spares), the rucksack full of Despite the continuing downward scrambling incidents. It seems inevitable children’s birthdays, anniversary suppers, personal first aid kit, maps and trend, however, in the third quarter (July that the continuing popularity of mountain Christmas dinners, copy deadlines, compass, torch, headlamp to September) of 2014, the total number biking as a sport will ensure that this business meetings... abandoned in an and batteries, notepad and of incidents was the highest on record. number of accidents will be seen for instant. pen, radio, pager and mobile A mild and settled start to the year years to come and may well increase. And they also put in hundreds more phone, the grand total for produced fewer incidents. Likewise, the This year has seen a significant hours, tending to rescue kit and team each team member is not far end of the year was quiet. increase in incidents involving fell runners vehicles, making sure the bills are paid shy of £2000 — which we think In spite of the annual figure being — a 35% increase over the 2013 level and fulfilling paperwork, maintaining you’ll agree is a huge low, this masks a dramatic spike in the which was fairly high in its own right readiness for the next shout. commitment in personal and summer months. compared to the previous three years. Yet, despite all this, they still need to team finances. The year saw a welcome reduction in The nature of the sport, being light- put in thousands of hours just to raise mountain bike incidents but these still weight and solitary, means the level of sufficient funds to keep their teams in exceed rock climbing incidents and risk is considerably higher than hill walking. operation — collection boxes, raffles, events, personal challenges... even more time away from work and home. All of this is free of charge to the casualty. And our team members’ time A summary of the last five years’ mountain incidents and is given freely too — and long may that accidents in England and Wales. be so. So we’d like to say ‘thank you’ to Langdale Ambleside rescue in Far Easdale all our supporters, sponsors and fundraisers Year Incidents Fatalities Injured Persons © Langdale Ambleside MRT. assisted — we couldn’t do it without you! 2014 1043 29 640 1281 Stay safe, and thank you. 2013 1011 22 624 1179 2012 1073 30 632 1292 20 11 1078 33 671 1318 Non-mountain 20 10 111 8 53 658 1394 How can you support us ? All regions report a large commitment to searching for missing persons. These There are also a number of ways you — even a small gift can make a big sponsorship. You’ll be providing funds A summary of the last five years’ non-mountain incidents and are often protracted, often over multiple can support nationally. difference. And it’s the surest way to and raising awareness. It might seem fund the equipment and training for the daunting but, with lots of enthusiasm, accidents in England and Wales. days and all demand good cooperation Read our books or buy your years to come as gifts are exempt from commitment and support, you will find Year Incidents Fatalities Injured Persons between the agencies involved. very own miniature Land Rover. inheritance tax, capital gains tax and the experience enjoyable and very assisted The support provided by mountain Or a teddy or a badge, or a car sticker. 07 income tax, so the charity receives the rewarding. 2014 398 29 87 289 rescue to the ambulance service has Whatever takes your fancy. Or join full value of your bequest. 2013 460 43 75 274 been a significant part of the workload in Basecamp — the simplest way to Watch our new Mountain 2012 445 47 114 300 recent years and this year has been no support all the teams. You can even Give securely online through Rescue Film 15 (YouTube link TO 20 11 472 52 108 323 exception. add a donation with the Platinum, Gold, mountain.rescue.org.uk/giving/online- BE ADDED) — then show your support 20 10 710 44 118 335 Many teams report being ‘stood down Silver and Bronze options. For details, go donations. with a donation. Just text RESQ41, while responding’ but would rather this to mountain.rescue.org.uk/shop. followed by the amount you want to give, Organise an event in aid of situation than one where they could to 70070. Then share the link. Thank you! have contributed significantly but were Leave a legacy. A gift to us in Mountain Rescue England and never alerted. your Will allows you to support our future Wales or join an existing one and raise Representatives of mountain rescue sit alongside those Mountain rescue: from BAFTA (the British Academy of Film and Television Arts) at meetings of the Princes’ Charities Forum. So it 08 was no surprise that a film about mountain rescue had been a discussion point at those meetings and former the movie chairman, David Allan, was keen to make this happen.

Taking that germ of an idea and different locations with various mountain and much needed cash for mountain creating a useful communication tool rescue teams,’ says Dave. ‘The rescue nationally. But I also hope it will took many months of planning and schedule included a huge amount of help us explain the range of what we’re development. negotiation and liaison with what seemed trained to do, the skills and expertise we ‘We knew we needed to keep to a like hundreds of people. We wanted to have and how we might be able to use couple of strong but simple messages,’ show the changing seasons as well as those skills to help in other situations too.’ says Judy Whiteside, editor of Mountain the broad nature of incidents and As this annual review goes to press, Rescue Magazine and one of those environments. In all, there were about the finished film is being seen across involved early in the project. twenty days of filming in all weathers — the country after its launch on Thursday ‘We wanted to show real rescuers, all to create just over six minutes. 2 April, just ahead of Easter. reacting to a wide range of realistic ‘Some scenes were shot using a drone ‘I think we’ve created something that situations and we wanted to emphasise and we also edited in some actual will really reinforce the value of our that they are all volunteers, on call footage from winter and underground volunteer service and also make it clear every day of the year, by showing them rescues. The music was composed that we rely on public support,’ says being called away from work, family specially for the film by Miles Hancock Judy. ‘That’s what we set out to do from commitments and sleep! and the finishing touch came when the very beginning of the project and ‘Sounds quite simple, but we also Broadchurch actor Matthew Gravelle it’s going to be exciting watching that wanted to create something that would agreed to record the voiceover. message as it spreads in the coming . d e

t have a fundraising as well as an ‘It was important that we had the months.’ i m i educational impact.’ voiceover in both English and Welsh. You can see the finished ‘Mountain L s o

i The process kicked off in late 20 13, Welsh-born Matthew was perfect for the Rescue Film 15’ online at youtube link d u t when Dave Freeborn and Judy set about part and able to record both versions,’ and it’s easy to make a donation. S

m scripting and storyboarding a number says Judy. Just text RESQ41, followed by the o c s

i of scenarios for the film. A member and All the team members involved with amount you want to give, to 70070. V

© ex-team leader of Patterdale MRT, Dave the filming were incredibly enthusiastic Or donate via our Mountain Rescue s p

i has been involved in mountain rescue and keen to make this work, despite Film 15 Appeal page at justgiving.com/ l c for over thirty years. In his ‘day-job’ he is already volunteering so much of their mountainrescuefilm 15. m l i f

d a professional film and documentary time to mountain rescue. And please support us by sharing the n a maker and a member of the Institute of ‘This is the first film of this nature the link to the film with your friends and s l l i t

S Videographers. Along with Judy’s national body has ever produced, so it family on social media and help to . t f

e creative background as a TV storyboard was an exciting project to work on,’ adds spread the word. l p

o artist, it was the ideal skill set. Dave. ‘I’m sure it will all prove worth it, t d

e ‘As creative people who feel as and help raise both public awareness r u t

a passionately about mountain rescue as e f

n our professional lives, this was a great r o b

e opportunity to produce an emotional, e r

F powerful and creative piece of work — e v

a and hopefully inspire people to share D r

e our passion and donate!’ explains Judy. k a From their original script, screenwriter m m

l Nick Green was able to craft a i f h t i screenplay. Meanwhile, Dave had 09 w

, started putting together a film schedule e i v

o and network of partners, including m

a fellow filmmaker and co-director, John f o Hamlett, to help capture the story. g n i

k ‘We filmed at more than twelve a m e h T The shap e of helicopter rescue is changing. Before long, Getting to know the ‘big yellow budgie’ will no longer be a familiar sight to rescuers and their casualties. From April, the service 10 will be operated by Bristow, wearing the distinctive red and white livery of the HM Coastguard. A small group has the new helicopter been working at national level to ensure team members are fully prepared for this brave new world.

This work has mostly been done with aircrew and management of the G the Maritime Coastguard Agency and winch hook. Bristow, in conjunction with Scottish Stage 1B involves a cabin briefing O Mountain Rescue and the Association with the aircraft on the ground. The RESCUED MEN RELIEVED L of Chief Police Officers. The start of a focus is on those team members most

TO HEAR THERE WAS ‘NO t brand new partnership, with newly- likely to fly during operations and

launched aircraft operating out of new includes familiarisation with the cabin, CHARGE’: NOVEMBER n

locations, was a real opportunity for safety and emergency procedures, e

mountain rescue to review every and management of the hook and The two men, from eastern Europe, d aspect of helicopter operations – from any loads. Team members will be had been brought down to safety from i

initial aircraft familiarisation, through expected to complete this stage of Tryfan after getting stuck in darkness. c

staged training to actual rescues. training every two to three years. The Ogwen team was called out after n With the new service due to start in Stage 1C focuses on training in winch the lights from the men’s mobile I April 2015, phased through to January operations and is intended for those phones were spotted moving on the 2016, time has been of the essence to who are likely to be winched into and mountain. The men had spent a day ensure a structured, national training out of the aircraft. in North Wales, visiting Llandudno model was in place and underway, Training with the Humberside S-92 and Conwy Castle before heading for particularly for those teams whose aircraft is now well underway, further the mountains. They saw Tryfan, casualties are most likely to require informing the future development of checked the OS map on their phone helicopter evacuation by means of both training provision and working and concluded that the summit was stretcher winch. procedures, whilst also developing the only a short distance from the A5, so The agreed model is very similar to vital working relationships with the new off they ventured, up the rocky North the one most teams are already familiar Bristow crews. with. Broken down into three clearly- Working with differently-appointed Ridge. defined stages, it is closely aligned to aircraft has also meant ensuring the Unlike many European mountain the different levels of interaction teams stretchers employed by teams across walks, the way to the summit of Tryfan have with the military SAR-H aircraft. England and Wales are suitable for is not marked with painted rocks or Stage 1A, an online resource backed purpose. A three-month trial is currently signposts. By the time they reached by DVD, introduces team members to underway looking at the options the towering wall of the North Tower, the aircraft. Intended for those most available, including the Tyromont it was mid-afternoon. Wisely, they likely to operate in close proximity to Helicopter Rescue Bag, which winches decided to return down the ridge but, helicopters, this resource deals with the casualty rather than the stretcher. with the onset of darkness, lost any operational hazards such as safety Meanwhile, our old friend the Sea sort of path. They tried in vain, going distances, downwash and noise, as King continues to fly, set to grace our up and down using the lights on their well as radio communication with the skylines well into 2 01 6 in some areas. phones, which were seen and reported to North Wales Police. Fortunately for them, the two young men were easily located on difficult ground above the Milestone Buttress and brought back to the safety of the A5. ‘They were embarrassed by the 11 incident and concerned about how much it was going to cost,’ said Chris Lloyd. ‘There was a look of relief when it was explained that not only do we have free access to much of our countryside, but rescue is free too!’

Images: Helicopter training © Keswick MRT. G O L t On 3 December 2 014, the Chancellor of the Exchequer PENSIONERS SPARK n

stood up in Parliament and, as part of his Autumn MULTI-AGENCY e

Statement, announced that a range of search and RESPONSE TO DISUSED d 12 rescue charities, including Mountain Rescue England i

MINESHAFT IN TAL Y c and Wales (MREW) and mountain and cave rescue

BONT: DECEMBER n

teams across the country, would be able to claim I refunds on VAT with effect from April 2015. The two men, in their seventies, had to be rescued after one of them got into difficulty trying to exit the mine. In response to the Chancellor’s Cardiff and the House of Commons The pair had been part of a group announcement, Mike France, chairman where MREW representatives met with conducting a geology survey at the of Mountain Rescue England and MPs, Welsh Assembly members and disused Bwlch Glas mine. Wales, said, ‘It is great to have the others in government to tell the story of Mid and West Wales Fire Service recognition in central government of volunteer rescue and make the case was called initially and sent two crews the valuable work done by volunteer for central support. from Aberystwyth and one from rescue services and also of the Since the announcement, members Machynlleth, with Aberdyfi SRT alerted generosity of our many supporters. of the MREW management committee by Dyfed Powys Police soon after. The ‘This issue of financial support has and finance officers in 50 or more local team was tasked with stretchering the been under discussion for a long time teams have been keen to find out how casualties from the pithead over steep and there have been various options the system will work, how administration and broken ground to the waiting and mechanisms in place at a national can be kept to a minimum and also ambulances, once they had been level that have been a great support to how this income can be used as fairly brought to the surface. the teams and the national body. as possible to support teams of different Equipment was put in place on the ‘The latest announcement looks even sizes and incomes. hillside in anticipation of their arrival more encouraging as it is written into ‘We’ve now met with Treasury and but, as the night wore on, the casualties the VAT rules and open-ended, whereas HMRC officials,’ says Penny Brockman, were sufficiently recuperated to take previous support has had no guarantees MREW finance director, ‘and, once the an active role in their own rescue of continuity. It is good news for mountain legislation and process is agreed, underground and walked of the hill rescue and should mean that money there’ll be guidelines to make claiming unassisted once on the surface. donated by the public can be used in as straightforward as possible for team Nevertheless, it was the early hours of full for the purpose it was intended. treasurers.’ Sunday morning before team members MREW and British Cave Rescue were back in the comfort of their homes. It’s good news Council worked closely with the RNLI, One member of the casualty party the United Kingdom Search and later posted an account of the incident for mountain rescue Rescue Volunteers Working Group and on a mine exploration forum, stating and should mean the Charity Tax Group to achieve this that the casualty had been unable to that money donated result. It will benefit all charities that carry get himself out of the mine due to a out search and rescue operations and sudden loss of energy. by the public can be therefore all the people they assist. used in full for the ‘It was a strength matter – one of us lost all strength and energy suddenly purpose intended. Main photo: Langdale Ambleside MRT and simply could not climb back up © Paul Burke/Langdale Ambleside MRT. the rope.’

‘The change also means we will be treated similarly for VAT as the emergency services we work alongside, such as the police and fire and rescue service.’ The announcement came after several years of lobbying and advocacy and, in 2012 and 20 13, successful events at the Senedd in 13 Good news for teams

A small fraction of the resources from the Chancellor on hand © Aberdyfi SRT. When the Tour de France came to Yorkshire, team members from sixteen mountain and cave rescue teams across Yorkshire, the Peak District, Lancashire and Cumbria 14 – and even Ireland – worked together to help ensure spectator safety for one of the biggest crowds ever seen in the area. Derek Holland, of the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association takes up the story.

‘News that the 20 14 Grand Depart MRT deployed to Buttertubs, with the them in cycling shoes) on the steep would start in Leeds was greeted with Cleveland team moving into Wathgill banks and rocky outcrops along the mild indifference initially (other than by camp to support them. Calder Valley route but there were just a few minor cycling enthusiasts) but then we realised SRT based two vehicles in Skipton and injuries to patch up. that nearly fifty miles of the route on Upper Wharfedale FRA had one vehicle ‘All in all, it was fantastic to be part of Day 1 and twenty miles on Day 2 would in Grassington and one in Buckden, the such a huge event for Yorkshire and the pass through our operational area. latter supported by Scarborough and north of England. There were just a From then on, things got busy. Ryedale SRT. couple of significant injuries to the public ‘Our involvement — and that of other ‘On Saturday, the sun shone, the crowds and e verything went pretty much as rescue teams — beg an in 2013 with were out in force and the atmosphere anticipated. We had plenty of opportunity multi-agency planning meetings and a was fantastic. The race came through to meet the public and talk about our rapid understanding of the scale of the and was gone very quickly and, as work — and we got to show off our challenge. Organisers were anticipating soon as the last Tour vehicles had amazing landscape to over a million more than one million spectators on each passed, cyclists and spectators started people.’ of the days, many of them watching to head home. It took nearly two hours from along country roads out in the Dales before the stream of cyclists on the and planning to stay for the weekend. pass started to thin out. Main shot: The peloton passes through © Owen Phillips/Holme Valley MRT. Inset: Team members ‘With the road closures and restricted ‘On Sunday, we were based near Kex training at Buttertubs, ahead of the Tour. access associated with the event, rescue Gill, also known as the ‘Cote de Top right: Scarborough team members ‘on duty’ teams had to plan their deployment Blubberhouses’ for the Tour. We were very during the race © Sara Spillet/Upper Wharfedale. very carefully. For instance, Swaledale aware of the risk to spectators (many of Below: Awards certificates on display. G

O NORTH YORKSHIRE THANK YOUS: OCTOBER L One night in October, North Yorkshire Police hosted a gathering of the rescue services from across North Yorkshire for an

t evening of thank yous. The venue was the new Tennant’s Auction Centre in Leyburn and PC Jon Rushton from North Yorkshire

n Police, as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for the teams, organised the event.

e A surprise element of the evening was a donation of £4000 to each of five teams from the North Yorkshire Police charity fund: £1000 as a specific thank you for their support during the Tour de France events and a £3000 contribution to funds. d

i ‘The donation to each team was a surprise,’ confirmed Ian Hugill, a member of the Scarborough and Ryedale MRT. ‘We’ve

c held four of these dinners in the past and the thanks and recognition from the North Yorkshire Police has been much appreciated as well as all the practical support that we get.’ n

I ‘All five teams – Cave Rescue Organisation, Cleveland, Scarborough and Ryedale, Swaledale and Upper Wharfedale – were represented at the glittering dinner and, as well as presentations to each team, Mr Barry Dodd, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire also presented five awards to individual members. He commented, ‘It makes me feel very humble to hear about the commitment and hours put in by rescue volunteers. It is hard not to be impressed when you hear about people with twenty, thirty or more years of such service.’ That commitment was perhaps summed up best by Chief Constable Dave Jones, who went on to describe rescuers as ‘modern day heroes who walk towards harm.’ 15 Yorkshire in the spotlight Prior to 1964, rescues were carried out by ad hoc groups, but none were equipped to deal with a series of fatal events. The first ended with the death of two children, 16 missing from Glossop and found five days later. The second saw two climbers killed in an avalanche. But it was the third, when three Rover Scouts died during the Four Inns Walk, that proved the catalyst to change.

The Four Inns Walk was used by many stronger, with heavy showers and cold picture of what was going on and then walking clubs as an initiation test. Then, in forcing most competitors to consider control the situation. Some recalled 1957, it was adapted into a competitive retirement at the Snake Inn. searching areas they had visited already. hike for Rover Scouts. The original route Clothing wasn’t as advanced then as People were entering and leaving the was some 50 miles long. Starting out at now. There were no breathable fabrics, search at will or doing their own search. the site of the Isle of Skye Inn, the route no fleeces, ‘waterproofs’ were barely Immediately afterwards, the County showerproof. Hypothermia was little Commissioner for Derbyshire set up a understood. And, inevitably, poor clothing, committee of enquiry. Jack Longland, poor weather and poor navigation skills BMC president, would chair. Drawing led many into trouble. An unconscious lessons from the events of the 1964 Four competitor was found by a sheepfold, Inns Walk, the committee published his rescuers having to cross waist-deep their report in August. river to recover him. One of the rescuers Amongst many of their points were was injured when he fell 30 feet down a some that seem obvious to us today. bank whilst helping another casualty, Competitors should be better clothed who later died. Two more competitors and equipped, and better informed were reported missing. about hypothermia. And they recognised As the weather deteriorated further, that rescuers should be able to respond heavy snow began to fall, bringing the quickly enough to save life, drawing on rescue effort to a temporary halt. Through Saturday night, the organisers checked for accurate information about those The word ‘chaos’ still missing — hampered by the confusion perhaps best describes of so many dropping out along the route. the events of those When daylight broke, a major search few intense days... was launched but, by the end of the day there were still two people missing. By Monday morning, snow lay deeper sufficient resources to meet the needs than two feet in places. Later, as dusk of a major incident. fell, and just as the search was called A meeting at Whitehall Outdoor Pursuits off for the night, the body of the second Centre, about the provision of mountain went via Black Hill to a checkpoint by the casualty was found face up in a stream, rescue in the Peak District, agreed on an Holme Moss TV mast and on over the above a waterfall. Then, on the Tuesday, efficient call-out system, largely based moors to the Flouch Inn, at the cross- a police officer saw a torch lying in a on that used in the Lake District, and a roads of the A61 6 and A628 on the stream and found a body face down in search control panel was elected. Thus, edges of Langsett and Thurlstone moors. Nether Reddale Clough. As many as the foundations of the PDMRO were laid. From here it travelled over Bleaklow to 800 people volunteered over three days, Fifty years on, the organisation goes the Snake Inn, over Kinder Scout to the lining up along the A57 facing up the from strength to strength. There are now 1st Chapel-en-le-Frith scout group HQ. Alport valley. seven teams — Edale, Kinder, Buxton, The final section took teams over the hills The word ‘chaos’ perhaps best Woodhead, Derby, Glossop and into the Goyt valley, across the river and describes the events of those few intense Oldham — and their nineteen vehicles on to the Cat and Fiddle Inn. days, as those involved struggled to are packed with twenty-one stretchers 17 By 1964 it was a national event with cope with enormous problems. The and state-of-the-art medical bags. A rescue cover provided by the Glossop organisers had to care for all the walkers fitting legacy to such early tragedy. Rover Scout Crew. The forecast that day and staff spread across the Peak District. was for ‘showers with fine periods’ with no The lead rescue team was faced with a Main shot: View from Kinder. Inset left: News cuttings from ‘Four Inns Walk. The Story so Far’ by mention of strong winds. The first teams stream of casualties. Communications Robin Knott, published in 200 7, reproduced with Fifty years of set off at 6.00am but quickly found the on the hill were sparse — except for the thanks to Sheffield Telegraph and the British going over Black Hill unbearable. Many RAF who were equipped with radios — so Library Board. Inset centre: Edale team at work retired at Crowden. coordination was difficult. It was almost © Edale MRT . Top right: The Lego MRT © David Peaks rescue About noon, the westerly wind grew impossible for anyone to get an overall O’Sullivan. http: // legomrt.blogspot.co.uk. A MISSING COLLIE AND THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA: NOVEMBER News LOG Wasdale became the focus of media from Carlisle set out from Seathwaite at attention when Border collie Jasper 10.30pm to search the tops, following a became separated from his owner Adam reported sighting. As a dog lover who’d on a descent from Scafell Pike. And, recently lost his own family pet, he didn’t following a call online for help to find want Jasper’s owner to go through the CALENDARS GALORE 18 Jasper, the world literally mobilised into same trauma. So he was motivated to AS BOTH ABERDYFI action with interest from as far afield as go out that night with a pretty foul weather AND KIRKBY STEPHEN New Zealand and the US. forecast and below freezing conditions. Examples of extraordinary kindness Fortunately he found Jasper, at around TEAM MEMBERS RISK included a group getting together to help 2.30am, when his powerful torch beam EXPOSURE TO THE fund bringing in a commercial helicopter reflected in the dog’s eyes. ELEMENTS to search for a day and a young lad who In fact, Jasper was extremely well offered £500 of his grandmother’s legacy hidden, tucked in behind a pile of boulders money towards night vision equipment. on the remote northern edge of Broad Jasper’s owner Adam spent each day Crag and off the beaten track. He was Members of the Aberdyfi team, pictured for one charity to be fundraising for another. stones across the river. Fortunately, the water searching the fells, without success. frightened, hungry, thirsty, exhausted and above, have plenty of experience of the Welsh We kicked the idea around a bit and in the just covered the stones but holding a bicycle Groups of volunteers were coordinated had injured his paws. Coaxing him down We were aware of reports of well over mountains in poor weather. And – like any end decided to give it a go. Like any section whilst wearing expensive lingerie and high by a member of the public with some with food didn’t work. And, with the 500,000 people following the story. To other team – they’re more often to be found of the community, the lives of many team heels required the assistance of the team to difficult ground, with loose, icy boulders, help raise funds for the team, Jasper’s swaddled up in state-of-the-art clothing to members have been touched by cancer, and get everyone into position without getting wet it soon became clear that carrying Jasper owner set up a Justgiving page at the keep themselves warm and dry. So what on we were pleased to be able to do our bit to or cold. None of the ladies got more than wet could end with his rescuer falling and rescue base. Immediately it went live, earth prompted them to bare all in the wind support Macmillan. Responses from team feet! Coincidentally, the BBC Countryfile team getting injured. So, after a great deal of donations began streaming in. and rain? members ranged from ‘Let’s get naked now!’ were filming at Bolton Abbey and the photo soul searching, he called for help. ‘Our expectation of a few thousand It was all down to Rummers, a popular bar to hastily arranged trips out of town, but in shoot appeared on Countryfile in April. ‘The team was called out by Cumbria pounds was overtaken within the first in Aberystwyth, which started raising money the end a hardy handful braved the poor All in a day’s work as they say... Police,’ says Richard Warren, ‘with the hour. By day three we’d hit £20,000. for Macmillan Cancer Support five years weather for this great photo.’ pagers going off at 3.00am, asking for After seven days, the total donated by ago. To date, they have raised over £18,000 Meanwhile, earlier in the year, members of volunteers to bring down an injured dog. over 5,000 kind people had topped with their tasteful calendar nudity but they the swiftwater team at Kirkby Stephen MRT Seven team members were involved, with £51,500 with an additional £11,500 in hope to break the £20,000 mark with their had a job with a difference when they were five on the fell. Gift Aid. There were also donations to 2015 Macmillan Naked Calendar, launched invited to assist with a photoshoot at Bolton ‘On our ascent, an unexpected slip on the team’s own Justgiving page.’ in November. Abbey in Wharfedale. Ladies from the a patch of ice at 750 metres was a timely At the team’s AGM, later in November, Bar owner Huw Roberts said, ‘Each year Cappuccino Cycling Club, based in Harrogate, knowledge of dog behaviour when they realisation that conditions for the carry Wasdale team members welcomed Adam the bar takes on a theme and for 2015 we’re were the stars of a calendar being produced become lost. Wasdale team members down were challenging. Jasper and his and Jasper to their base, where he handed marking the great effort the emergency in support of the National Air Ambulance were asked to join the search but carefully finder were eventually located at 900 over a cheque for £63,000. services provide in the town. We are proud Organisation. declined – although they did offer to metres in difficult weather with low cloud, Chairman John Bamforth pledged that of this year’s calendar and have only Each month’s photograph would feature the pass messages to their team members, poor visibility, high winds, some rain and the ‘truly fantastic sum of money’ would achieved this with the kind support of our ladies at Yorkshire beauty spots with their asking them to look out for Jasper when freezing conditions. be spent wisely, contributing towards staff, customers and friends.’ bicycles and dressed appropriately! This they were out and about. ‘It was only when Jasper and his owner the team’s ongoing new base appeal. Team member Graham O’Hanlon took part particular photograph (right) has the It was on three or four days into the were safely back at base that we began Demonstration, were it ever needed, of in the photoshoot. ‘When Rummers first impressive backdrop of Bolton Abbey with the search when an experienced mountaineer to appreciate the power of social media. the power of social media! contacted us it seemed an unusual concept ladies standing on the famous stepping

MOUNTAIN RESCUERS BRING 40 TO SAFETY IN BLIZZARD AFTER CRASH BLOCKS KIRKSTONE PASS: FEBRUARY

A coachload of Chinese tourists was among forty people rescued when blizzards brought chaos to the Kirkstone Pass. Members of Langdale Ambleside, Patterdale and Penrith teams worked to bring motorists to safety after an accident involving a number of vehicles in which one car overturned, 454 metres up on the road between Windermere and Ullswater. Two people were freed from the car on its . T 19 R roof and stretchered to a Langdale Ambleside Land Rover which then took them to an ambulance M e

d waiting at a lower level. i s e l Some stranded motorists were taken to the Kirkstone Pass Inn, while Patterdale team members – b m

A who had just taken part in the rescue of a man who survived a 200-metre fall from Helvellyn – worked e l

a in relays to ferry the forty people down to its base in the valley, a combined operation of twelve long d g

n hours. a L As one team member reported, ‘We’re constantly filling up our freezer with food and it keeps getting © s o

t eaten by casualties and team members alike. I think we’ll need a bigger freezer, if 2015 keeps up at o h

P this rate!’ It’s been a busy year for water rescue training. T hi rt y-six team members have now achieved Module 2 instructor sign-off, meaning training can now be officially 20 delivered to the same high standard across mountain rescue teams throughout England and Wales.

Team members from six of the seven G regions filled available places on this fully-funded course over nine long O weekends between October and DERBY TEAM MEMBERS L December.

RESCUE BELL RINGER t ‘From the start,’ said George, ‘it was

clear we were working with some very FROM CHURCH TOWER n

experienced people with good RESCUE: JANUARY e

instructional backgrounds. The course d wasn’t so much about skill acquisition as Well accustomed to dealing with i

the re-evaluation of a skill set and its casualties in a more urban c environment, Derby team members precise boundaries. n ‘Delegates were more than happy were involved in an unusual call-out i with this. Many having a concern over even by these standards, when they the possibility of ‘skill-creep’ under were called to a casualty in the tower Andy Lee , MREW Water Officer, has operational pressure with first responders of Brailsford Church. been responsible for setting up the being drawn into dangerous situations. The lady had been taking part in training programme, which was delivered ‘Despite cold conditions, we were bell ringing for the Sunday service over a series of weekends by Outreach frequently lifted by outbreaks of morale, when the rope became entangled Rescue in North Wales. with each group possessed of some around her arm, causing injuries to ‘As national officer responsible for this terrific characters, lightening a lot of the arm and her hip as she fell to the project it’s been a pleasure to work with hard work for all concerned. All in all, it ground. Due to the extremely narrow Outreach. They couldn’t have been more was an absolute privilege to work with stairway leading to the tower, the dedicated to our needs and I have to such a committed crowd of people team’s expertise was called on to and I hope the programme leads to especially thank instructors George and evacuate her to the ground. positive things in the future.’ Laurence who have tirelessly supported A team member living locally was Summing up with a sobering message, developing the process, including a first on scene and provided medical number of tweaks along the way.’ he urged all first responders to remember: attention. As more team members ‘Good swimmers die every day!’ arrived, the lady was placed into a The new cohort of instructors attended Summing up a further training weekend in February, specialist vacuum mattress and full with a sobering to complete the final part of their body splint – which forms a rigid thought, he urged development — including training in shell around a person – and then the MREW accreditation process and carried down the narrow stairs to be all first responders other practical skills workshops. Once handed over to the waiting ambulance to remember: fully-fledged, they will be able to deliver crew and on to the Royal Derby Good swimmers die certificated MREW training. Hospital for treatment. every day! ‘A huge thanks should go to all ‘We often get called to incidents involved in the process,’ says Andy. ‘It that people would never associate will continue to strengthen our with mountain rescue, but I believe The course was designed to ensure operational capabilities and, more this is a first for the team,’ said one high standards within the time challenges importantly, our safety in this area.’ team member, afterwards. 21 faced by volunteers and, while this ‘We’re just happy to have been able qualification only enables candidates to help and wish the lady a speedy to teach mountain rescue team Main photo: Cheryl King www.ckingimages.co.uk. recovery.’ members, it does ensure that those Inset: Instructors in the making. trained achieve the DEFRA Module 2 Top right: Scarborough & Ryedale team members In at the deep end: standard. on winter training © Scarborough & Rydale MRT. training the trainers WORKING TOGETHER: EXMOOR TEAM MEMBERS IN JOINT EXERCISE G David’s involvement with mountain rescue combined a unique skill WITH THE RNLI: FEBRUARY O set as surgeon, anatomist, cartoonist, rock climber, mountaineer and L Exmoor team members took part in a joint sailor with an insight into the effects of extreme weather conditions, cold

exercise with Minehead RNLI, as part of a and sleep deprivation gleaned from his early years as a Morecambe s continuing drive to train jointly with the other Bay trawlerman (one of long, family line!).

agencies in their area. And it was a particularly It wasn’t long after moving to the Barrow area, to take up a post at w interesting one, not least we hear, to see the hospital, that David joined his local mountain rescue team, within e weeks graduating to team doctor, followed before too long by his how much water the team’s medical officer N appointment as Medical Officer for the then Mountain Rescue 22 could absorb. Council. His involvement revolutionised the way casualties are treated The exercise was organised through the in the fells, through the development and coordination of first aid respective organisation’s training officers and standards. took place at the RNLI station in Minehead. In 1999, he took on the role of chairman, advancing the cause of Participants were split into groups with mountain rescue on the international stage, through IKAR, at some of the RNLI crew showing mountain government level and at the Palace – his greatest pride being the rescuers their facilities, including the rescue agreement, in 2007, for Prince William to become our patron. boats. Says Lionel, ‘We did have to prise our DAVID ALLAN MBE STEPS ‘He has helped forge mountain rescue into a competent, robust and water technicians away from the large one as DOWN AS CHAIRMAN: MAY recognisable asset,’ said Peter Bell, who presented David with a token it wouldn’t have fitted in the vehicle anyway!’ of our appreciation. ‘He will be missed but his numerous The day culminated in a joint land search contributions to mountain rescue will continue to flourish.’ with finds of casualties and an evacuation from the beach by the RNLI teams. ‘This was an excellent exercise in showing how well our teams work together to achieve

. the best outcome for the casualties. It was

T A Manchester man called for help at midnight after spending many hours trying to find his R

S here that our medical officer, Sammi, who MIDNIGHT CALL FROM r way off Bleaklow, the Peak District’s second highest hill. Thirteen Glossop team members, a o o had volunteered to be the evacuee casualty, boat are quite large, wet and very cold! But dry out and warm up. But, on a serious note, WALKER LOST IN FOG ON

m dog from Kinder team and second dog from Oldham team searched for two hours, eventually x E found that waves look small from the beach she survived and after being transferred to many valuable lessons were learned from locating him by the flashes of his torch and the sound of his whistles. BLEAKLOW: FEBRUARY © but in a relatively small semi-rigid inflatable g the larger boat was safely returned to land to this exercise. Team members arrived home around 4.00am, just in time to grab a couple of hours’ sleep n i h

c before getting up to go to their day jobs. n u a L

Helvellyn and the surrounding mountains rescue search dog. The 68-year-old from the car, before mounting a major operation members, who were training below the ridge, may look stunning in their winter clothes, and Penrith area had set off earlier the day before involving over forty team members from five unable to recall what had happened or whether the glorious winter conditions of January and to ascend Helvellyn. He was very experienced teams and a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter. he had been with anyone. February drew many to the hills, to walk, and well equipped. Mike Blakey, Patterdale team leader said, ‘Not only did he fall a long way from a climb and ski. Sadly for some, this came at The team was alerted by the man’s wife at ‘In a situation like this, we search all possible mountain on which three people have died so a price, with three climbers losing their lives around 8.40pm, when he failed to return from routes and locations where a missing person far this year,’ said Mike Blakey, ‘but he in falls. During that period, teams in the area may be, on both sides of the mountain. managed to make his own way down in a were called out more than forty times, with ‘During the very early hours of the morning snowstorm. just three of the Lake District’s twelve teams Patterdale’s search dog located the missing ‘He had no idea where he’d ended up. He dealing with eighteen of these call-outs. man on the headwall of Helvellyn, above Red described falling through the snow when he In early January, sixty-two team members Tarn. Two doctors and further team members was on the ridge and coming to rest about were involved in a two-day search for a man were on scene within minutes. half way down the mountain, still in a blizzard. reported missing after failing to check out of ‘The weather conditions were atrocious and, ‘We’d originally planned to train in Red his hotel. At 10.30am on the second day, a despite several attempts, the Sea King was Tarn in the morning, but with the severe search dog found a man on the headwall of forced to retreat to the Greenside Mines area weather forecast we changed our plans at the Helvellyn at the same time as an RAF team where it waited for about two hours until we last minute. If we hadn’t, this man would not spotted the man from above. He had sustained were able to carry the man down the mountain. have been rescued so quickly, and it would fatal injuries. ‘During the evacuation, which lasted four be difficult to say if he’d have found help. He Days later, another man died in hospital and half hours, the man suffered a cardiac probably should buy a lottery ticket!’ having fallen from Swirral Edge into Brown arrest. With three doctors and a paramedic He was assessed and quickly transferred 23 Cove as his group were descending from now on scene, we were able to continue CPR by stretcher to one of the team’s vehicles, WINTER CONDITIONS BRING SERIES OF FATAL Helvellyn. One man had slipped a short until he reached the major trauma centre in parked nearby at Brown Cove dam. From ACCIDENTS ON HELVELLYN, AND ONE VERY LUCKY distance from the ridge, the second slipped Newcastle but, sadly, he died in hospital from there, he was taken to Patterdale team base and fell 1000 feet as he descended to help his injuries at around 6.30am.’ where he was assessed and later released. CHAP: JANUARY & FEBRUARY his fallen friend, and a third man was helped Days later, another man collapsed at the Remarkably, he had only suffered minor off the hill by a passing walker . The injured feet of Patterdale rescuers after falling 650 feet injuries. casualty died of his injuries later that night. his day out on the mountain, which he’d from Helvellyn. Described as ‘one lucky chap’, Left: Helvellyn © Craig Palmer. Then, in February, a local mountaineer was climbed on only a few days earlier. Patterdale the 28-year-old survived the fall in white-out Centre: Above Red Tarn © Simon Ledingham incident LOG found laying seriously injured by a mountain and Keswick teams initially searched for his conditions. He had stumbled into the team (under Creative Commons Licence). I lie confused, disorientated, my than keep the pysche in good shape. out, amazed how intact I am with this lot! mind furiously trying to figure out I’m broken and will need all the help considering the distance fallen. She The French look after me well, but where I am, how did I get here? my friends and the local rescue team reassures me I’m fixable. my lack of language skills makes Involuntary groans leave my body can give me. To stay warm, I snuggle At some point my French rescuers communicating a challenge. Nights from the shock, pain and confusion into the bear of a man that is Pete and are ready to haul. I’m guided into the are the hardest. My mind is wired, racking me. Gradually the thinking await the rescue. Fortunately, we’re back splint and then into the stretcher, the room is hot and it’s hard to find clears and I’m looking up. I see the not far from a road, I’m almost directly being handled well all the way. When any comfort. By morning I’m shot, outline of the 40-metre-deep shaft under the cave entrance 80 metres loaded the controller looks at me. Am but the auxiliary nursing team come I’ve just fallen down – a large gaping above me, and there are no nasty I ready? ‘Allez, allez, allez!’ I reply. in, clean me, wipe my bottom, change 24 sphere of blackness in the middle of crawls or tight rifts to negotiate! Then the words ‘traction’ and I’m off. the sheets and basically look after the beam from my helmet light, I’ve little concept of time. The rescue It’s a single haul rope from the me, after which I feel much better. which is lying just behind my head. effort seems to take off remarkably start of the first pitch down to me, The sleepless nights continue and Amongst the first coherent thoughts quickly. In what seems a very short no additional lifeline, with regular I’m becoming more emotionally are, ‘I survived falling down that!?’ time a member of the French team releasable deviations along the way. shot. Sleep is needed and drugs are After the Next comes the sudden awareness appears along with my good friend There’s plenty of space so I’m hauled resorted to! that I’m at the edge of the next pitch Ali. The emotion of seeing each other in a horizontal position (so much After a week in hospital, the French fall.. in the cave. Quickly my bloodied hands hits home. I’m alive and talking – not better than being hauled vertically), doctors agree I can travel and a few find the rope I should have been a jellied lump. Tears easily flow as the and the haul is carried out using a days later my insurance cover arranges attached to and clip it into my chest enormity of surviving this fall suddenly counterbalance system. an air ambulance to bring me back Mountain and cave ascender. becomes very clear. The haul goes well and within thirty to the UK. So begins my stay in the rescuers know only too The next instinct is to establish what Stuff continues to happen as more minutes I’m at the top. The changeover University Hospital Wales in Cardiff. state I’m in. Years of cave rescue first people appear and I become a for the entrance passage is swift and Again, I’m well looked after. The well what can happen still a few metres off the floor. shaft and meant I fell against the rock aid training kick in and I do a quick compliant casualty. A tent of tarps is I’m soon out of the cave and being injuries are x-rayed again, consultants when things go wrong. Keen to keep going, I rigged the for some of the distance, taking some self-assessment. Remarkably, head put around me, oxygen given, a taken to the helicopter. From fall to check the work of the French surgeons And, there but for fortune start of the traverse onto the second energy out of the fall and keeping and back seem okay, but the left leg paramedic appears and my clothing rescue has been less than eight hours (which is apparently very good) and pitch then dropped the rope down me upright, but I only have a single they continue to enjoy is broken, and the right kneecap isn’t is cut off. A cannula is inserted and – much quicker than I was expecting. even the food proves to be pretty for it, before getting Pete, following glimpse left in the memory of their own adventures, where it should be. morphine applied, though I remember I have to wait a short while in the good! me, to give me the rope for the third looking down as I fell. Fortunately, the right leg can still remarkably little pain. helicopter as the paramedic that A week later, consultants review walking, climbing, pitch. This I stuffed into my tackle So – somehow – I’ve survived this take weight and I crawl off to somewhere Pete keeps checking on me as I’m comes with it is the one in the cave the damage in my left foot. I’ve caving. But every now bag before resuming rigging the in an injured but fixable state. The safer to tuck up and await rescue. quiet, but it’s just me trying to snuggle and also has to be hauled out but mashed a few bones out of existence second pitch. road to full recovery will take a while and then the coin flips. Before long, my mate Pete is sliding down and rest. Around me my rescuers we’re soon on our way to Montpelier and it seems likely the foot will heal I don’t remember why I initially but to have a second chance is truly What then? Jules Carter, down the rope to reach me and finds are busy preparing to take me to University Hospital. at an angle. Within twenty-four hours, slipped but I do remember, prior to remarkable. Why I fell, on something warden and underground me sitting on the rope tackle bag on a safety. At some point Lisa appears. There, I’m wheeled to A&E, where I’m back in theatre having a plate the incident, stopping to assess my technically straightforward, is ledge with my broken leg dangling She is one of our cave rescue doctors I’m quickly taken to X-ray and the CT fitted to stiffen the foot and an external controller with the South next steps and sort myself out a bit. something I ask myself a lot. It over the edge to provide some traction. and also a French speaker so useful scanner to be assessed. My skull, frame to ensure it heals straight. All and Mid Wales Cave I was trying to reduce the bolts I shows accidents can happen, but I Remarkably, I’m in a state worth to the effort. Lisa has known me for backbone and pelvis get the all-clear, being well, this has to stay in place needed to rig into, to save hangers was also probably a bit tired and Rescue Team, found out rescuing! years and taught me much of my first but I’ve fractured the left femur, for the next six weeks and effectively and rope, and I remember I was wired from a stressful period of the hard way. There is little I can now do other aid knowledge. She also checks me smashed up my left mid-foot quite a makes me wheelchair-bound until planning to clip my short safety work, and then the rushing to pack bit, broken the right knee cap into the frame is removed. The plus side loop, or cows-tail, into the next resin and travel to France. No doubt a three pieces and have substantial means I should be able to run again. anchor. From there, I’d be able to combination of minor things added rope burns to both hands. So where and how did this happen? sort the rope for the hang down the up to me not being as aware as I Those first days are now a blur, but Sadly, almost at the start of our pitch itself. should have been. I remember the first night being long holiday in the Gorges du Tarn region It seems as that I went to move the Whatever, there is much to take and slow. I was ‘nil by mouth’, waiting of the Massif Central in France. A short cows-tail I slipped from my from this. Support from family and for an operation and desperately whole bunch of families and friends stance, bringing me onto the long friends has been phenomenal, the thirsty, but only being given wet had met up on a campsite in the cows-tail which was still clipped superb efforts of the French rescue tissue to suck on to wet the mouth. region. Keen to start caving, some of into another of the resin anchors. services, Snowcard insurance and I had another day and night of this us decided to do the Aven de Hures, That should have been it, but to my the excellent care and expertise of waiting for the operation to pin the a fine pothole system reasonably horror the snapgate carabiner had both the French and UK health femur and wire the kneecap back near the campsite. twisted round with the gate now lying services. Thank you everyone! I owe together. I’d never had an operation The cave was easy to find, situated in the danger position across the bolt. a lot of beers... before and this became a surreal near the road in a small village. The As my weight loaded onto the cows- Postscript: The consultants and experience. The initial injections put short entrance passage quickly led tail the carabiner unclipped itself. physios tell me progress has been you into a vaguely aware conscious to the first pitch. Our information on The click of that carabiner unclipping good. At the time of writing it’s been state before being taken into theatre the cave was out of date. We were is still sharp in the memory. I know just over seven months and I’m and going completely under. expecting to rig on spit anchors but full well I’m about to fall forty walking around without support, Trying to wake from the operation we found the cave very well-equipped metres and there is little I can do . getting about on the bicycle again 25 also becomes surreal. You vaguely with permanent resin anchors. My shouts horrify my friends – it’s and have been back at work for come to. Someone checks on you Dispensing with the hangers for the clear this is no dropped tackle bag. about a month. Still a lot of fixing to and then you fade out again. This spits I set off to rig the cave. Some instinct to survive, however do but fortunately the overall seems to go on for a while, before The resin anchors were very plentiful desperate, must have kicked in as I prognosis is pretty good – just got becoming more aware in a small and it was clear we wouldn’t have grabbed the pitch rope. Despite to keep it steady and be patient! I’ve ward room and finding tubes enough rope and maillons/carabineers feeling the rope burning into my hands even managed a bit of gentle skiing! everywhere – cannula in the neck to use them all, so I was trying to be I must have clung on for a good few and arm, separate painkiller feeds to sensible in what I used. Despite this, seconds. This probably saved me by Left: Awaiting rescue. Top: Looking both legs and drains coming out of I ran out of rope on the first pitch pulling me against the side of the up the pitch Jules fell down. the surgery sites. There’s no sleep and had to tie in the next rope whilst Who are the other

Our link with Prince William, as our patron, has brought charities? the opportunity for mountain and cave rescue team Centrepoint , another of members to entertain youngsters and their families from Prince William’s charities, was 26 other charities with a Royal connection. This year, it was founded in 1969 by Ken Leech, the turn of South Wales to host this annual event on vicar of St Anne’s, Soho. Concerned about the number behalf of Mountain Rescue England and Wales. of young people sleeping rough in the West End of London, he and a group of volunteers opened up the basement of the The day’s activities included Chief Constable Simon Prince of church as a temporary night abseiling, a search and rescue exercise Dyfed Powys Police arrived to present shelter. More than forty years — looking for Westie Bear — a caving each participant with a certificate and later, the charity continues to experience, and lessons in bushcraft goodie bag. campaign to give homeless skills at Craig Yr Nors Country Park, with Every year, the focus has been on a young people a future. each of the South Wales teams taking different region of England and Wales, WellChild , one of Prince ownership of one of the activities. with teams in the North East, the Lakes, Harry’s charities, is committed to Those taking part were split into groups North and South Wales taking turns to helping sick children and their Royal charities share so everyone could try their hand at two devise creative ways to engage with families as they deal with the activities during the day. As in previous and entertain these often severely consequences of serious illness years, the children and young people disadvantaged children. And every and complex conditions. Their came from Centrepoint, Child year, feedback from youngsters, their care and support enables many Bereavement and WellChild and a families and team members alike terminally ill children to leave hospital and return home, whilst day in South Wales good deal of fun was had by all. confirms that this is a heart-warming also supporting their siblings and and inspiring day for everyone involved. parents. This year’s event is set to take place To be truthful, in North Wales, on 26/27 June, once The Child Bereavement mate... this is the best again hosted by the region’s mountain Charity , another of Prince day ever! and cave rescue teams. The last time Harry’s charities, supports the event was here, in summer 2010, it families, and provides training to was a great success, with youngsters professionals, across the entire spectrum of child bereavement One participant, from Yorkshire, who taking part in activities based around — both when a child of any age had never abseiled before, was asked Little Tryfan, close by the Ogwen team’s dies or is dying, or when a child whether he enjoyed the experience. ‘To base at Bryn Poeth, and The Towers is facing bereavement. be truthful mate,’ came the reply, ‘this is outdoor pursuits centre at Capel Curig. the best day ever!’ Plans are already well underway.

27 G O L t NEW THREE PEAKS n

CHALLENGE DEEMED e

Drowned victim search dogs were relatively unknown in A SUCCESS: JUNE d the world of mountain rescue. In Northern Ireland, Neil i Powell has been training and working in this field for Negotiating with a local butcher to c buy 500 pork pies doesn’t normally n 28 many years. It was thanks to him that Bolton team member feature in a team’s training modules I and experienced air-scenting dog handler Dave Marsh, but that’s what was needed for Upper was inspired to set out on a different adventure, training Wharfedale’s inaugural Wharfedale young collie Sasha. Three Peaks Challenge. Their alternative Yorkshire Three Peaks covered Buckden Pike, Birks Fell and Great He first set eyes on Sasha three association for training and support, Whernside, a distance of twenty-two years ago after Neil asked if he would travelling to Ireland for his initial miles and climbing something around take this ‘lovely wee dog’ in need of a Drowned Victim Search Dog course. the height of Ben Nevis. Two lesser new home. ‘Is she suitable for drowned And, by the end of a weekend of routes were also included in the event victim search work?’ asked Dave, and lectures and practical sessions on to make it into a family occasion. The ‘Yes’ came the response. Castlewellen Lake, Dave and Sasha aim was to tempt walkers and runners So it was that, one wet miserable were well on their way. away from the conventional route. Saturday morning at Birch services, the Two years on, and Sasha’s initial small, smooth-coated seven-month- assessment in August 20 14 at Lough old collie bitch, with a tail that never Neagh in Northern Ireland was stopped wagging, came bounding postponed due to poor weather. But in towards her new master and the October, the opportunity arose again. process of bonding began. ‘I’d been given the parameters of a And, once you’ve decided to train search area with full scenario briefing,’ . A

R a dog to search for people who have explains Dave. ‘The search method F e l drowned, who do you turn to? Well, in was discussed and then we were off. a d e f this instance, back to Neil Powell, the Rodney drove the boat, Neil watched r a

h expert. me intently and I watched Sasha. We W r

e searched on sweeps at 90 degrees to p p U A little nervously, the wind, over a two-hour period, © covering most of the lake. A

R I pointed to a spot in

F ‘After lunch, searching recommenced U

W the lake. We were just with Sasha indicating after twenty : t h

g minutes. The search area was narrowed

i three metres from R down and that’s when Neil asked the . target! We’d passed! h s

r question: ‘Well, where is it?’ a

M ‘A little nervously, I pointed to a spot The new route included the scene e v

a What to do? How to do it? When? The in the lake. We were just three metres of UWFRA’s most famous rescue, of D list was endless and daunting. Minor from target! We’d passed!’

© the emaciated dog stretchered from g

o hiccups could become major disasters There are around 168 drownings in the summit of Buckden Pike. WUFRA, d

h if the training regime wasn’t right but, England alone in one year. Around c as he was subsequently named, r a

e fortunately, there were many pointers 60% of those missing are found within s became a media sensation in some m

i in the guidelines compiled by Neil with the initial search stages but it’s the t twenty-seven countries, raising the c i v John Sjoberg. remaining percentage Dave and Sasha profile of mountain rescue at home d e n John has a vast pool of knowledge are most suited to search for. For that, and abroad. And, needless to say, he w o

r gained from training dogs for the they need access to a few resources

d was the celebrity to start off the event

e Swedish armed forces to detect including a boat, trailer and vehicle to h t from Kettlewell. ,

a unsolicited frogmen entering Swedish tow them. So — a little fundraising is h The event formed part of the s

a territorial waters. With Neil’s experience required on Dave’s part. They also S

: 100-day Tour de France Cultural

o of training similar dogs over thirty years need water (obviously) and people t

o Festival. Participants were even given h

p — many years in advance of anybody with boat skills to assist on actual n

i first-hand experience of a typical

a else in the UK — they have compiled searches. 29 M a set of training stages and working Since being declared ‘active’, Dave team call-out when a 75-year-old standards which were accepted by and Sasha have attended five searches man was stretchered off Great NSARDA in 2007. with one successful indication as to Whernside during the event suffering The next very important step was to where the body was, which was then from exhaustion. join SARDA Ireland North. Why? Well, recovered by police divers. The team was delighted at the event Making the grade simply, no other association believed in To find out more about drowned which raised in excess of £6,000 – or undertook training in this specialism, victim work, contact Dave via not least of all, we feel, due to the so Dave had to look outside his own [email protected]. prevailing popularity of their delightful on the water celebrity guest! Supporters of mountain rescue have been using websites such as Just Giving and Virgin Money for several years but it is only really in the past five years or so that teams 30 across England and Wales – and the national body as an organisation – have begun to see the benefits of Facebook, YouTube, Twitter et al.

of familiar faces and people with a G simple ‘Support Mountain Rescue’ message board. O ‘At first, it was just me and my fellow COMRU UNVEILS L team members out in the hills with a

UNIMOG: DECEMBER t message board,’ says Neil, ‘but we’ve

gradually got other people to do it. The Social media fans were kept informed n

big coup last year was when our Royal throughout the building process , with e

patron, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, this unique vehicle finally unveiled, d agreed to pose for a photograph. That fully liveried, in December. i

post alone reached over 300,000 It had been quite a process. COMRU’s c

people, through supporters sharing it existing vehicle was starting to show n with their own contacts — although it its age but the volume of technical i did prompt a few interesting comments equipment to be carried had also grown about whether the hero of the shot was significantly. So, rather than look at the real thing or a lookalike! And we traditional team vehicles, they began can assure everyone he was very much with a clean sheet. the real thing! The resulting Unimog can operate ‘We’re working on a few more ideas at locations which are significantly for the future and, with the launch of challenging to vehicles, especially in Neil Hayter is the National Fundraising Mountain Rescue Film 2015 — featured winter, and travels at a slower than Officer with MREW and the driving force on page nine — hoping that we can average speed for an ‘emergency’ behind the umbrella organisation’s social really go viral with our Support Mountain vehicle. It can move off with just two media presence. Rescue message.’ team members on board, conforms to ‘We’ve known for years that supporters You can find us on Facebook at the ambulance registration rules and of mountain rescue like to keep in touch, facebook.com/MountainRescueuk. On it’s tough enough to stand outside all find out about incidents and also learn Twitter via @mountrescueuk Or check its life in all weathers! There’s also how they can support teams financially. out the film on YouTube: coming soon. plenty of spare capacity for any future Social media offers a lot of opportunities developments in equipment and, best to do just that and most teams in England Main photo: Cave Rescue Organisation train with of all, it was affordable! and Wales now use at least one of the the Sea King for the last time © Steve Finch. The vehicle came from Europe – Insert: HRH The Duke of Cambridge, image more popular channels to share their fully serviced and MOT’d, registered courtesy of St James’s Palace. Top right: Lego activities and build up a network of team member rallies support © David O’Sullivan as an ambulance and complete with supporters and ‘Friends’ or ‘Followers’. http: // legomrt.blogspot.co.uk. full military tool kit, snow chains and Of the forty-eight mountain rescue recovery gear – via a company Below: Showing off the new vehicle © COMRU. teams and nine cave rescue teams, that buys surplus government fifty have a Facebook profile and thirty stock to sell to the civilian have a Twitter stream — and the public market, aid agencies and the Mountain Rescue England and Wales governments of other Facebook page has almost 10,000 countries. ‘likes’ while the Twitter feed has more Team members carried out than 10,300 ‘followers’. the conversion with livery 31 ‘That’s an awful lot of people with applied locally by a company some interest in what we do,’ says Neil, who specialise in high quality ‘and, even if you take off all the team vinyl ‘wrapping ’. members, that’s a lot of potential The grand total as a fully supporters and activists on our behalf.’ operational vehicle was just Harnessing the power One of the ways Neil has been £26,000! Money well spent! encouraging those thousands of people of social media to spread the word is by posting images Where to find your local team

Lake District North East

Mountain Rescue: Patterdale Mountain Rescue: Teesdale & Weardale Cockermouth Penrith Cleveland Mountain + Cave Rescue: Coniston Wasdale North of Tyne Swaledale Duddon & Furness Mines Rescue: Northumberland Nat Park Search Dogs: Kendal COMRU RAF Leeming MRT SARDA England Keswick Search Dogs: Scarborough & Ryedale Kirkby Stephen Lakes District Mountain Langdale Ambleside Rescue Search Dogs LDSAMRA NESRA Yorkshire Dales Mid Pennine YDRP Mountain + Cave Rescue: Cave Rescue Organisation Mountain Rescue: Rossendale & Pendle Upper Wharfedale Bolton Mountain + Cave Rescue: MPSRO Mountain Rescue: Bowland Pennine Cave Rescue Organisation RAF Leeming Calder Valley Search Dogs: Holme Valley SARDA England PDMRO NWMRA Peak District

North Wales Mountain Rescue: Buxton Mountain Rescue: Derby Aberdyfi Edale Aberglaslyn Glossop Llanberis SWSARA Kinder North East Wales Oldham Ogwen Valley Woodhead South Snowdonia Cave Rescue: RAF Valley Derbyshire CRO Cave Rescue: Search Dogs: North Wales CRO SWERA SARDA England Search Dogs: SARDA Wales PenMaCRA Midlands

Cave Rescue: South West England Midlands CRO South Wales Mountain Rescue: Cave Rescue: South East Mountain Rescue: Cave Rescue: Avon & Somerset Mendip CR Brecon South Severn Area Gloucestershire CRG Cave Rescue: Central Beacons & Mid Wales CRT South East CRO Longtown Search Dogs: Western Beacons SARDA South Wales Peninsula

Mountain Rescue: Mountain + Cave Rescue: Dartmoor (Ashburton) Cornwall Dartmoor (Okehampton) Cave Rescue: Dartmoor (Plymouth) Devon CRO Dartmoor (Tavistock) Search Dogs: Exmoor SARDA England

In case of accident or incident requiring mountain or cave rescue assistance Dial 999. Ask for the Police then Mountain Rescue or Cave Rescue

To find out more about mountain and cave rescue in England and Wales go to mountain.rescue.org.uk or caverescue.org.uk

Or find us on social media via Facebook: facebook.com/MountainRescueuk Twitter: @mountrescueuk • YouTube: xxxx link to film to follow

Mountain Rescue England and Wales is a registered charity number 222596. British Cave Rescue Council is a registered charity number 11 37252.