CMRT 2012

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Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team

Annual Report 2012 www.cockermouthmrt.org.uk

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The Team responsible for rescuing people and animals from the Lorton, Loweswater, Buttermere and Ennerdale areas

Founded in 1953 A registered charity. No. 506956

57th Annual Report Team Officials President: Maureen Richardson Vice-Presidents: Dr. Edward Holloway, Jim Hall, Mike Thompson Chairman: Steve Brailey Team Leader: Michael Park Secretary: Gwyn Lewis, PO Box 73, Cockermouth CA13 3AE, 01900 827771, gwyn@cockermouthmrt.org.uk Assistant Secretary: Richard Hellen Treasurer: Jeff Haslam Medical Officers: Dr. Mark Steel, Dr. Jo Grove, Dr. Peter Hemingway, Dr Peter Winterbottom Assistant Team Leaders: Steve Brailey, Chris Cookson, Andrew McNeil

Radio Officer: Richard Greenwood Quartermasters: John Bulman, Russell Butler, Neil Connolly, Chris Cookson, Jim Coyle, Simon Hunter, Andrew McNeil, James Moore, Martin Pickavance, Derek Tunstall Development Manager: Chris Abbot 01946 861963, chris.abbot1953@btinternet.com Collecting Box Co-ordinator: Derek Tunstall MBE Auditor: Gibbons & Co. Honorary Members: Maurice Anderson, George Williams

Call-out List Abbot, C. ............................Bank Manager (Retired) Blanden, D.........................Building Surveyor Brailey, S. ..........................Local Government Officer Bulman, J. ..........................Health & Safety Advisor Butler, R. ............................Teacher Connolly L. ........................Physiotherapist Connolly, N. ......................Outdoor Instructor Cookson, C. ......................Project Team Manager Cousins, I. ..........................Software Engineer Coyle, J. BEM ..................Estate Manager (Retired) Dawson, P. ........................Headteacher Dempster, J. MBE..........Headteacher (Retired) Goodman, S. ....................Teacher Graham, A. ........................Chartered Surveyor Greenwood, R. ................Chartered Engineer Grove, J. ..............................General Practitioner Hadwin, M. ........................Manager Haslam, J. ..........................ICT Advisor Hellen, R. ............................Dental Practitioner Hemingway, P. ................General Practitioner Hunter, S. ..........................Env. Technical Manager

Irving, A. ..............................Project Engineer Jones, S...............................Dental Surgeon Lewis, G. ............................Operations Manager Liddell, R.............................Headteacher (Retired) Lumb, N...............................Outdoor Instructor McNeil, A. ..........................Building Surveyor Moore J. ..............................Chartered Engineer Moore, R. MBE ..............Support Engineer Norman, P. ........................Draughtsman Otley, C. ..............................Comm. Dev. Worker Outhwaite, R. ..................Consultant Park, M. MBE. ..................Land Surveyor Pickavance, M. ..............Teacher Steel, M. ..............................General Practitioner Tunstall, D. MBE ............Mechanical Fitter Twyford, P...........................Solicitor Whitehurst, S. ................Orthodontist Winterbottom, P. ............General Practitioner Woodbury, S. ....................Research Technologist Probationers: Tom Gallagher, Phillip Gerrard, Chris Steele

l Design and production donated by Denise Bell & Andy Smith Smith+Bell Design (www.smithplusbell.com)

l Printed by: Reeds, Penrith (www.hhreedsprinters.co.uk)

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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Steve Brailey

Top of page: The Team on a practice at Gasgale Gill.

has also been involved in a number of serious non-mountain incidents; the Cockermouth floods, the Keswick coach crash, and the West Cumbria shootings. It was a proud moment for the team in 2011 when the Mike Park’s leadership through these and other incidents was nationally recognised with the award of the MBE. Well done Mike.

The total of four MBEs and one BEM awarded to our team members for their service to the local community is testament to their commitment and dedication as unpaid volunteers.

When I give talks to local groups about the team, or attend the presentation of a donation I’m frequently asked the same question

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In terms of pure statistics 2011 was for Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team an average year with 49 call-outs.

Some would say a quiet year compared to the 80 call-outs in 2010.

However, for team members there’s no such thing as an average year, there’s always a testing or challenging call-out that continues to stick in the mind. In 2011 it could have been the fell runner that tumbled into Gate Gill on Blencathra sustaining serious injuries, or the fatal helicopter crash near Honister. For me it was fell walker Edward from Cheshire who slipped and fell 300ft down Grasmoor front and ended up gripping heather roots above another 200ft drop. Thanks to the speedy efforts of team members and an RAF helicopter Edward was successfully rescued and made a full recovery.

Over the last three years the team

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about being a member of the team, ‘why do you do it?’. My usual answer would be ‘putting something back into mountaineering, something I’ve been involved in for 38 years’, but it’s all rather more complicated than that. As the events of the last three years have shown we’re not just a mountain rescue team but more of a community rescue team, and it’s the support the local community gives back that provides much of the funding that keeps us running.

Throughout 2011 the fundraising efforts of the local community were truly humbling. Sainsbury’s staff nominated us their charity of the year and undertook a variety of fundraising events for our benefit raising a significant sum. Local runner Bob Riley cycled from Lands’ End to John O’Groats raising another four figure sum. Many local schools and pupils from Workington, Maryport, Cockermouth and wider afield also raised money for us through the year, including a friend of those who died in the Keswick coach crash who raised over a thousand pounds.

Thanks to this support our rescue equipment and vehicles continue to develop and improve, and in 2011 the purchase of new defibrillators was a significant step forward. Ten years ago

The Team practicing on the rocks and in the water.

it was struggle to fit our over-sized and over-weight defibrillator into its carrying suitcase, let alone carry it on the fells.

We now have two new defibrillators each of which can be carried and handled in one hand; so when this equipment is needed for an emergency it’s going to get to where it’s needed much more quickly.

Every year our team members undergo an extensive training programme in rescue and first-aid techniques, and in 2011 this was supplemented by driver training with blue lights and sirens. Workington, Maryport and Cockermouth provided ideal locations for this training, usually held during evenings. We thank local residents along our route for their patience and consideration, and apologise for the regular noise disturbance!

It would be impossible for the Team to operate in isolation and provide a rescue service on or off the mountains, so my thanks go to our neighbouring teams Keswick MRT and Wasdale MRT, Cumbria Police, the Fire and Rescue Service, the North West Ambulance Service, the crews of the Great North and North West Air Ambulance, Maryport Inshore Rescue, and last but not least, the RAF and RN helicopter crews. n

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TEAM LEADER’S REPORT Mike Park MBE

Top of the page: Incident 28.

before us, and possibly for those who come after us. But most of all we are doing it for ourselves, because there is no greater feeling than achieving something hard won as a Team.

Nobody else can truly know this feeling but you lot, it makes us laugh and smile through the difficult stuff, don’t forget or lose that feeling.

So, yes, we’ve had a quieter year, but it’s had just as many “moments” as previous busier years. Let me remind you of those “moments”.

March – we were called out to search for Mark Weir, a local man missing in his helicopter, overdue after leaving from the Honister Mine. Sadly Mark was found inside his crashed chopper on the side of the fell by s

This year my report is going to be shorter than usual – which reflects the quieter year the Team has had compared to the previous two busy years.

So we’ve had a quiet year, so why doesn’t it feel like that?

I guess it’s got a lot to do with a bunch of people who are constantly striving for perfection in everything they do involving the Team.

I stand on the side of the fell and watch you all giving 110% during practices and call-outs and it makes me so proud to be involved with this Team.

It inspires me to tell the world “Come and look at this lot – this is what Mountain Rescue is really about!”

But then I stop myself, and remind myself – we aren’t running a “sideshow” here, this performance is for “limited eyes only”….we are doing it for the casualty, for their family and friends.

We are doing it for those who came

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the Team. Many from the Team knew Mark and his family, making this call-out a difficult one to deal with.

May – The Team was dragged from their beds at 3am on a Saturday morning, called to assist the Keswick Team with a fell runner who had fallen into Gate Gill whilst pacing a “Bob Graham” attempt. It was a horrible wet and windy morning, working in an equally horribly steep and loose gully.

Yet again “inter-teamwork” won through and the man was successfully winched aboard an RAF Sea King (Incident 21).

The Team returned to a late breakfast at home and, I suspect, a couple of hours extra sleep, only to be called out again in the early afternoon to deal with a 66-year-old woman with a broken shoulder near Loft Beck at the far end of the Ennerdale valley. Ten minutes before successfully loading the lady on the Great North Air Ambulance, we were called out again to a 30-year-old man above Bleaberry Tarn in Buttermere (Incident 22).

The Team set off up the hill again, leapfrogging over the ridge dividing Ennerdale from Buttermere to deal with the third incident within 12 hours.

It was whilst plodding up the back of Red Pike that I noticed, in amongst the red and sweaty faces of the Team, that “feeling” I alluded to earlier on (Incident 23).

June – Called out to a 67-year-old woman with a serious ankle injury sustained while descending Gamlin End off High Crag. You all did a fantastic job in pulling this one off – “clockwork” and “game-faces on” are words that spring to mind. Definitely a contender for this year’s “Carlsberg Call-out” (Incident 31).

August – A 57-year-old man falls at Rannerdale Knotts whilst scrambling, sustaining head and leg injuries – serious enough to merit a swift

Incident 23.

evacuation by RAF helicopter. Yet again, a fantastic display of teamwork (Incident 37).

Finally, in November, a 56-year-old man from Cheshire fell 300 feet whilst descending Grasmoor with his two friends. He was found clinging for life above a further serious drop in Lorton Gully. This has to be the “Carlsberg Call-out” for the year for me. A “Carlsberg Call-out” is one where conversations don’t happen, the Team just knows what to do. The Team works like one complete and swift functioning organism, you just need to think its next move to see it already being performed (Incident 46).

I can’t finish this year’s report without mentioning my trip down to London to see the Queen. I think I know some of the individuals involved in putting me forward for the MBE. I know they don’t want to be named, so all I can say is “thank you all, for doing me the honour”. I don’t honestly feel I deserve it any more than every single one of you. I am very proud to have received it, but only because it was presented to a member of Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and it still won’t match that feeling of being on the fells with this Team. n

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MEDICAL OFFICER’S REPORT Dr Mark Steel Face” and set off. Across the valley bottom I heard an update and now the helicopter was due in 30 minutes…. hmmm, that seems fairer… game on then! With my heart thumping, sweat pouring and legs like lead I eventually reached the ridge near the marble stone, just as the Sea King arrived. A quick check of the casualty was all that was possible before she was loaded into the helicopter and off to hospital.

The Team had, as ever, dealt with the situation perfectly, so what was I doing there? Well, suppose the helicopter hadn’t arrived… they would have faced a long carry out with a casualty who had an unstable fracture. That was the reason for my effort.

This year the biannual MREW medical symposium was held at Ambleside and included interesting talks on the management of severe hypothermia, which hinted at the intriguing possibility of flying severely hypothermic casualties direct to Mr Giles Peek cardiac surgeon’s Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation unit in Leicester. ECMO is a technique providing both cardiac and respiratory support to patients whose heart and lungs are so severely diseased or damaged that they can no longer serve their function. It has been shown to be superior to the traditional cardiopulmonary bypass in treating severe hypothermia but sadly units where this is available are few and far between. There was also a demonstration of the Zoll Autopulse, which is a battery-powered cardiac massage device which would allow hypothermic casualties to be carried off the hill while having cardiac

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After the rigours and emotional roller-coaster of the previous two years it was nice to have a more “routine” year with a reduction in number of callouts to 49, with most of medical incidents being the usual, lower-limb injuries. Most of these seem to occur on what would appear to be the most dangerous environment in the Western Lakes: sloping wet grass; so beware.

This surface seems to defy even the most sturdy and appropriate footwear.

Definitely not good though are Ugg boots, which caused one young lady’s downfall! I am sure the consequences of her fracture have been firmly imprinted on her memory.

One memorable experience this year was a call-out in June on Gamblin End, High Crag in Buttermere. I had been dragging my boys around a 17mile mountain biking route in Eskdale and only realised there was a call-out when I drove out of the valley back into phone reception. The call-out details read, “fractured ankle Scarth Gap” and as it was a grand flying day I wrongly assumed it would already be all over!

So I continued to drive home, washed the bikes, had a shower and then received a phone call from Control, saying Mike was looking for a Doctor!

The casualty hadn’t been on Scarth Gap but was actually on Gamblin End, 800 feet higher and almost a kilometre further north! She had a badly displaced fracture which needed reducing and they had had to use intranasal diamorphine. So, despite my state of fatigue and muttering something about “four doctors in the Team and it has to be me!”, I set off up the valley. When I arrived at Gatesgarth, John let me know that the casualty was being lowered down Gamblin End and there was an RAF Sea King due in 20 minutes. Twenty minutes! And all I had to do was run up 1500 feet! Still, I put on my “Game

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massage, hitherto impossible.

Unfortunately it weighs 10 kg, costs more than £5,000 and one battery lasts only 30 minutes. We also had talks on fitness in mountain rescue (some of us are as fit as Olympic athletes!) and older rescuers can be just as efficient as younger recruits as they develop more efficient ways of doing things! We also had some feedback on the pain relief we give on the hill to casualties.

New Team equipment this year includes Sam Pelvic splints which are specifically designed for dealing with open-book-type pelvic fractures and are much better at their job than the “frac straps” we would have previously used. We have also replaced the defibrillators with smaller devices, the Schiller Fred Easyport which weighs only 490g and we also have new oxygen guidelines which rationalise the use of oxygen depending on the type of injury and oxygen saturation.

In 2011 the Cumbria Constabulary approached Mountain Rescue Teams in the Lake District and offered the facilities of their Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) scheme for use by Team members who have been affected by Trauma Stress. This approach is used in the armed forces

Practice at Gasgale Gill.

and has encouraged a more open acknowledgement of the stress that witnessing traumatic events can cause.

Jim Coyle and I had the opportunity of taking part in a two-day TRiM course in which we learnt to be TRiM assessors.

This was held in September and included team members from most of the Lake District Teams. We are now equipped to recognise which Team members to refer for counselling. As an example of the effectiveness of TRiM, it was used following the Derek Bird shootings in 2010 in West Cumbria when no police work days were lost to trauma stress, which compares to the large number of days lost following the Lockerbie plane bombing in 1988 which, of course, occurred long before TRiM was established. Fortunately mountain rescuers tend to be a resilient bunch but it is comforting to know that help is available should it be needed, and as the last few years have shown, you never know what is round the next corner. n

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The Team’s radio systems have given reliable service over the past year allowing voice communications and providing GPS position data between Team members, our Land Rovers and our base in Cockermouth. Having the ability to see, in real time, where vehicles and people are located on call-outs is now taken for granted by all rescue teams, but this has come about only because of the efforts of a small number of technical experts within the Lake District Radio Communications sub-group. This sub-group provides invaluable technical support to operational teams and also allows the sharing of development ideas.

During the past year we have installed a broadband connection at our Gatesgarth base to allow a new radio to provide GPS position data direct to Cockermouth via the internet.

This is an adaptation of a system originally developed by the Cave Rescue Organisation which has provided invaluable support in getting

RADIO OFFICER’S REPORT Richard Greenwood

Top of the page: Incident 31.

the link operational. Thanks are also due to Jim who spent three very cold days installing the required antennae at Gatesgarth.

The future will see more interfaces between our radio systems and the internet. We can now see the location of the lost person via the SARLOC system if they have a 3G enabled Smart ‘phone. Thanks to Steve for commissioning SARLOC. We are now investigating systems to show all our mapping data on Smart ‘phones carried on the hill. However, we still maintain a communications system which operates independently of the internet and other infrastructure and this will form the basis of our systems for the foreseeable future. n

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Whilst reading past reports I realise what changes have taken place over the years. Swift water training is now a regular feature of our annual programme. Little did I realise that the seeds were sown many years ago when we participated in the local carnival with members displaying their talents at synchronised swimming, much to the delight of the crowds! The style and purpose have changed but remember the saying, “Adopt, adapt and improve”!

Throughout the year, video footage taken by the Team, has been readily accepted by the media and has certainly increased our profile, not only locally but nationally. If we find ourselves on the bandwagon then we are too late. The idea is to build the road so that others can follow. During the past year it has been evident that Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team is highly thought of and greatly respected not only within our community but through the country.

This has been achieved through a good caring service in the field and in the way members react and support requests from other services.

Next year sees the Team celebrate 60 years service. In the run up to our 50 years celebrations the Cumbria Mountain Festival was opened by the Swiss Ambassador and it was with pride that our own Mike Park climbed to release the Union Flag in celebration of the occasion. This year we congratulate Mike again, this time on his being awarded the MBE. I was disappointed though that when he attended you-know-where to receive the award from you-know-who, he did not manage to sell even one Team mug! But don’t you miss out – you can order one via the form in the centre spread of this publication or online.

Our visits to schools continue to be of value as are group visits to the base.

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER’S REPORT Chris Abbot

Above: Donations help pay for invaluable equipment such as snow chains for our ambulances’ tyres.

Talks continue to various organisations and this year we even ventured as far afield as Jarrow U3A and it is always a pleasure to renew acquaintance with people that we have previously rescued. A wonderful occasion was experienced when I visited a supporter who celebrated her 90th birthday by making a donation. This was soon followed by a similar gesture from a lady celebrating 100 years!

I cannot end this report without thanking the numerous individuals, organisations and companies who have supported us through the year.

Without their support we would not be able to respond the way we do to calls for assistance in times of need.

Each year our designers, Denise and Andy, extend their ideas in order to present a dynamic Annual Report.

I hope you find this edition so. Don’t forget to look us up on the web and I look forward to receiving your order for Team Merchandise. Better still, come and talk to us at one of the local shows. n

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Above: by Lauren Left: by Erin

Every year we receive letters, drawings and paintings from local school children who visit the base.

This year was no different and here are just a few of them.

Left: William, Lamplugh C of E School, wrote: “... a huge thank you for taking us round the headquarters. When I saw the vehicles, they were much bigger than I thought they would be. The headlights were mega bright... the sirens were extremely loud!”

Right: Maddy, Lamplugh C of E School, wrote: “I was absolutely amazed by how much effort goes into rescuing someone and how dangerous it can be. I now know how many peoples’ lives are dependent on you. Thank you.”

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Incidents 2011 Incident No 1

Sat 8 Jan Three climbers became stuck on Great End, Borrowdale.

Keswick MRT asked Cockermouth Team for assistance in rescuing them. The climbers managed to get themselves off the crag as the Team was preparing to be airlifted by RAF helicopter to the crag.

Numbers of members on call-out: 19

Incident No 2

Sun 9 Jan A family of ďŹ ve from Cumbria became stuck on a walk around Crummock Water in darkness with no torch. Six Team members spotted the group from the other side of the lake and walked round to escort them back to Buttermere.

Members: 5

Incident No 3

Thu 13 Jan Based on new information, the team undertook a night time search of the Force Crag area for a missing person.

Nothing was found.

Members: 16

Incident No 4

Sun 16 Jan The Team searched the Coledale Beck area for a missing person. Keswick MRT, COMRU (Caves and mines rescue), RAF Leeming and others also took part in a wider search. Nothing was found. Members: 25

Incident No 5

Sat 29 Jan A lady was reported with an ankle injury near Crummock Water. She was located by the Team near Scale Beck.

She was treated at the scene and then stretchered to Buttermere and taken by ambulance to West Cumberland hospital.

Members: 24

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Incident No 6

Incident No 7

Mon 28 Feb

Tue 8 Mar

A fellwalker sustained a fractured leg near to Hopegill Head. She was picked up and flown to Cumberland Infirmary as the Team was en-route.

Members: 20

The Team undertook a search with Keswick MRT for a missing helicopter, overdue after leaving from Honister.

A crash scene with the pilot, sadly a fatality, was located

by Team members on the Keswick side of Honister Pass.

Members: 21

Incident No 8

Wed 9 Mar

Incident No 9

The Team searched the area around the helicopter crash site and recovered the body of the pilot from the scene.

Members: 17

Wed 16 Mar A fell walker became lost in mist near the summit of Haycock, Ennerdale whilst trying to find the descent to Wasdale. He was talked down using his mobile phone, and support was given by Wasdale MRT with a Team member walking up the Copeland Forest path to meet him.

Members: 2

Incident No 10

Mon 4 Apr Two 17-year-old boys on a Gold Duke Of Edinburgh practice expedition from a school in Norfolk were reported with hypothermia near Crag Hill. They were found in their tent and were helped down to Buttermere. The air ambulance and an RAF helicopter were sent to the incident but not used.

Members: 25

Incident No 11

Fri 8 Apr An 18-year-old Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition member from London sustained an ankle injury near the summit of High Stile. She was treated at the scene and stretchered down to Gatesgarth, Buttermere.

Members: 23

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Incident No 12

Incident No 15

Sat 9 Apr

Sat 30 Apr

A mother and daughter were reported overdue on a walk from Wasdale Head to Gatesgarth, Buttermere.

They were found to be safe and well in the Fish Inn, Buttermere.

Members: 6

A 40-year-old fell walker from Nottinghamshire was reported overdue on the descent from Pillar, Ennerdale. He turned up safe and well as the team was mobilising.

Members: 2

Incident No 13

Incident No 14

Fri 15 Apr

Sun 24 Apr

A 63-year-old woman was reported with hypertension and palpitations at Scarth Gap, Buttermere.

Casualty was located on steeper ground on the path to Haystacks.

She was carried to Scarth Gap and transferred to an air ambulance that flew her to Gatesgarth for assessment by Road ambulance paramedic.

Members: 19

A 17-year-old member of a Gold Duke Of Edinburgh expedition became ill near Scale Beck, Buttermere. She was helped into a tent by her colleagues where the ambulance crew and team found them. She was stretchered to the ambulance at Scale Bridge and taken to West Cumberland Hospital.

Members: 20

Incident No 18

Wed 18 May A 60-year-old walker from the USA fell on the Ennerdale Lake shore path sustaining a fractured leg. She was stretchered by the team to the Great North Air Ambulance and flown to West Cumberland Hospital.

Members: 20

Incident No 16

Sun 1 May Two sheep stuck on Fleetwith Pike. Both sheep recovered with no problems.

Members: 2

Incident No 17

Sun 15 May A 55-year-old walker fell, sustaining a fractured arm, whilst walking on the back side of Crummock Water near Ling Crag. She was flown out by the North West Air Ambulance to Whitehaven Hospital. The Team escorted the other members of the party to Buttermere.

Members: 22

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Incident No 19

Incident No 20

Incident No 21

Thu 19 May

Mon 23 May

Sat 28 May

A 70-year-old walker from Yorkshire was reported overdue on a walk from Buttermere to Pillar and back. The Team and search dogs launched a search of the Buttermere and Ennerdale areas close to his route. He was located safe and well close to Buttermere.

Members: 22

Team were called to assist a 50-year-old lady with a broken leg near Scarth Gap in very windy conditions. She was stretchered to Gatesgarth by the Team and taken by ambulance to West Cumberland hospital.

Subsequently, one other member of the party was unaccounted for, as he was still on the hill. He was later located safe and well at Seatoller at 19:30hrs.

Members: 28

A fellrunner who was pacing another runner on a Bob Graham Round fell into Gate Gill, Blencathra sustaining head and arm injuries. The Team was called to assist Keswick MRT with the incident. He was treated at the scene, then winched by RAF helicopter and own to hospital.

Members: 15

Incident No 22

Sat 28 May The Team received a report of a 66-year-old lady with a suspected broken shoulder near to Loft Beck, Ennerdale valley. The casualty was treated at the scene and was carried out by stretcher to a convenient location for the North West Air Ambulance to take the casualty to hospital.

Members: 16

Incident No 23

Sat 28 May Whilst previous incident was on-going, the Team was informed of a second incident near Bleaberry Tarn. A 30 Year old male was reported with a broken leg. Team members and the North West Air Ambulance made their way to the scene. An RAF helicopter was requested by the Team to evacuate the casualty. The casualty was winched and own to Carlisle hospital by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer.

Members: 23

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Incident No 24

Incident No 25

Incident No 26

Sun 29 May

Sun 29 May

Wed 1 Jun

Two women from York were reported missing on the Coast to Coast between Ennerdale Bridge and Honister.

The women were located below Brandreth and walked off the hill to Honister Youth Hostel.

Members: 8

Team received a report of a male who had collapsed near Hopegill Head, on Sand Hill. The Team and an air ambulance were tasked to the scene. The casualty was confirmed as a fatality and the body was flown to West Cumberland hospital.

Members: 19

A 52-year-old walker from Oxfordshire was reported with a broken leg on the path that leads to Scarth Gap from Gatesgarth. He was treated at the scene by the Team and was transferred by road ambulance to West Cumberland Hospital.

Members: 17

Incident No 27

Thu 2 Jun A 71-year-old walker from Edinburgh fell sustaining an injured nose, arm and leg with extensive bleeding whilst coming off Haystacks. At 14:30 he refused help from Mountain Rescue, walking himself down. At 16:00 he called the Ambulance Service to say he was making only slow progress. They dispatched a land ambulance and called the team. Meanwhile the casualty had walked down to Gatesgarth and was treated by an ambulance paramedic before being taken for a check-up at West Cumberland Hospital.

Members: 4

Incident No 28

Sun 12 Jun A 51-year-old woman from Bath slipped and fell on the Red Pike path next to Gillflinter Beck, Ennerdale. She sustained a knee injury and was unable to load bear on the leg. The team stretchered the casualty down to the Great North Air Ambulance; she was then flown to West Cumberland Hospital.

Members: 31

Incident No 29

Sun 12 Jun A sheep became stuck on a ledge to the side of High Crag, Buttermere.

It was assisted uninjured to the ground by two team members.

Members: 2

Incident No 30

Sat 25 Jun A solo walker became lost in the Pillar area and called for assistance. Whilst the Team were travelling to the area, the lost person had managed to make his way to the valley bottom where he was met by the Team. He was found to be cold and wet but unhurt.

Members: 15

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Incident No 31

Sun 26 Jun A 67 year old woman from Warwickshire sustained a serious ankle fracture on the descent from High Crag. A passer-by used a GPS which gave the Team a more accurate location of the casualty, half way up Gamlin End. The team treated the fracture at the scene and then stretchered her down to a suitable winching site for a helicopter. An RAF helicopter from Valley in North Wales winched the casualty and took her to West Cumberland hospital.

Members: 22

Incident No 32

Sun 26 Jun A 52-year-old runner who was training for the Lakeland100 event set off from Buttermere lunchtime on 25th June to cover the northern section of the route. He was reported overdue by his wife, who was staying in Ambleside on the morning of the 26th. As mountain rescue teams around the 50 mile route he intended to follow prepared their search plans he was found to be safe and well and in bed at home!

Members: 2 Incident No 33

Tue 28 Jun Shouts for help were reported in the Black Sail Pass and Pillar area. The team searched Pillar, the Black Sail Pass path and Kirk Fell. Nothing was found; assumed to be a well-intentioned false alarm.

Members: 21

Incident No 34

Incident No 35

Fri 1 Jul

Sat 9 Jul

The Team were called to Crummock Lake shore to a 21-year-old male with a reported broken leg. An air ambulance was tasked to the scene but not required. He was stretchered by the Team to the roadside and taken by road ambulance to West Cumberland Hospital.

Members: 24

A 17-year-old male dislocated his knee whilst walking off the hill on third day of Duke of Edinburgh Expedition.

Stretchered down to road and transferred to Ambulance and taken to West Cumberland Hospital Members: 18

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Incident No 36

Tue 19 Jul One sheep was reported stuck on Raven Crag, Fleetwith, Buttermere. The sheep was rescued safely by two Team members.

Members: 2

Incident No 37

Incident No 39

Sun 7 Aug

Sat 24 Sep

A 57-year-old male walker from Lanarkshire was reported as having fallen on Rannerdale Knotts whilst scrambling, sustaining head and leg injuries.

The Team treated the casualty at the scene and lowered him down on a stretcher to the valley. The suspected injuries, a fractured femur, tibia and a head injury were serious enough for evacuation

by RAF helicopter from Boulmer.

Members: 22

A walker suffered a suspected heart attack on Sale Fell, above Wythop. The Team was undertaking a rescue practice in Ennerdale at the time.

Keswick MRT attended the incident.

Members: 22

Incident No 38

Sat 13 Aug The team was called to a 68-year-old male with leg pain while descending Scarth Gap Pass. He was carried from the fell by stretcher to Gatesgarth Farm by team.

Members: 19

Incident No 40

Sat 24 Sep

Incident No 41

Fri 30 Sep Team received a call by mobile phone that a 64year-old male had fallen on the path near Haystacks summit, Buttermere, towards Scarth Gap. The casualty was carried down by stretcher to Gatesgarth farm for onward road ambulance transport to West Cumberland hospital.

Members: 25

A sheep was spotted stuck on a ledge on Shamrock Crag, Pillar Rock in Ennerdale.

The sheep was successfully rescued by team members.

Members: 4

Incident No 42

Tue 4 Oct Cragfast walker on Green Crag Gully, Warnscale. Walker located and roped up to safety by the Team, and escorted off the hill.

Members: 21

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Incident No 43

Sun 16 Oct The team was called at 1:30pm to a female from Hertfordshire who was reported to have slipped on a very muddy path near Crummock Water shore – one mile from Buttermere village. She was treated on scene for a suspected broken ankle and carried by the Team to a waiting NWAS ambulance at Buttermere.

Members: 31

Incident No 44

Mon 24 Oct A 21-year-old walker from West Cumbria sustained an ankle injury on the Crummock Water shore path. She was treated at the scene by two Team doctors then stretchered out to a waiting ambulance at High Park.

Members: 19

Incident No 45

Fri 28 Oct 66-year-old woman from Cockermouth fell over on the Corpse Road above Loweswater. She sustained a suspected broken ankle. Treated on scene by the Team and transported off the fell to an Air Ambulance from Blackpool. She was own to West Cumberland Hospital for treatment.

Members: 17

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Incident No 46

Incident No 48

Sat 5 Nov

Tue 15 Nov

A 56-year-old walker from Cheshire fell 300ft whilst descending Grasmoor sustaining serious injuries. The Team found the casualty in a precarious position hanging onto heather roots. He was secured by team members and treated by the team doctor, then winched from the scene in the dark by an RAF helicopter from Leconfield. He was then flown to Furness General in Barrow. The casualty's two crag-fast companions were located and escorted down the face.

Members: 32

Red object reported floating in Ennerdale Lake spotted by informant at 16:00.

Reported to Police who contacted Team at 20:30 after carrying out their own investigations. Team Leader decided to investigate with limited numbers in daylight. Bankside search of lake carried out and search conducted in Team's boat of bottom quarter of lake.

Nothing found.

Members: 6

Incident No 47

Mon 7 Nov Sheep Rescue from High Crag, Buttermere.

Sheep rescued safely.

Members: 2

Incident No 49

Sun 20 Nov A 74-year-old walker from the Cockermouth area went missing on an organised walk from Honister to Great Gable. After a search

by Cockermouth and Keswick MRTs he was located 22:20 on the Warnscale side of Fleetwith Pike by the Cockermouth Team.

The gentleman was suffering from injuries to his shoulder sustained in a tumble down the hillside. He was helped to a team vehicle and driven back to Cockermouth.

Members: 23

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 21

Husband Mike doesn’t do big cities; in fact he doesn’t do small cities either. He can cope with Carlisle once every two years but he’s never joined me and the girls on trips to stay with friends in London. To be honest, I’ve never pushed it.

Remember Crocodile Dundee when he was taken from the outback to New York? Exactly.

So, when that stiff, cream envelope with the Royal Seal landed on the door mat earlier this year it heralded two big things: an MBE for Mike, (hurrah) – and a trip to London….

He had this great idea we would get up at some ungodly hour on the day of the ceremony and catch the train from Penrith, therefore spending the minimum amount of time in the big smoke.

Luckily there wasn’t a train that left early enough so we headed down the afternoon before.

The pressure was on to show him a good time in the capital. I liaised with Bramble and Millie: “What would Dad like to do most in London: a museum, Tower Bridge, West End show?” “The London Eye”, they chorused. And they were right: the nearest thing to a mountain – high up and away from the crowds. To add to the atmosphere, there was a big full moon alongside as we looked down on London sparkling below.

When the big day dawned, Mike went out for an early morning run round Chelsea and arrived back at the hotel with some croissants. We breakfasted in our pyjamas – didn’t want any stains on our finery.

I had no idea how the day was going to pan out and, to be honest I was slightly concerned that it might all

very formal and a bit boring for the kids. But actually, while there was lots of pomp and ceremony, (Beef Eaters, Gurkhas, Orchestra and an impressive selection of hats), in a huge ballroom, (“Mum, our house could fit in this room three times”, said Millie in a stage whisper), it was also very relaxed.

As we had walked up the steps and into Buckingham Palace, Bramble said, “Mum, can we explore EVERY room that’s not cordoned off?” And so, although we didn’t have a cloak, we went into the grand cloakroom, and although we didn’t need to sit down we went into the sitting room. “Can we go upstairs?” said Millie. “I think the soldier clutching a large silver sword at the bottom of the stairs means probably not.”

As we headed into the ballroom, one of the many charming men in ruffles and spurs said to Millie, aged nine: “Well young lady, you are going to need some elevation. Follow me,” before taking us to a raised seat only metres from the Queen’s throne and with a great view of the action. Sir Brucie’s glamorous wife and daughters later sat beside us. I tried my hardest not to stare.

While it was fun to see Sir Brucie being knighted, it was even better to see a fantastic cross section of folk from all walks of life being awarded for their work. Mike has always said he was delighted to receive his MBE on behalf of Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, not just him. His smile in all the pictures we took in the quadrangle l by TRACEY PARK after the ceremony, says it all.

The photos are a great memory of (first published in the News and Star, a special day – and of course proof that Mike can have fun in a city! n October 2011)

Big City Trip

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 22

GOODFELLOW TYRES, BATTERIES & EXHAUSTS Fairfield Car Park Cockermouth Tel: 01900 823600

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 23

Lingerie, nightwear, swimwear, casual wear and hosiery.

Menswear too!

Gift vouchers available

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CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 24

The story of call-out number 46 Part One It was the afternoon of 5th November when a call-out, about a walker who had fallen 300 feet on Grasmoor Front, halted our family bonfire preparations. Two of the casualty’s companions were also crag-fast somewhere on the face. The Team was called by voicemail and text message and we quickly assembled sufficient numbers for a blue light drive in our Mobile 1 Landrover to Lanthwaite Green. A speedy ascent on foot with the most important gear, (first aid sack, oxygen, crag gear, ropes and Propaq body monitor), took us to the base of Lorton Gully where a walker, who had heard the cries for help, was able to give us a more accurate location for the injured casualty. Five minutes later team doctor Jo Grove and I found him perched over a further 200 feet drop, hanging onto heather roots. Jo quickly climbed down and around to support him from below and I took his arm from above to secure him until more Team members arrived. It was beginning to get dark and going to be a long night. Bonfire plans were now a distant memory…

(STEVE BRAILEY)

Part Two I am pleased to be able to take the opportunity to feedback and thank everyone concerned for their amazing efforts on the day of the accident. I must congratulate you on the wonderful and essential work that you do. I have still got some aches and pains in my back, arms, ribs and legs but they are slowly improving and I am working and managing to get about fine.

On the day of the accident, on my descent along with my friends, I was heading back down from Grasmoor after a great day’s walking, when we met someone who had just arrived from the Lorton Gully direction who advised us to keep to the right on our descent, as the conditions were slippery. We took the advice. I was in front of my two walking companions and lost contact, which is never a good thing to do. I proceeded downwards when, at some point I am not sure when, I lost my footing and ended up somewhere in Lorton Gully. I did not realise just how far I had fallen and was in a lot of pain. I shouted for help and after a while of continuous shouting I heard someone calling back from below near the lake. This person asked my name and if I was injured or trapped. After my reply I was told that help was on its way. I continued shouting to make sure that whoever was coming up would be able to locate me. I was aware that it would soon be dark and things could then be a lot more difficult.

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It did not seem too long before the Rescue Team arrived and quickly secured me. I was given an examination to assess the extent of my injuries and told that a helicopter was needed to remove me from the mountain. The Team were thoroughly professional and gave me great confidence that I would be safely removed and treated for my injuries. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every member who attended the rescue and praise them for the work they do, which goes unnoticed by many people until they are needed.

I was eventually winched up into the helicopter after being thoroughly strapped on to a stretcher, and flown to Furness Hospital. I was examined by doctors and cleaned up by nurses.

Then I was put under some large heaters to warm me up as I had become really cold. After a while I was taken to be xrayed. Then I was told that I was being discharged! This surprised me as I could hardly move and was still in considerable pain. A taxi was called and I was told that I would have to pay for it.

When the taxi came I was taken back to Loweswater where I arrived at about 1.30 in the morning. Whilst in hospital I had been treated well by the people who attended me, but surprised at the decision to discharge me, wearing only the pyjamas bottoms they had given me because my clothes were wet.

(EDDIE)

Part Three While Eddie was being packaged and prepared for the helicopter trip, other Team members located his colleagues and guided them off the crag. When they arrived back at their Loweswater accommodation in a Mountain Rescue vehicle, they realised that they had lost the car keys on the crag and had to arrange for replacement keys to be sent before they could return home!

A couple of weeks later the Team had an evening practice on Grasmoor in atrocious weather and one of the members lost his “satmap”. He guessed where he might have dropped it and so returned the following day to look. On the way up the fell side what should he spot but the missing car keys which we were able to return to the owner.

(JOHN DEMPSTER)

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 26

The Fish Inn cheesewinehandcraftedchocolates

Family-Run Hotel Buttermere Cockermouth Cumbria Tel: 017687 70253 www.fishinnbuttermere.co.uk Info@fishinnbuttermere.co.uk

11 Station Street Cockermouth Cumbria CA13 9QW T: 01900 826427 www.shillsofstationstreet.co.uk

Moota, on the A595 Cockermouth CA13 0QF

THE GARDENER’S GARDEN CENTRE For quality, variety, service and a great coffee shop Tel: 016973 23848 www.mootagardencentre.co.uk

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 27

SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM

Open seven days a week for Indian cuisine at its best It is our great pleasure to welcome you back to The Spice Club Indian Restaurant and Take Away. Our restaurant provides comfortable, friendly surroundings and is located in the attractive town of Cockermouth.

We provide a range of first class menus which are prepared freshly in our own kitchen to ensure our

customers enjoy the very best food experience possible.

Our experienced and friendly staff will be happy to cater for your requirements and all have the necessary food handling and preparation qualifications.

Our premises provide comfortable, friendly surroundings for the

enjoyment of our customers.

We are open 7 days a week and will be happy to cater for special occasions by arrangement.

To make a table reservation or discuss your function requirements please ring: 01900 828288 or 01900 823146.

Book now for your celebration meal at The Spice Club 01900 828288

25-27 Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9LE 01900 828288 www.thespiceclubcockermouth.co.uk

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 28

It all began when the Scottish book of mountain routes popped through the door.

On browsing the book, the coast to coast route appealed to me. Having done the English one three or four times I thought it would be easy!

Next question was who would do it with me? A mate at work was sounded out and keen to do it. Although he was on a different shift he said just get on with it. Good old internet solved a lot of the planning. The date was fixed and off we went. I picked Kenny up at 8.15 to travel to Carlisle to catch the train to Fort William. Twenty-one pounds for the ticket wasn’t bad either!

Day 1 Thirty five miles to Fort Augustus didn’t seem a bad start to the trip. How wrong could I be? A navigational error at Neptune’s Staircase meant we rode about two miles on the left of the canal when we should have been on the right! A quick look at the map and we decided to sneak through someone’s back garden onto a “C” road which would take us back on track. It was now lunch time and we found a barge at Laggan which was a pub for our stop. Now for the last leg – easy we thought. We followed Invergarry’s old railway for most of the way but it was overgrown with lots of tree roots, not good for Kenny’s hybrid bike, that is not recommended for this route. But we were stuck with it and glad to reach the Bed & Breakfast place which overlooked the lochs.

Day 2 This was going to be the hardest day through Corrieyairack Pass. Again we thought that we were going to have trouble when we were told to report to some cabins to get permission to go up the pass. “No problem”, said the man, “But keep a look out for 20 tonne trucks!” It was the start of the Denny Power Lines Project which has been in the news lately. We had 800 metres to climb and a distance of 36 miles. Most of the pass was rideable but the descent was hard. The track was washed away about six inches in places and even my mountain bike was no good. It was walk and push but from Gava Bridge it was pretty easy going to Kingussie for our second night.

Day 3 A total of thirty-nine miles for today, starting at Kingussie on the number 7 route and leaving it at the start of Freshiebridge.

Tarmac and forest road for the next six miles on the west side of the River Feshie to Carnachuin over the Carnachion Bridge or so we thought. There was a sign at Stonetoper saying, “Last bridge over the River Freshie”, yet the book said over the Carnachuin Bridge.

Just as we were deciding what to do a forestry worker came along and advised us that the bridge had been down for about two years. A bit of luck that. So down over the that bridge and again it was push and shove to get to the pass of Freshie Forest. Narrow paths, trees across the route and having to wade the river three times were the other obstacles of the

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 29

Derek and Kenny.

day. Our luck was in though, as we found a fiver on the path. At least it would buy us two half pints! Now it was just a peat walk/ride to just north of the ruin of Bynack Lodge. The last ten miles to Braemar were heaven as were the famous fish and chips!

Day 4 This was going to be our longest day, 57 miles in total and an ascent of Mount Keen. Through Balmoral, Ballater and Dinnit and up Glen Tannar. We knew it was going to be a push on the loose Mounth Road but just as we got to the top of the grouse butts an almighty storm came in and it was advisable to get off the mountain pretty quickly. Down the other side to Glen Mark was great for the

mountain bike but not for the hybrid. I had half an hour wait at Glenmark Lodge. Then a quick inspection of the Queen’s Well and about eighteen miles to the Bed and Breakfast at Edzell.

Day 5 This was a relatively short day of fourteen miles and all on road to Montrose.

We quickly found a café and had a good cup of coffee. A change of clothing and then we set off to find the station. We were booked on the 13.44 to Edinburgh but were allowed on the earlier train which gave us more time at Waverley Station. A quick bite to eat and then we caught the train to Carlisle, but not without problems. We had booked our bikes on, but two other people had beaten us to the cycle area. A word with the guard and he put us right at the front of the train next to the First Class. After a few miles travelling I spotted a couple of empty seats in the First Class cabin so we decided to take them up!

The stewardess then arrived offering us tea, coffee and sandwiches, which we took and enjoyed! Then the guard came along and asked us to leave or pay £80 upgrade! We took the first option.

Overall it was a good four and a half days cycling, but a mountain bike is recommended and not too heavy panniers or rucksacks. l DEREK TUNSTALL and KENNY LITHGOW

Coast to coast: Scottish-style

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Family Severs in memory of Miriam (nee Elwin), a lover of the fells, who in the fifties and sixties was a member of the Team and Secretary to the Cockermouth Mountaineering Club.

Died September 1986, aged 48.

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 31

Proud to support Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team

Kirkstile Inn Loweswater

Cumbria

01900 85219 www.kirkstile.com

I can honestly say that I didn’t really appreciate what I was letting myself in for when I first contacted Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team in September 2010, to offer to make a documentary film following them throughout 2011. I had heard that I was not the first film maker to approach the Team with such a project and I naively assumed that the documentary would be reasonably easy to physically film. My camera was small and quite light, I needed little other equipment and, as a reasonably fit twentynine year old who occasionally visits the gym, I thought that I could keep up. Sadly I have to admit defeat. By the time I jumped out of the mountain rescue vehicle and switched my camera on, the majority of the Team was already half way up the mountain. However, on more than one occasion, I was allowed to rest and found myself dangling off a cliff waiting to be rescued or strapped to a stretcher being lowered from Pillar and hoisted into a waiting RAF Sea King helicopter. This has to be the scariest yet most exhilarating experience of my life and I have previously dived with sharks!

The last twelve months have been a huge eye-opener for me, on the diverse range of work the Team carries out, how alert they are at all times, the commitment required from members and the huge number of practices they undertake in order to be ready for any call-out. Of course I was familiar with the Team through the media coverage during the devastating floods of November 2009 which ravaged Cockermouth and the surrounding area, however I was taken aback by how approachable, helpful, patient and happy all the Team members are. I was invited to practices, which finished with a drink at a pub, to birthday parties and on one occasion treated to an unedited live version of the Team song, “There’s a Call-out”. A performance that will live long in the memory!

Following the Team has made me realise the need for the right equipment on the hills and has influenced what I wear on a day-to-day basis over the past twelve months. Fleeces, waterproofs, walking boots and other outdoor gear have gradually replaced my previous wardrobe of jeans, heels and dresses and my rock climbing equipment has been updated dramatically and since being dangled from High Crag on a practice I vowed never to wear the second-hand harness I bought from ebay again!

As at January 2012 I haven’t yet fully finished the documentary, partly due to a car crash in June and the fact that I got married in December. Therefore filming and editing was put on hold. However I was treated to a surprise Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team guard of honour at my wedding which was easily the highlight of the day, (except for the actual “I do” bit obviously – just in case my husband is reading this!)

Screen testing All in all I have had an amazing time following the Team. Even the climb up a wet and windy Grasmoor in pitch black to film a night search, getting drenched on the top of Fleetwith and skidding down the scree while filming Lord Dubbs were all worth it and I will remember these experiences for a lifetime. The documentary will be finished in 2012 and I will really miss the Team. Hopefully, I will be able to continue working with them filming particular events or acting as a casualty on a practice. You never know, if ever I move closer to Cockermouth I might even apply to become a member. That’s if I ever get fit enough! l TRACEY WALKER

P

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P to ul or lou de t r

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 33

Help support us by buying some of our Team merchandise

Fleeces £18.50 each plus £1.60 p&p each item Please state second choice colour Colour/Size S(40) M(44) L(47) XL(50) Black Sky Blue Bottle Green Royal Blue Navy Red Burgundy Convoy Grey Orange

Quantity

£

NEW! Small torch keyring £4.00 each (or 3 for £10) Quantity: £

Please fill out a Bankers Order and Gift Aid form to help us continue our work > > >

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 34

Baseball caps T-shirts £7.00 each plus £1.00 p&p each item Please state second choice colour Colour/Size S(40) M(44) L(47) Black Sky Blue Bottle Green Royal Blue Navy Red Burgundy Mid-grey Orange

XL(50)

Quantity

£

Sweatshirts £17.00 each plus £1.60 p&p each item Please state second choice colour Colour/Size S(40) M(44) L(47) Black Sky Blue Bottle Green Royal Blue Navy Red Burgundy Light Oxford Winter Emerald White

£7.00 each plus £1 p&p each item Quantity Red Navy £

Car stickers XL(50)

Quantity

£

£1.00 each post free Quantity: £

Key

£1.00 Quant £

Please fill out a B

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 35

Woolly hats £7.00 each plus £1.00 p&p each item Please state second choice colour Colour/Size S(40) M(44) L(47) Black Sky Blue Bottle Green Royal Blue Navy Red Burgundy Yellow Fluorescent Yellow Orange Fluorescent Orange

XL(50)

Other merchandise Item CMRT Mugs – china TT Pads CMRT Pin Badges ½ Size Crayons Small Soft Toys Pens Xmas cards

ckers Keyrings £1.00 each Quantity: £

Quantity

Price £4.00 £3.00 £2.00 £1.00 £1.00 £1.00/7 for £5 pack of 5 for £4 6 packs for £20

£

P+P £1.50 £1.50 46p 75p 75p 46p post free post free

Quantity

£

Name Address Phone Total £ Donation £ Total enclosed £

Please make cheques payable to Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and send with this pullout form to: C. Abbot, High Leys, Rowrah, Frizington, Cumbria CA26 3XD

fill out a Bankers Order and Gift Aid form to help us continue our work >>>

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 36

Support the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team Text a donation on your mobile phone. Text the message CMRT11 £20 to number 70070, and we receive a £20 donation, simple as that! We are charged no fees for this service so we receive every penny of the amount you donate.

Make an on-line donation via the Charities Aid Foundation website; www.cafonline.org

Gift Aid Declaration Form Charity Reg No: 506956 As a charity Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team can reclaim the tax on any donation you make (providing you are a UK tax payer) and increases its value by nearly a third – without costing you a penny. It is one of the most effective ways to help the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team members even more, and enable them to continue their rescues.

I would like Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team to reclaim the tax on all donations that I have made since 6th April 2000 and may make in the future.

Mr/Mrs/Ms_____ Full Name________________________________________ Address__________________________________________ ___________________________ Post Code _____________ Signature__________________________ Date ___ /___ /___ Please note: I should tell Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team if I do not pay an amount of tax that at least equals the tax deducted from my donations and also if I change my name or address.

Can you help the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team by giving a regular amount each month or year to help continue their work? If so, please fill in this form:

Bankers Order Date________________

To ___________________________________________ Bank

Address_________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Post Code ____________________ Name of Account to be debited _____________________________ Account No___________ Please pay to: National Westminster Bank, 23 Station Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria Code No 01-02-17, for credit of CMRT, Account No 08702349 The sum of £ __________ in words:____________________________________________ Commencing ____________________________________________ (Date of first payment) And thereafter every _____________________________________________ (Month/Year) Until ________ _(Date of last payment or until further notice) and debit my/our account accordingly Signed ___________________________________________ Date __________________ Please complete and return this form to: Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team (TR) PO Box 73, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 3AE

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 37

In October 2011 two members of Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, JO GROVE and DEREK TUNSTALL, started to replace the white cross on the crag face of Fleetwith Pike. It had been discovered some six weeks earlier that the cross was starting to fall to pieces. Dr Jo offered his services to make a new one as he had some seasoned oak which had been drying out for about three years. A trip to measure up was made and then later a call to say that it was ready.

We packed the tools and with the new cross on the shoulder, set off to fix it. The old coach bolts came off pretty easily and the coach screws dropped off the base. The old cross was off and the new one offered to the iron work. It fitted like a glove. We marked the holes and using an old-fashioned brace and bit drilled pilot holes for the new screws. We placed the cross

back into position, tightened the screws and gave the cross another coat of paint. Then all that was needed was a new sign. The sign reads: Erected by friends of Fanny Mercer accidentally killed 1887.

The Team’s involvement with the cross goes back to the 1960s when the cross needed painting and Team members offered to do it. It was suggested at the time that, as many people made a detour to visit the cross and that the Team was in need of funds, a collecting box be fitted into the rock face. Mike Stephenson designed the box and a hole was chiselled out in the rock to take it.

The history of the cross is rather a sad one and the extract below from the West Cumberland Times of 17th September 1887 tells the tale.

Fanny Mercer’s cross

Left: Jo and Derek at the site of the cross.

“On Thursday afternoon, 18-year-old Fanny Mercer, one of the servants of Mr BowdenSmith, a master of Rugby School, at present residing at Woodhouse, Buttermere, was spending the afternoon on the hills in the company of Walter Clark, the butler and Clara Tamar another servant. They went round by the eastern side of Warmes Crag to the top, right above Honister Quarries. They were coming down the ridge between the carriage road and the east side of the hill and had got

comparatively near the bottom.

Miss Mercer was the highest on the ridge and Miss Tamar the lowest with Walter Clark between them. Miss Mercer was going to get down to where Miss Tamar was standing and took hold of her alpenstock close to the top. She leapt off the ledge on which she was standing but instead of sliding her hands down the alpenstock, she clung to the top, which was the natural consequence that she was carried further than she anticipated.. She jumped right over Walter Clark’s

head and fell backwards, rolling 130 feet down the steep mountain side. Walter Clark tried to grab her dress but a portion of the garment was torn off and left in his hand. James Kennedt, a farm servant with Mrs. Nelson, Gatesgarth was raking bracken on the opposite side of the hill and saw the party coming down the ridge. On witnessing the accident he ran across the hill and assisted to carry the body down.

She was taken to Gatesgarth without delay and died before nine o’clock.”

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Thank you all!

Above, left to right: Cockermouth School Year 7 (head Mr Walker on the left).

Bob Riley did a sponsored bike ride with his friend Andrew Scrugham, from Lands End to John O’ Groats in aid of three charities, one of which was CMRT. Cockermouth Golf Club.

Right: Sainsburys staff handing over a cheque to the Team.

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 39

Below, left to right: The Subaru Owners Club held a fund-raising event for the Team.

Great North Run donation.

Following the retirement of paramedic Dave Morgan from the NW Ambulance Service, he asked for donations in lieu of a retirement gift – which bought a First Aid sack for the Team.

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 40

ROSE COTTAGE Guest House Lorton Road Cockermouth En-suite accommodation Sunday luncheon Afternoon teas For reservations: 01900 822189 www.rosecottageguest.co.uk

Cumbria Storage Systems Ltd The Complete Storage & Handling Package SUPPORT COCKERMOUTH MOUNTAIN RESCUE • Extensive range of quality Shelving & Racking products • Installation & Maintenance of all Systems Available • Health & Safety Site Surveys carried out by SEMA Approved Inspector Cumbria Storage Systems Ltd 52a Main Street, Cockermouth Cumbria CA13 9LU Tel: 01900 827333 Fax: 017900 827334 Email: sales@cumbriastorage.co.uk www.cumbriastorage.co.uk

37 Market Place, Cockermouth CA13 9NF 01900 823071 Lake District Outdoor offers an extensive range of outdoor clothing and accessories to suit your needs and pockets. Why not pop in and have a look around? Lisa and Jim are always on hand to offer friendly and professional advice. Tea and coffee area now available.

Official outlet for Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team merchandise

Official Paramo supplier to Cockermouth MRT

www.lakedistrictoutdoor.co.uk

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:50 Page 41

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It’s going to be difficult to condense two months of excitement, adventure and disappointment into a short article, without missing lots out, but here goes….

In 2011, I was fortunate to be asked by Tim Mosedale to join a trip he was organising to Everest. This isn’t something I’d really considered but he asked if I would be interested in the trip and, if I was, on a scale of one to ten, how interested. I put myself down as a ‘three’ as it would take quite a bit of setting up. I’d need to arrange the time off work, money to pay for the trip and to buy the necessary kit, before I could commit. I thought getting the time off work would be an issue, but Iggesund were very accommodating, as usual. Eventually everything was in place, and before I knew it the day of departure arrived.

The journey to Kathmandu from Heathrow went smoothly and there was plenty of time to chat to the other people on the trip and get to know them. We spent a short time in Kathmandu before we flew to Lukla. The plan was for a three-week trek into Base Camp

(BC) via three high passes, the Renjo La, Cho La and the Kongma La. The idea was to avoid the main trekking route to BC where possible so as to reduce the risk of getting ill, and to acclimatise on route. This would hopefully mean we would avoid feeling ill when we arrived at BC and that we wouldn’t need as many trips through the ice fall in our quest for the summit, thus reducing the objective risks we faced in amongst the Seracs. This three-week trek worked well. It was fantastic, a trip in its own right. Everybody got on well together and really had a good time, so, when we arrived at BC, we were ready to start the serious business of trying to get to the summit.

We arrived late one afternoon in typical ‘afternoon snowy’ weather. A couple of days were spent settling in and unpacking kit. BC consisted of a tent per person, a mess tent (very luxurious, double or triple skinned to keep it warm inside, carpeted and with a table, chairs and a heater!), comms tent,

Everest: not this time...

kitchen tent as well as a toilet and shower tent. We didn’t want for anything – but good weather.

No sooner had we settled in than the serious business of climbing Everest started.

Initially this was a ‘taster’ foray into the icefall lasting a few hours before we were back in our mess tent for lunch. The following day however was different, up at 04:00 for a 04:30 breakfast leaving by 05:00 just before it got light. The ice fall is an amazing place, fairly flat with small lumps of ice towards the bottom, but the higher up we got, the larger the seracs and steeper it became. It was tough going but before I was expecting it we were at Camp 1.

The first task after getting into the tent was to get the stove going and a brew on.

Rehydrating is so important at altitude. We were sharing tents from here on up, but that’s good as sharing the chore of brewing up and having someone to talk to really helps. We snoozed in the tents for the rest of the afternoon before heating up dinner whilst there was still some light and the temperature was reasonable.

The following day was to be spent making our way up to Camp 2 but the weather wasn’t very settled so we opted to stay at camp 1 another night. Not a lot to do, a bitter wind outside the tent but baking hot inside! I was pleased when the sun went down and we could settle down in our sleeping bags and look forward to the morning. Walking up to Camp 2 the next day was hard work but a delight none the less. The views were something else and the frequent stops to regain my breath were sort of put to good use by taking in the stupendous views that took my breath away (not quite as literally as the altitude did!)

Camp 2, also sometimes referred to as Advanced BC (ABC) was remarkably comfortable and there was even a kitchen tent and mess tent. The kitchen tent is always a hive of activity and chatter with cooks working away and Sherpas keeping warm, fed and hydrated. If you could stand the strong smell of kerosene, it was a great place to be.

There had been talk of spending two nights at Camp 2 at 6400m but as bad

s

t

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weather was coming in again we headed back to BC in the day. I’d really enjoyed my first venture onto the route and the night at Camp 2 had been really comfortable. The next two days were spent relaxing and preparing for our next acclimatisation trip; up to Camp 3 for a night. During this couple of days we had training sessions on the use of oxygen and the drugs needed to treat the two severe types of altitude sickness that often result in death. We also enjoyed lighter Base Camp activities such as eating, drinking, sleeping, emailing, blogging and listening to music. That night I needed to make sure I’d packed everything and get a good night’s sleep, as the next day was the usual early start.

My alarm went off at ten to four but I was already awake. I got dressed as much as possible in my sleeping bag before emerging into the cold and frosty tent.

Grabbing my rucksack and ice axe I headed over to the mess tent for breakfast, which was great, omelette and toast, all washed down by hot chocolate and hot orange juice.

The cooks did us proud, getting up much earlier than we did to have everything ready for 04:30. Half an hour was enough for breakfast and by 05:00 we were heading into the icefall. As it got light and the sun started to rise, I found myself at the front of our little group with Jen. It was time to put on glacier glasses and I took the opportunity to have a drink. However after only a few seconds I was aware I was starting with a migraine. Not something I suffer from frequently but I do seem to get an attack every few years. They are usually not severe

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and I can normally carry on what I’m doing with nobody around me noticing. Anyway the signs were there (mild visual disturbances) and I mentioned it to Jen before carrying on, thinking nothing more of it other than when the headache will start. Less than 10 minutes later and, when Jen said something to me, I was aware my response was more a muttered jumble of words than a reply and Jen noticed immediately. I felt fine, knew where I was and what I was doing but yet I couldn’t talk properly. I tried again, but still what came out of my mouth couldn’t be described as a normal sentence. Jen was now somewhat concerned and quite correctly informed Tim over the radio what was going on. We carried on to camp 1 and by now Tim had passed us and already had a brew on at Camp 1. I had a couple of mugs of tea and then carried on to Camp 2 accompanied by Jen. Shortly before Camp 2 one of our Sherpas met us and insisted on carrying my rucksack despite my protests.

On arrival at Camp 2, I settled into my tent and was presented with a drink by the cook crew. I was still unable to put sentences together as I should but was otherwise able to function normally. I took a couple of paracetamol tablets but they didn’t really help. As the afternoon wore on, the other members of the team arrived and settled into their tents. At dinner I had the soup and then retired to my tent. Tim came shortly after to check on me. He had been in radio contact with our team doctors and had some questions for me. My responses were either a mumbled, ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘err’. It was very frustrating not being able to communicate.

To cut a long story short, I was given various medications and slept on oxygen.

Come the following morning, my headache had gone and I could speak

normally again. I went to breakfast fully expecting to carry on to Camp 3 with the others but, after a radio conversation with our team doctors, I was asked to descend to base camp for medical checks. What’s more I was to be escorted all the way! I protested, but Tim insisted and he and one of the cook boys escorted me to Camp 1. Tim then returned to Camp 2 and I carried on with Ganesh to BC to be met by one of our Sherpas part way down the icefall.

At base camp our doctor Abi, carried out some checks and broke the news that I was to be flown to Kathmandu the following morning. She had been over to consult with the doctors at the Himalayan Rescue Association tent and they all agreed I should go for a scan and to be seen by a doctor there. There was still talk that if all checked out I could return and continue the climb but I was less than hopeful by this stage.

The morning came all too soon and I was in Kathmandu before I knew it. At the airport I was met by a representative from the trekking company who was very helpful and ferried me to the clinic and MRI centre. All the tests came back fine but the doctor at the clinic refused to let me return to Base Camp.

My trip was over.

I broke the news to my parents and Judy by text message and then followed it up with a phone call. I was desperately disappointed and felt a complete failure. I spent the rest of the afternoon in tears lying on the bed in my hotel room. It wasn’t until later the following day that I could bring myself let the rest of my friends know what had happened. All that was left now was to change my flights and make my way home. Not the end I had envisaged. I couldn’t help thinking into the future of the rest of the team making their way home together and celebrating.

But would I give it another go? If time and money permitted, I wouldn’t hesitate. l CHRIS COOKSON

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Never trust a satnav!

opted for a cultural historical day. Briancon has a lot of history to go at and, in fact, is a world heritage site. It is dominated by the ancient citadel constructed by France’s famous military engineer Vauban. His works can be seen in many parts of France but that w kno will klet Briancon has more than its share of them.

Many readers of this boo It .

Alps ch Fren n ther sou the Built in the 17th century at the time of Louis Briancon lies in little a not and rise surp e XIV to keep the Austrians at bay the area som with , was, then one hire of ts pan occu the positively bristles with forts. On a warm that ent, sem amu hire r othe the d esse sunny day you could get really immersed in car leaving Geneva witn und hbo nort the history but in pouring rain these ancient car turning off onto t? rtcu sho a w kno edifices had to share our patronage with the they Did ay! motorw et warmer and drier interiors of the town’s Meanwhile I had stocked up our chal a had ing Hav . ents slightly more recent cafes. with food and refreshm I es pass of lots over cling In typical alpine fashion a day of miserable great day motorcy r othe the of al arriv the was followed by one of glorious iting weather awa erly was eag ed, the sunshine so off we all went, some to cycle nine team members. One car arriv would be and some to climb. The area abounds with occupants joked that the other one got to kly quic had they tly good climbing; one ferrata route climbing in hours yet. Apparen take to it told av, satn oard spectacular fashion the big cliffs right above on-b the grips with the town. The choice of a route described in them to Briancon and followed the a ally actu are re The the guide book as one of the most popular in instructions! Bad move! and ce Fran in e nam that of es number of plac lising their they chose the one near Paris! Rea th and sou mistake they eventually turned . The Italy in es selv somehow found them s Freju the via ce Fran into price of re-entry was and high ly ring wate eyetunnel was up on a perhaps the reason for them ending Route a of ad inste k dead end mountain trac l after ,wel ed arriv lly fina they n Nationale! Whe warm very a to ted trea were dark, they eshed reception from their, by then, well-refr

team-mates. track Next day we expected to be back on rock es, pass ing cycl : nda age k’s of the wee and climbing, via ferrata ridge walking through. pass ce watching the Tour de Fran greeted were we n whe ay Imagine our dism of fresh Lots ! rees deg six and rain vy by hea utiful but bea snow made the mountains look e Stev July. in cted it was not what we expe e som do to ed rmin dete and James were e the pass storming on their bikes and chos ed, eed succ y Col du Granon as a starter. The and toes and ers fing en but at the cost of froz the party chattering teeth! The remainder of

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France was a bit of a risk but John and I shared it with only one other group and were rewarded with superb situ ations on warm, dry rock. At the top we found alpine meadows and butteries of sizes and numbers that were breathtaking.

The pattern of the week had been established with everyo ne out each day either cycling or climbin g and returning with plenty of tales to tell ove r a pint or two.

An exception to this wa s the arrival of the Tour de France. It was jus t an amazing spectacle with crowds ten deep along the streets waiting for hours to see the superb athletes go by. Even tho ugh we chose to spectate on a steep hill we could not believe the speed at which the y passed. Hardly time to click the shutter!

The week also sped by only too quickly but, as usual when a group from the Team goes away, it was a one of gre at fun and activity. I can seriously recomme nd Briancon for a visit but if you do go – be car eful with the satnav! l BOB LIDDELL

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A fund raising

decided to So after lots of umming and erring I th Coast Sou The – lon triath a into enter myself ted to wan triathlon to be precise. I had always put my to time was do a triathlon and thought it thoughts into action.

It would As it was my first triathlon I thought money hip be a great reason to raise sponsors cue Res ntain Mou deciding that Cockermouth the of ients recip ect perf Team would be the ily, the money. They helped my friend’s fam trained for I . them help to ted wan I so , es’ Holm – lon triath about two months before the g for goin , after ing cycl , swimming before work t spen also I p. grou run park l loca runs with my s 1970 this time helping my dad do up his with the racing bike so that it could compete nst. agai g racin be other bikes I would up the The race day came and we packed where the ford Sea to way our on were and car we got a flat race was to take place when ‘bam!’, it was ght thou I ing train tyre. After months of the AA and e venu the from s mile over. We were to us, get to said they would take over an hour dad my ed help I up so as a pre-triathlon warm just – tyre the ged chan we jack up the car and in time. that When we arrived there were rumours be to was race the swimming section of the

Triathlon

cancelled because it was too dangerous. After various discussions the swim was kept but shortened to 500m. The swim was first and easily the most tough – the waves were huge and everyone was swimming next to you, beside you – imagine millions of arms and legs all around you and giant waves pushing against you and lots of nice seaweed/strange plants. After the swim I ran into the bike transition and started on my 20km cycle. My 70s bike did me well and my flat coca cola which I had to keep me energised (a tip I learnt from my friend who is a triathlon pro) once the cycle was done I racked up my bike and started the 5km run which was right by the sea.

I have always loved long distance running so this was my favourite part – not to mention I was nearing the end of my race. With a sprint finish I was done and totally wiped out. I came second in my age group and 18th overall in the ladies group. I have also caught the triathlon bug and intend to do many more next year. I am so happy the money went to Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and urge anyone thinking of challenging themselves in an activity of sorts to get yourself sponsored and send it to these guys because all the money helps! l VERITY PEMPERTON

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“Mobile 3 is en route, we have X, Y, Z, and er, Doctor Tom.” My ears pricked up a little more at the next radio communication from base as it transpired that I was the only doctor going to be on the hill as the team headed to rescue a man in his 60s who had apparently collapsed. Worse still he had a long medical history and the initial feeling was of a possible heart attack. This was only my fourth time out on a call-out, a mere probationer and already I had stumbled into a potentially serious situation. More importantly, I was a long way from the relative comfort of the A&E department to which I was accustomed, with its warm, private cubicles, helpful nurses, cupboards full of diagnostic gear and machines that go ‘Bing!’

For the first time, I had to try to examine a patient who was already strapped in to a stretcher and being towed down the hill, while being watched by 20-odd burly men who had sprinted up the hill twice as fast as I could. It all ended well and the patient lived to tell the tale, but it was an unnerving situation for me in my first ‘far from help’ medical encounter, albeit one that was well within my competency.

From day 1, probationers Tom (me), Phil and Chris have been encouraged to get stuck in.

Every contribution is valid and listened to, any skills we have are accepted if the need arises.

We began the year attending the regular training sessions at the base and on the fells/crags.

Once the team felt we were safe/capable on the hill, we were added to the call-out list. Our first call-out came at the end of an eight-hour training day one Sunday as we were heading home for tea. A lady was in difficulty on Red Pike with a bad ankle injury and needed to be evacuated by helicopter. The Land Rovers were turned around and empty stomachs started to gurgle as we headed back up the hill in the wind and rain to evacuate the unfortunate lady. It was a rude awakening for the probationers and I certainly

‘Already I had to n i d e l b m u t s a potentially serious situation”

made a mental note to carry a spare lunch in my rucksack, just in case!

The probationer assessment culminates in the annual training weekend at Gillerthwaite, when the team members head away to Ennerdale to be put through their paces in various scenarios. It is the ideal opportunity to test the probationers in a multitude of ways in this remote setting. We were all pitched against each other in wide range of imaginative tasks, designed to assess our technical ability, teamwork, attention to detail and ability to think on the spot.

We all got stuck in, in attempts to impress, and I think we did alright. I think Gillerthwaite was the perfect opportunity to get to know the team well. Phil won the final task, hands down with an ability to seemingly levitate, such was his technical skill.

All in all, it’s been a thoroughly enjoyable year, training alongside a team that shows great professionalism, but is also friendly with good spirit of camaraderie. They are quite a sociable bunch and relish an opportunity to let the hair down whenever possible and we look forward to continuing our adventures with them in 2012. l TOM GALLAGHER

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Above – On High Crag using the new multipurpose device for lowering.

Right – Trying different tie-on methods for winching the new stretcher.

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CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:51 Page 56

What the casualties have said!

“The whole thing with the vehicles and the ambulance transfer was organised to perfection and everybody was so friendly and understanding.”

“The speed of response and the professionalism of the Mountain Rescue Team was outstanding and we are extremely grateful for the help that was provided.”

“In these days of compensation culture and, ‘What’s in it for me?’ attitudes, the sustained effort made by your volunteers is a shining example to us all.”

“I have never stopped thinking about a truly caring group of people who gave up what they were doing to come and rescue me, stuck up a mountain with a broken ankle. You deserve all the praise in the world for what you do.”

“You were all truly amazing.”

“We and do a

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“Well done lads and lasses – you do a great job.”

“It was awe-inspiring to watch the well planned and executed rescue process, undertaken at considerable speed in such challenging circumstances.”

“The speed of your response was amazing – we were expecting maybe two or three chaps to turn up after a couple of hours, but within the hour I lost count of the number of rescuers that arrived. They just kept on coming.”

“The Team appeared and took control of the situation with dedication, commitment and professionalism.”

“The physical skill and abilities of the Team on the mountain side were simply extraordinary.”

“The rescuers themselves were professionally focussed and supportive.”

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:51 Page 58

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First done way back in 1932 by Bob Graham, hotelier of Keswick, Cumberland, at the age of 42, the Bob Graham Round of 42 peaks has become a testing ground for the supremely fit. Each summer around 100 of the most highly tuned ultra-distance fell runners will attempt the 27,000 ft of ascent within the allotted 24 hours. Only one in three will return to the Keswick Moot Hall before the clock runs down.

Most of the rest will be back again...! Have you got what it takes? ..... and to do it in winter? Well, two members of Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team – MIKE PARK and ANDREW GRAHAM did on The Winter Solstice, 21st December 2011 and here is their diary of the event.

Mike Park’s diary: On the lead up to the day the weather hadn’t been particularly kind, with a very wet and windy mild December.

The weekend before we had a good dump of snow which had left a complete covering above 2000 feet with drifts of up to six feet deep on some of the paths. I had spent the Sunday “skinning” up Skiddaw and skiing off the back all the way down to Skiddaw House. Then milder weather had set in melting some snow but leaving a cover of very wet heavy snow up to a foot deep over 2500 feet.

The forecast for the Wednesday/Thursday was for westerly winds, gusting up to 30 mph over the tops, occasional heavy rain showers with extensive hill fog. These weren’t ideal weather conditions but I felt they were acceptable as it would be the snow cover that would be the biggest hindrance to our attempt. In hindsight, it was a case of “we didn’t choose the day, the day chose us” – we were looking for a bit of a challenge.

We both had done the Round previously in the summer of 2008, so we knew what to expect with

regards to the tiredness and the highs and low points. The challenge to me would be spending so much time in the dark, the extra pressure for both the pacers and myself to keep the navigation right, and being able to keep going fast enough through the snow.

What didn’t help at the start was, knowing that an ultradistance runner from the US had set out 18 hours ahead of us with a good team of pacers, and he was struggling round but still going! Oh well, let’s get started...

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Leg 1: start 8pm Big crowd to see us off at Moot Hall, then out into the black, steady going up Jenkin Hill and we’re in amongst the snow. The wind picks up as we get onto the ridge, visibility is poor, you have to shout to be heard and there is a risk of losing each other. We get the line right off Skiddaw (3054 ft) to Hare Crag but end up “snaking” a bit in the bottom. No problems coming off Great Calva (2265 ft) and we all form a huddle to cross the river in the bottom. Striding up Blencathra we leave a couple of pacers as they are struggling to keep up.

The winds howling on the top of Blencathra (2846 ft) so we drop off fast and try and keep to the right of Hall’s Fell Ridge. Just a bit too far right and we end up having to contour left through leg sapping snow and heather to get to the base of the ridge. Arrive at Threlkeld only three minutes down on schedule, but I feel we had to work hard to achieve this. Full change of clothes (this was a big help), soup, bread, coffee, flapjack and back on the hill.

72 miles, 42 peaks, 27,000 feet in 24 hours

Leg 2: set off 12.15am

Excellent pacing up Steel Fell (1814 ft) and then an hour of foggy blackness to High Raise (2631 ft), stomping through flood and avalanche debris.

Daybreak came upon us on Martcrag Moor, just before Rosset Pike (2132 ft). This was more of a transition from black fog to grey fog, but it did lift my spirits a bit. The ascent of Bow Fell would be described as interesting, as the snow was in abundance and rather precariously perched. A pacer took a 30 feet slide but this just seemed to inspire him to carry on with us and do the next leg too! (Probably concussion).

Told at the top of Bow Fell (2959 ft) that we were over an hour down on schedule.

Decided that this wasn’t acceptable and gave myself a good talking to. Determination, if not necessarily progress, was heightened from this point. The ground from here to Scafell and down to Broad Stand was troublesome – in the summer it’s boulder hopping and today was shin bashing through the snow. Howls into the fog told us that our ever-reliant crew had set up a rope on Broad Stand and had stayed at their post, despite our considerable delay and the very uncomfortable weather. Broad Stand with a rope was straight forward, but we weren’t expecting to have to kick steps for the 400 feet ascent onto Scafell (3208 ft).

Dropped out of the grey down into Brackenclose, another full change of kit, some pasta bolognaise and coffee again.

s

Steady along the Dodds, (Great Dodd 2812 ft, Watson Dodd 2589 ft, Stybarrow Dodd 2766 ft) with the wind giving you a good indication when you were near a top – because you had to start shouting and bending!

Dropped another pacer around Helvellyn (3112 ft) after checking he was going to be OK. Lot more patches of ice about and the snow was getting deeper in places. Progress off Dollywagon Pike (2815 ft) was assisted by the snow, but I hate that transition belt between snow and bracken. Tough going both up and down Fairfield (2864 ft) , minutes were being lost despite still feeling strong.

Arrive at Dunmail 22 minutes down on schedule but everybody well and accounted for. Full change of clothing again, bacon and egg in a teacake, cup of coffee, back to the hill.

Leg 3: set off 5.15am

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s

We were now one hour and twelve minutes down on the schedule! Didn’t sit around long enough to even give “jacking-in” a thought.

Leg 4: set off 12.18am Andrew got a head start on me when we left Brackenclose and steadily pulled away from me going up Yewbarrow (1985 ft). We had talked about this on a few occasions leading up to this attempt and I was grateful I had given this situation some forethought; consequently it was just a case of “head down and run your own race”. Leg #4 is my “back-yard” and I have paced one or two people through this leg and I knew what

time you can pull back if you can coax the runner. Peter and Nick did an excellent job sorting this leg, constantly pushing a variety of snacks under my nose.

We were gaining lots of minutes on the way to Steeple (2687 ft) and passed Andrew coming back off Steeple as we ascended up on the “dog-leg”.

He was six minutes up on me so he had found his second wind as well. Mucked up on the “Ennerdale Race” route heading to Pillar (2927 ft) so lost a couple of minutes – a reminder to keep focussed!

Joss’s gully on to Kirk Fell (2631 ft) had some soft snow in the bottom, but the going was definitely better than the previous 16 hours. Head

Leg 4: set off 12.17am Diary by Andrew Graham from leaving Wasdale and starting Leg 4.

I managed to get out a minute ahead of Mike with Jo Grove and Martin Pickavance pacing, with the encouragement that we were only half an hour down and that we could claw back some time on the last two legs, which we know well and the schedule is a little more lenient.

Good progress up Yewbarrow (1985 ft) and back into the clag on the summit, but we didn’t hit the snow until well up Red Pike (2710 ft) and there was an odd section to kick steps through. The rain and wind picked up and we put waterproofs back on before Steeple (2687 ft), where I

Andrew enjoys the company of supporting runners in Keswick.

passed Mike whilst he was heading down to the summit.

In and out of windy clag and rain and poor visibility. Too low on the race line below Black Crag – could not find the track due to deep snow and then a scramble back up to Pillar (2927 ft). We took Kirk Fell (2631 ft) by the ridge instead of Joss’s gully which put us straight on the fence line to the summit, but we lost ground on

torches back on at the top of Gable (2949 ft) and some more shin-smashing snow to deal with. Back into the black caused a couple of “navigational twitches” and I was getting to feel the mental stress again. We bounced into Honister 18 minutes up on the leg and now only 54 minutes down on the schedule, a two minute cup of coffee in the rain and back up the fell.

Leg 5: set off 17.14pm Andrew had flown through Honister 20 minutes ahead of me so fast only a few pacers had noticed and set off with him. I seemed to have picked up a coach-load of pacers for this final leg. It was great to see so

the descent with dark looming and clagged out.

Martin, my pacer/food carrier was struggling with the pace and we thought we had lost him, but a pleasant surprise to find he had contoured around Kirk Fell to meet us for the start of Gable (2949 ft), which was an energysapping, blocky ascent. A fair bit of snow again on the now dusk descent kept us on the main path as opposed to the race line, but we could not afford errors now. It was 4pm on the summit so we had made up over 20 minutes on the leg.

Too far west coming off Green Gable (2628 ft), but we picked up the tarns below Brandreth (2346 ft) and made out for Grey Knotts (2287 ft) in fair going other than everpresent dark mist.

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many friends, and it was really appreciated and I would have loved to have enough mental energy for a “crack”, but I had now entered a zone of concentration which was focussed on the Moot Hall steps.

The wind had picked up again, indicating the approach to the final few tops. In amongst the crowd, I now had the “two Pauls”, Paul Norman keeping 100m ahead of me showing the way, and Paul Twyford on my shoulder, protecting me from the wind and feeding the drink.

We reached the road at Little Town with 50 minutes to spare to get under the 24 hours. Pete Dawson did a fantastic job of gently

persuading me to open the throttle. I kept increasing the speed, wondering when my engine would stall, but failure was not an option. Portinscale Swing Bridge crossed with 16 minutes left on the clock, then Keswick Main Street, a stumble, but back on my feet and running into the Market Square and a mass of people cheering. Up them steps at Moot Hall and I was out of that black tunnel.

Handshakes, hugs and kisses, congratulations from Andrew Graham who had just completed a mid-winter Bob

Graham in 23:37, another “grand day on the fell”.

I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to my family and friends for putting them through so much stress and anxiety in pushing it right up to the wire. I completed a midwinter Bob Graham on the winter solstice in 23 hours 57 minutes… just in time for a pint!

The whole day will always be etched in my mind , even now four weeks later writing this, I have forgotten the pain, but always remember the day as a true team effort. n Andrew and Mike arrive at Moot Hall, with three minutes to spare!

Leg 5: set off 17.00pm I decided to go straight through at Honister, so just one pacer, Richard Greenwood joined Jo and me with a flask and some boiled potatoes to see us up Dale Head (2470 ft). I had no idea where Mike was now and it was impossible at times to make out the pacers’ lights, so there was no way of checking on Mike’s progress. An odd patch of snow but mostly good going now, just wet and dark and the ever-present westerly making communication impossible at times.

Jo and Richard kept the food and drink coming and escorted me on and over Robinson (2418 ft) and a good line down to the dam – and so good to see a crowd and hear cheers at

Newland church. I dumped my waterproofs and kept going, just with some fluids and a great feeling to think this was actually possible if I could keep the pace up. Joined by our friends and kids for the run back into town was a real (if somewhat emotional) pleasure. More cheers and an enormous crowd of family, friends, pacers, navigators and all manner of helpers at the steps of the Moot Hall. At last a sit down, a warm

jacket, a hug and drink. It was 19.36 on the winter solstice. I had previously completed the round on the summer solstice in 22.52 in 2008. I had now completed the winter solstice in 23.36.

Like Mike, I am truly grateful to all those who helped. We are a couple of local lads in a small but incredibly strong community and that sticks out. I could not have done this alone and, not without Mike. Thank you! n

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Crown Street Cockermouth Tel: 01900 823591 The Trout Hotel offers 49 superbly appointed bedrooms including two visually stunning Suites comprising of lounge, bathroom and bedroom.

The Derwent Restaurant Our award winning dining room offers traditional classic cuisine every evening from 7pm until 9.30pm and traditional three course Sunday Lunch ÂŁ18.95.

Bar meals are served every day in the comfortable lounges or in the garden overlooking the river Derwent in warm weather.

The Terrace Bar & Bistro Whether you wish to sit outside or in, The Terrace is the place to be. Adjacent to Wordsworth House we offer relaxed and informal surroundings to enjoy coffee, a bottle or glass of wine or a full meal from our bistro menu. Open every day, last orders for food at 9.30pm.

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:51 Page 65

Discover the

Quince & Medlar Restaurant Fine vegetarian dining Open Tuesday to Saturday evenings Please call 01900 823579 to reserve your table

13 Castlegate, Cockermouth CA13 9EU www.quinceandmedlar.co.uk

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:51 Page 66

COCKROCK is proud to support the Team.

Last year we raised £2,000 each for Cockermouth Mountain Rescue and the Great North Air Ambulance and have raised £44,000 in total for them both.

20th–22nd July 2012 www.cockermouthrockfestival.com

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:51 Page 67

1761, Cockermouth 4play Cycles, Cockermouth Art & Craft Shop, Cockermouth Banks, Cockermouth Bassenthwaite Sailing Club Bassenfell Manor, Bassenthwaite Belle View Inn, Cockermouth Billy Bowman Music Shop, Cockermouth Bitter Beck Pottery, Cockermouth Bitter End, Cockermouth Black Bull, Cockermouth Black Sail YH, Ennerdale Bleach Green collection box Bothy, Gillerthwaite Bowness Knott Bridge Hotel, Buttermere Bush Inn, Cockermouth Buttermere YH Cockermouth Cricket Club Cockermouth School Coffee and Cream, Cockermouth Commercial Inn, Dearham Crag Farm, Buttermere Dalegarth House, Buttermere Derwent House Surgery, Cockermouth Derwent Lodge, Embleton Dockray Meadow, Lamplugh Ennerdale YH Fagan’s, Cockermouth Fairfield Garage, Cockermouth Fanny Mercer Fell & Rock Club, Buttermere Firns, Cockermouth Fish Inn, Buttermere Fox & Hounds, Ennerdale Galloping Horse, Harrington Gatesgarth Van Golf Club, Cockermouth Grange Hotel, Loweswater Grey Goat, Cockermouth Greyhound Inn, Bothel Gun Shop, Workington Harrison’s Butchers, Cockermouth Higham Hall, Bassenthwaite Honister YH Hundith Hill Hotel, Lorton Hunters Bar, Cockermouth Inglenook Caravan Park, Lamplugh Jennings brewery shop, Cockermouth

COLLECTION BOXES The Team is very grateful to the people and places who display our boxes. New box holders are very welcome.

Please contact Derek Tunstall, who will be happy to supply one, on 01946 861051 or 07841 370644 Julie’s Sandwich Bar, Cockermouth Junipers, Cockermouth Kingfisher Hotel, Cockermouth Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater Lake District Outdoors, Cockermouth Lakeland Crafts, Buttermere Lifestyle Fitness & Shapers Gym Lifestyle Repairs, Cockermouth Lily & Co, Cockermouth Limelighting, Cockermouth Link House B & B, Embleton Liz Hunter, Cockermouth Low Park, Loweswater Maureen at Gatesgarth Melbreak Hotel Mitchells, Cockermouth Moota Garden Centre Munchies Sandwich Bar, Cockermouth New Bookshop, Cockermouth New House Farm, Lorton Number 17, Station Street, Cockermouth Old Mill Inn, Dearham Old Posting House, Dean One Stop, Cockermouth Ouse Bridge, Bassenthwaite Paper Shop, Cockermouth Parkside Hotel, Cleator Party HQ, Cockermouth Pet Shop, Cockermouth Percy House Gallery, Cockermouth Pheasant Hotel, Bassenthwaite Quince & Medlar, Cockermouth Rose Cottage B&B, Cockermouth Royal Yew Tree Inn, Dean Sainsburys (inside), Cockermouth

Sainsburys (outside), Cockermouth Scales Farm, Embleton Sheila Richardson Shepherds Arms Shills, Cockermouth Ship Inn, Dovenby Simple Drinks, Cockermouth Ski & Outdoor Warehouse, Longtown Slatefell Stores, Cockermouth Snooty Fox, Uldale Sole it, Lock it, Workington Southfield School, Workington Stork Hotel, Rowrah Swan Inn, Cockermouth Swinside End, Lorton The Brow, Lorton The Howe, Mosser The Old Vicarage, Lorton Tithe Barn, Cockermouth Tourist Information, Cockermouth Travis Perkins, Cockermouth Walkinshaw Garage, Workington Wellington Farm, Cockermouth Wheatsheaf Inn, Lorton Wheatsheaf Inn, Embleton Whinlatter Visitor Centre Whitehaven Rambling Club, Whitehaven Wild Duck, Branthwaite Winder Hall, Lorton Wishes, Cockermouth Woodhouse Guest House Wordsworth Hotel, Cockermouth Wyndham Caravan Park, Cockermouth

CMRT-AnnualReport2012_print 03/04/2012 18:51 Page 68

If you need mountain rescue, dial 999, ask for Cumbria Police, then mountain rescue

www.cockermouthmrt.org.uk

Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, PO Box 73, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 3AE