Mountain Rescue report 2018 – Cockermouth (Lake District, UK)

AnnualReport 2018

Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team

64th Annual Report TeamOfficials TeamMembers

President: Maureen Richardson Vice-Presidents: Dr Edward Holloway Mike Thompson Chairman: Martin Pickavance The Team Team Leader: responsible for Andrew McNeil rescuing Treasurer: people and Jeff Haslam animals from Secretary: the Lorton, Gwyn Lewis Loweswater, Deputy Team Leaders: Buttermere Chris Cookson and Ennerdale Martin Pickavance areas Lead Quartermaster: Ian Cousins Training Officer: Chris Cookson Major Incident Officer: Mike Park Medical Officers: Dr Tom Gallagher Dr Jo Grove Dr Mark Steel Cockermouth Dr Peter Winterbottom Mountain Rescue Radio Officer: Team Richard Greenwood PO Box 73 Auditor: Cockermouth Cumbria Gibbons & Co. CA13 3AE Honorary Members: Maurice Anderson Secretary: Chris Abbot Gwyn Lewis Gwyn Lewis gwyn.lewis@ cockermouthmrt. Paul Twyford Derek Tunstall MBE org.uk George Williams 01900 827771 Founded in 1953, a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation).

No 1161672.

Scott Ashworth (Teacher) Dave Blanden (Building Surveyor, retired) Steve Brailey (Self Employed) John Brooks (Outdoor Instructor) John Bulman (Health & Safety Advisor) Russell Butler (Teacher) Laura Connolly (Physiotherapist) Neale Connolly (Outdoor Instructor) Chris Cookson (IT Developer) Ian Cousins (Software Developer) Jim Coyle BEM (Estate Manager, retired) Pete Dawson (Handyman) John Dempster MBE (Head Teacher, retired) Tom Gallagher (General Practitioner) Phil Gerrard (Project Manager) Simon Goodman (Teacher) Andrew Graham (Chartered Surveyor) Richard Greenwood (Chartered Engineer) Jo Grove (General Practitioner) Mike Gullen (Resilience Manager) Mike Hadwin (Manager, retired) Jeff Haslam (ICT Advisor, retired) Richard Hellen (Dental Surgeon) Simon Hunter (Environmental Manager) Steve Jones (Dental Surgeon) Hugh Jordan (Travel Agent) Richard King (Deputy Head Teacher) Bob Liddell (Head Teacher, retired) Nick Lumb (Outdoor Instructor) Rod Moore MBE (Engineer, retired) Andrew McNeil (Building Surveyor) Carolyn Otley (Community Development Worker) Mike Park MBE (Land Surveyor) Martin Pickavance (Teacher) Dan Roach (Sales and Marketing Assistant) Scott Stanley (Teacher) Mark Steel (General Practitioner) Chris Steele (Head Teacher) Rob Stein (Construction Manager) Ed Strong (Teacher) Tom Strong (Heating Engineer) Steve Whitehurst (Orthodontist) Peter Winterbottom (General Practitioner) Simon Woodbury (Technical Manager)

Probationary Team Members Tom Durcan (Project Manager) Alan Littlefair (Project Manager) Dan Parsons (Bicycle Repairer) Tom Woolley (Outdoor Instructor) Mario Yeomans (Teacher)

www.cockermouthmrt.org.uk

Printed by: H&H Reeds, Penrith Design & production donated by Denise Bell and Andy Smith/www.smithplusbell.com/info@smithplusbell.com Photography © CMRT unless otherwise stated 2 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

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Over the course of 2017 Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team (CMRT) was called out to a total of 69 incidents. Details of these call-outs can be found later in this report and also on the Team’s website and on Facebook.

It’s great that so many people show such interest in what the Team gets up to and the comments and messages of thanks and encouragement that the Team receives are really appreciated.

Very occasionally however, either through social media or during ‘real’ face-to-face conversations, people will make unfair comments about the competence of the people that have been rescued, accusing them of taking unnecessary risks. When this happens I am always quick to point out that in reality the vast majority of the people that our Team go out to rescue are experienced, well-equipped and well-prepared individuals who have just had an unfortunate accident or become lost in challenging conditions.

Last summer proved to be an incredibly busy one for many of the mountain rescue teams in the Lakes and on several occasions CMRT were called out to support our neighbouring Teams on searches and prolonged rescues. They all operate in a similar way to CMRT, with unpaid volunteers providing a world-class rescue service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This

Chair’s Report can mean that during busy periods Team members find themselves stretched very thinly as they attempt to balance their Team commitments with family life and paid work.

At the height of the tourist season last year the term ‘avoidable rescues’ started to be used increasingly by the media and MR Teams in reference to call-outs where the individuals or groups involved needed to be rescued not because of

Martin Pickavance

some unforeseen disaster but because they had failed to take basic precautions before heading out into the mountains.

So what can you do to ensure that your great day out in the fells doesn’t features in next year’s Team report, or worse? l Know your limitations and pick a route that’s appropriate for your experience, fitness levels and skills. If you’re in a group, pick a route that everyone can enjoy. >>>

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 3

>>> l Check the weather and

know what time it’s due to get dark. Make sure you have appropriate clothing with you for when the weather changes, and carry a headtorch and whistle just in case. l Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to get back. Give them a ring to tell them when you are down safely off the hill, before you go for a pint! l Take a map and compass with you and know how to use them. If you know

BE SAFE

navigation isn’t your forté consider hiring an instructor to take you out for a day and show you some basic map and compass techniques.

Members of CMRT have been dropping everything to head out into the hills to go to the aid of people who have become injured or lost since 1953. While being involved with the Team is certainly rewarding it is also an enormous commitment.

Last year the Team was fortunate enough to be able to welcome Scott, Dan, and Rob into the Team. Having completed their probationary period in the spring these new Team members are now

l Know your limitations and pick a route that’s appropriate for your experience, fitness levels and skills. If you’re in a group, pick a route that everyone can enjoy. l Check the weather and know what time it’s due to get dark.

Make sure you have appropriate clothing with you for when the weather changes, and carry a headtorch and whistle just in case. l Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to get back, and remember to give them a ring to tell them when you are down safely off the hill, before you go for a pint! l Take a map and compass with you and know how to use them.

If you know navigation isn’t your forté consider hiring an instructor to take you out for a day and show you some basic map and compass techniques.

4 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

playing an increasingly active role on call-outs. In addition to these ‘youngsters’ we have also welcomed back two former Team members – Rod and Richard – and received a free transfer from Wasdale Team in the form of Mike Gullen.

In 2017 we also had four Team members make the very difficult decision to leave the Team or step down from the call-out list.

Chris Steele, who joined the Team in 2011, had to work hard on his climbing and mountaineering skills before he could become a full Team member but as with everything he does he threw himself wholeheartedly into Team life.

Chris isn’t leaving the area, but with a young family and a new job as the headteacher of a local primary school, he has a lot on his plate at the moment

and didn’t feel that he had the time and energy to continue to give the Team the full commitment that he knows it requires.

Andrew Graham joined the Team in 2001 but he had previously been a member of Wasdale Team for a short spell. On one of the first rescues that I attended, Andrew volunteered to be the barrow boy for a dangerous and difficult rescue that involved a 300m lower down Lorton Gully on Grasmoor. In his time with the Team, Andrew has also provided invaluable advice on all things related to property and land ownership.

Thankfully he has offered to continue to act as an advisor to the Team in these matters, an offer that I am very grateful to him for.

Simon Goodman has taken the very brave decision to move with his family out to New Zealand.

Simon joined the Team in 2002 and in addition to attaining his casualty care certificate also elected to

take the Medicine in Remote Areas course. It was while undertaking this training that Simon, after trying several times in each arm, eventually managed to successfully cannulate a very pale and bloody Mike Park.

And finally, John Dempster, who after 61 years of involvement with the Team has also made the decision to step aside this year and has accepted the Team’s offer to become an honorary member. In addition to this I am also very happy to say that John has accepted the position of president of LDSAMRA (Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association). His insight into the inner workings and history of mountain rescue in the Lakes continues to be invaluable and greatly appreciated.

I’m going to finish off by saying a big thank you to some of the people and organisations who keep the Team running. It currently costs around £60,000 a year to keep the

Team operating and every penny donated is greatly appreciated. Although there are too many people to thank individually I would like to take this opportunity to say a special thank you to Graham and Caroline of Yates brewery.

The brewery produced its last pint in 2017 but, for as long as I have been in the Team, Yates have always supported us and, on occasion, provided liquid refreshments for our annual training weekends in Ennerdale.

I would also like to acknowledge the fantastic support we continue to receive from Cumbria Police, the Fire and Rescue Service, the North West Ambulance Service, the Great North Air Ambulance, The HM Coastguard Helicopter Crews, and the other Lake District Mountain Rescue Teams.

And finally, thanks again to the partners and families of our Team members for their tireless support and understanding. We really couldn’t do it without you.

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Team Leader’s Report

Next year I’ll have been a member for 20 years! Still a pup within this Team’s distinguished membership I know – but still! In another 20 years all my three boys will be adults – and hopefully will have left home!

I recently dug out the Team report from my first year, in 1998. (Andrew McNeil and Kirk Outhwaite listed as probationers).

I remembered the probationers’ climbing practice – a summer evening’s ascent of Lorton Gully and a hurried discussion me and Kirk had as to whether messrs Park and Brailey would be happy with a sling, er, larks-footed through a wire. Quite rightly, they weren’t too impressed.

Kirk (who sadly is no longer with us) became a great friend, and, along with husband Ric, was the inspiration behind me training a search dog and joining SARDA Lakes.

The Team Leader’s report from 1998 makes interesting reading with ‘base computers, pro-pac, defibrillators’, and ‘full body splints’ being described as ‘the future’. Interestingly, Jim said that ‘we need to be fully trained’ to use these pieces of equipment. They are all standard bits of kit today which we use regularly.

Equipment, techniques, both technical and medical, and the areas of rescue work that we get involved in expands apace today.

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Andrew McNeil

The level and amount of training we need to do increases accordingly. I am keen to ensure that what we do in the fells is, and remains, our primary focus.

The Team responded to 69 call-outs last year. We have been involved in protracted multi-team searches, cragfast benighted climbers on Pillar Rock and a tale of two Godfreys, to name but a few.

Two searches for missing walkers in Wasdale had very different outcomes. The first on 22nd February, when a couple were reported overdue on Scafell Pike.

Searching through the night was halted due to the appalling and dangerous weather conditions but resumed the following morning, and the couple were eventually located in the Upper Esk area. They survived the horrendous night, huddled together under a boulder in a plastic survival bag. One piece of kit that will always be in their rucksack in the future I’m

sure. The second was, again, a Wasdale Team assist on 16th October, searching for a lone walker again in the Scafell area. We were tasked to search Piers Ghyll, at night initially, as part of a multi-team response covering a huge area. The Team returned the following day and tragically the body of the missing man was located by our Team in a gully near to Piers Ghyll.

On 10th September we got a call just after midnight stating that three male climbers had reported themselves cragfast on Pillar Rock. Ten Team members made their way to the rock in the dark to try to find them.

One of their party was located on top of High Man and he said that the others were on Slab and Notch.

One of them had been lowered too far below the route and was stuck. A group of three of us raised the climber back to the top of High Man from where all the party were lowered into Jordan Gap and escorted to

safety. We don’t get many jobs on Pillar any more, but when we do they are always potentially serious and technical rescues. This is why we train there most years during our Gillerthwaite training weekend.

In 20 years I can’t remember rescuing a Godfrey – but this year we had two in two days. Godfrey 1 (as the gentleman later became known), was a walker who was part of a rambling group who had become breathless and very unsteady on the descent from Red Pike via Ling Combe. After assessment on scene by Team members and doctor a helicopter was called and Godfrey 1 was winched onboard a coastguard S92 and transferred to Cumberland Infirmary for further treatment.

Two days later Godfrey 2, a local Reverend, was reported by his wife as not returning from a circular walk over Haystacks. A search in the dark was initiated by the Team and lights were spotted high up in the area of Warnscale Bothy, where he was found safely inside a sleeping bag by a fire. As he recounts himself (see pages 66-67) his shouts for help had been heard through the mist by two ex-servicemen who were spending the night at the bothy!

The tale of two Godfreys had two happy endings!

We have three new full Team members and currently have five probationer members in the

Team. Having done their initial six months or so, they are all now on the call-out list and getting experience on real jobs. ‘Goose’ and ‘Dog’ have accepted their new nicknames with grace, Al’s off to Cotswold’s to buy a proper jacket to replace his M-Sport freebie, Dan seems positively underwhelmed with it all to be honest, and Mario – well there was a big hole when Rumpole left...

Annoyingly, they all soak up stuff like sponges and are increasingly hard to catch out! The future looks bright – however that may simply be due to the number of torches our equipment officer seems to have bought us all recently.

Did I mention I’d done nearly twenty years in the team? The year I joined, Jim Coyle had 40 years under his belt already. Later this year, Jim will have seen off 60 years as a CMRT member, with well over half those as Team Leader. I’m sure we’ll dream up something suitable to celebrate this incredible achievement.

Finally all my big thanks.

To Martin, Chris, Ian and Richard for their support, help and advice both on the hill and in their individual roles in making sure the Team is always equipped, trained and able to communicate when we go out and do what we do.

To all the partners, families and friends whose plans we continually disrupt.

And finally to all the Team for basically being excellent at making me look like I know what I’m doing.

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Is wearing a hat cool?

Apparently not if you are hypothermic and in cardiac arrest. ‘Remove the hat to keep the brain cool, a cool brain survives longer!’ Les Gordon enlightened us at the MREW medical seminar held in Windermere in November, when he provided an update on hypothermia management.

Fractures and dislocations are a frequent injury seen by the team. Dave Knowles, an orthopaedic surgeon from Lancaster, provided a thorough summary on this subject at the MREW seminar.

His practical advice on the assessment and management of neurovascular compromise was pertinent when the Team attended a lakeshore injury. A trimalleolar unstable fracture of an ankle had been sustained by a female on Buttermere lakeshore. The ankle was significantly deformed with the bone stretching and compressing the overlying skin. By reducing blood flow this threatened irreparable skin damage. Urgent attention was required with the administration of strong painkillers, manipulation of the injury and careful splinting. With blood flow to the skin restored, the casualty could be transported to hospital for a successful surgical repair.

The medical equipment used by the Team is under constant review, the aim being a fully comprehensive kit that is light enough to be 8 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

carried quickly in the hills.

The Kendrick splint has been a relatively recent addition, replacing the heavier Sagar splint. The time spent training in its use over the past couple of years was put into practice when a woman sustained a spiral fracture of her femur at Loweswater. The fall was relatively innocuous, but resulted in a painful deformed injury.

Ambulance technicians were in attendance but the Team was required to

MedicalOfficer’s Report Dr Pete Winterbottom

administer strong analgesia and apply the splint which provided very welcome relief for the casualty. This first use of the splint in a call-out was appraised at the subsequent Team meeting and it was agreed that it had functioned well and should continue to be part of the kit list.

Training helps the Team practice key skills and then reinforce and fine-tune them in difficult mountain environments. Insight into the casualties’ experience provides invaluable feedback and, for this reason, Team members often take on the part of a casualty during Team practices. Having volunteered for this role in November, Ian Cousins (pictured below) found himself perched, awaiting

Loweswater call-out 12.

rescue, on a snowy ledge amidst the crags in the upper reaches of Burtness Comb, under High Stile. Despite warm clothing he was starting to shake uncontrollably as the Team arrived to assess and manage his purported injuries. His shivering was noted to be continuing despite the application of heat packs within the fleece-lined casualty care bag.

As the Team was about to start evacuation, it was realised that the recommended vapour barrier was not in place. Its addition would delay evacuation due to difficult repackaging but should make the heat packs much more efficient. After quick consultation it was agreed that the vapour barrier should make a significant difference, and despite the cramped exposed situation Ian was carefully ‘repackaged’. Later, at the practice debriefing, Ian described the feeling of a deep bone chill creeping upon him followed by a wave of warmth that accompanied

the addition of this simple extra layer. Its importance had been highlighted and would remain in the forefront of Team members’ minds when managing a cold casualty.

January 2018 saw the Team participate in the first regional casualty care examination, an innovation to help reinforce uniform examination standards and provide support for teams with less medical support for education and training. More on that in next year’s Annual Report.

The times are always a changing!

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I never cease to be amazed at Team members’ enthusiasm for training and their willingness to give up their own time to participate.

We record our training in terms of units and, as a very rough guide, a unit is three hours. A couple of Team members this last year attained 70 units, which, according to my arithmetic, is equivalent to around 28 working days. Top marks to Mike and Mike!

Like it or not, we all face and deal with (or manage) risk in our day-to-day lives.

Be that driving on the roads, making a cup of tea or walking up and down the stairs. We often don’t even think about it. Training these days, as it was in the past, is the foundation on which mountain rescue operates.

Through training we gain experience which is the key to the judgement that allows us to manage the risks we

face on the hill, in the rivers, on the roads, during a technical rope rescue operation or while assessing and treating a casualty (amongst many others places and situations) in the best way for the casualty and all concerned. It is not just the quantity of training that is important but the quality.

Training needs to be as realistic as possible without overstepping that boundary of it being a practice that might lead to unnecessary risk, harm or inappropriate use of assets. So, at times, simulation and role play is required.

One thing that helps enormously, when training in casualty care, are the nonTeam members who volunteer to be casualties for us on practices. Having to deal with people we are not familiar with, during a casualty assessment, is invaluable to what we do.

A big thank you to all those people that have helped us

Training Report

Chris Cookson

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out by acting as a “casualty” for us in 2017. If you’d like to give it a go in 2018, we’d really appreciate it! Just let me know: training.officer @cockermouthmrt.org.uk.

Conversely it is very beneficial for Team members to act as casualties too, as they get to see and experience things from the casualty’s point of view.

Being able to appreciate what the casualty is going through can make a real difference on a rescue. It’s something I’d encourage each Team member to do at least once in their mountain rescue service.

The training on offer has changed significantly over recent years in terms of variety, volume, who organises it and how it is delivered. This has been driven by a number of factors including advances in technology.

There is the training we organise and run within the Team, training that is organised by our regional representative body

(LDSAMRA – Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association) and then there is training organised by our national representative body (MREW – Mountain Rescue England and Wales).

Some training is very much practical and requires a high level of physical effort and fitness, such as technical rope rescue or swift water training. Some can be classroom-based, much less physical, perhaps more theoretical or supporting background functions, such as equipment inspection courses, major incident command and control courses or search management courses.

We also have Computer Based Training (CBT), most notably for the training we do for working with the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) Search and Rescue helicopters. It is also becoming more and more common for teams within the region to work

Winter training in Scotland (with sun and without!)

together in providing training, just as we do on some call-outs.

A good example of this is the winter training we’ve been doing in Scotland for the last couple of years. This is very much down to Patterdale MRT who invite

us along to the winter training they’ve organised – and they also provide the catering! Thanks Patterdale!

So the training we undertake is very varied and an active Team member needs to be committed to a considerable amount of training for us to operate safely and with the best interests of the casualty at heart.

A lot of people (too many to list here) put a lot of effort into organising and running the training that goes on each year. I’d like to thank them all for their contributions (big or small), without which, training simply wouldn’t happen.

This is the first full year the Team has run with the Training Officer role, so I’d like to thank Dave Blanden for expertly looking after the Team’s training before me, through chairing the Training sub-committee for over 33 years! Thanks Dave.

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The Team is now in the midst of switching from our old analogue VHF radio system to a new digital system. This entails replacing all our personal handset radios, base stations and vehicle radios with new digital equipment. This offers many advantages to mountain rescue including clearer audio, longer battery life and a more easily-maintained system. This project is a part

of a wider programme to update mountain rescue radio systems across the Lake District and has entailed a great deal of working between the teams to ensure compatibility of equipment. The flexibility of digital radios is even allowing us to consider having a Lakes-wide communications channel which would prove very useful in managing the major incident deployments that are becoming more common.

As we need to maintain a

24/7 radio system we have had to install the new digital equipment running in parallel with the existing analogue system. New antennas have been installed, additional radios fitted in vehicles, new internet connections established and lots of handsets programmed.

Many Team members have spent considerable time managing and helping with all these jobs and I would like to pass on my thanks to everyone involved.

Radio Officer’s Report

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Richard Greenwood

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Warm, dry and with the ability to search in all conditions. These are the basic kit requirements we need as mountain rescuers in order to carry out our work on the fells. While this is a relatively short list the everchanging weather of our national park continues to cause challenges for the most highly-priced equipment. As I wrote this report last year we were in a state of limbo, not having sufficient waterproofs or torches.

Despite our best efforts to convince ourselves that skin was waterproof and eating carrots really does mean you can see in the dark, we had to find a solution.

Luckily this came in the old friend of the team “Paramo” and a new inclusion to the team with their Enduro line. These pants, jacket and windproofs have given us a one-stopshop for our needs in ever-changing call-out and weather scenarios. The inclusion of a windproof has yet to be fully maximised in summer conditions but it should prove to be a huge difference in summer from wearing a full weight waterproof.

In terms of torches we settled on a more waterproof model from Black Diamond,

John Brooks

Equipment Report

the ‘Icon’, and while some Team members are still getting their heads around turning it on, those who have read the instructions have not had any problems while using it in very wet conditions thanks to its waterproof battery case.

One of the main items of our kit that gets the most wear is for our feet and we have been privileged enough to introduce a boot allowance for all active Team members so we can support them when purchasing boots and fell shoes for mountain rescue.

We have also introduced a warmer pair of gloves for our rope rescues and call-

outs – another addition from Arc’teryx in the form of the ‘Alpha FL’, meaning we might just be able to still feel our fingers after a cold night’s rescue on Pillar. So far I have heard no grumbles from the Team on this matter so it must have been a good choice.

Having had good relations in the past with the outdoor retailers it has been a pleasure this year to extend our use of their services for Team personal kit. While we try and provide Team members with all the equipment they need for call-outs, inevitably personal equipment will always get used in some way.

We have managed to secure members accounts with Montane and Arc’teryx meaning the cost of replacing personal equipment should be lower.

Finally a big thanks to all those who have donated their time and money in order to help the Team continue to provide firstrate kit. Without them you’d find this equipment quartermaster buying even more carrots and selecting the next team outfit from the special aisle in Aldi.

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Congratulations!

Steve and Michelle.

Team Chair Martin Pickavance presents Ian Cousins and Chris Cookson with their Long Service Awards.

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Tom and Lauren.

Thanks!

Victoria Junior School in Workington chose CMRT as their charity for a ‘Bright Stars’ project, involving decorating and selling mugs in support of the team. On behalf of the Team, Chris and Derek were presented with a massive cheque by pupils at the school.

Andy Beck gave a number of talks on his book ‘Wainwrights in Colour’ to raise money for local Lake District Search And Mountain Rescue Association teams.

Peter Dunne writes: “These photos are of you guys coming to my aid after I dislocated and broke my ankle in 2016 and ones of me doing a skydive. I raised £500 for your Team to show my appreciation to you, an amazing bunch of men and women, for what you did for me and my partner, and countless other people.”

Ian Payne dropped by the base to make a donation. He remembers being rescued 50 years ago, when he was 11 years old, and the school group he was part of got lost in the mist on top of High Crag.

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 17

Incidents 2017 1

The Team was asked to assist Keswick MRT with a search for a vulnerable 10 Feb missing person in the Stonethwaite area. Members of Penrith MRT also assisted. After searching for two hours Team members were stood down by Cumbria Police following receipt of new information. (Number of Team members in attendance: 17)

16 Feb

2

Late in the afternoon, a 33-year-old male fell 3-4m whilst descending steep ground between the summit of Haystacks and Gatesgarth Farm, Buttermere. He sustained arm and head injuries. Fortunately his companion managed to descend all the way to Gatesgarth and raised the alarm. The Team was called to his location, treated his injuries and stretchered him to Gatesgarth, from where a waiting NWAS road ambulance took him to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. (24)

3

22 Feb

Members of Cockermouth MRT, along with others from Keswick, Wasdale, Duddon & Furness, Kirkby Stephen, Penrith and Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs Teams searched the Central Fells for two walkers overdue from a walk up Scafell Pike since the previous day. A search the previous evening had been halted at midnight due to appalling weather conditions. The missing persons were located in the Upper Esk area having survived a wet and windy night in their survival bag and were flown back to Keswick base by S92 Coastguard rescue helicopter R999, from Prestwick. (13) 20 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

5 Four sheep were

6 Mar

rescued from ledges on High Crag at the request of Gatesgarth Farm, Buttermere. (4)

10 Mar

7

A 50-year-old female sustained an ankle injury when she slipped on the path around Crummock Water.

The Team treated her at the scene, stretchered her back to Low Park and she was taken to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle by NWAS road ambulance. (19)

6

Two walkers called the Team for assistance when they become disorientated in cloud and snow near the summit of High Crag, Buttermere. Team leaders used the SARLOC tool to confirm their location and a small party walked up the hill to meet them and escort them back down to 27 Feb Gatesgarth Farm. (8)

4

9 Mar

A 74-year-old female fell near the summit of Great Borne, Ennerdale and suffered a laceration to her forehead. The team was called and GNAA Helimed 58 from Langwathby also attended.

Fortunately the air ambulance was able to land nearby and fly the casualty to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, for further treatment. (14)

8

A 39-year-old male sustained an ankle injury when he slipped on wet ground descending from Scarth Gap, Buttermere. The Team treated him at the 10 Mar scene, stretchered him to Gatesgarth Farm and he was taken to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven by NWAS road ambulance. (23) CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 21

9 The Team was called in the early hours to assist with a large multiagency search for a missing person in the vicinity of Silloth. After searching through the night the individual was located and flown to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle by S92 Coastguard rescue helicopter, R999. (25)

11

12 Mar

19 Mar

10

23 Mar

The Team was called out following reports of a possible paraglider crash near Isel/the north west end of Bassenthwaite Lake.

GNAA Heilmed 58 and a Police helicopter also attended and a search of the area was completed but nothing was found. (18)

The Team received a call to assist a 64-year-old male who had sustained an ankle injury. From initial information it was thought that he was near Honister Mine and team members, supported by GNAA Helimed 58, attended.

However it became apparent that he was near Force Crag Mine, Coledale, and the call-out was 28 Mar passed to Keswick MRT, who were assisted by S92 Coastguard rescue helicopter R999. (17) 22 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

13

A 52-year-old woman from Suffolk slipped whilst descending the fell side just above the village of Buttermere.

She was treated by Team members for a suspected broken ankle, before being stretchered from the fell and handed over to an NWAS road ambulance at Buttermere. (24)

A 72-year-old woman from London slipped whilst walking down the path near Scale Beck, suffering an ankle injury. The Team attended and treated her, then stretchered her to

The Team was called out to assist a 64year-old woman from Carlisle who had slipped on wet ground and sustained an ankle injury near Black Crag, Loweswater. The injured woman was treated at the scene by one of the Team’s doctors and then stretchered a short distance to the NWAA Helimed 75. The casualty was transported by air to the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. (22)

12

26 Mar

The Team were asked to assist the crew of GNAA Helimed H58 with evacuating a young female who had fallen from her horse down an embankment near Frizington. Whilst team members were responding a NWAS road ambulance crew managed to assist the Helimed crew and the team were stood down. (11)

16 14 1 Apr

17 Apr

15

The Team received a call to assist a party of four lost in mist near the summit of Red Pike, Buttermere.

16 Apr They had good equipment so kept themselves warm whilst some walkers who had heard their whistle signals from Bleaberry Tarn walked up to assist them.

Three Team members Buttermere village also met up with the from where a NWAS party on the hill and road ambulance assisted them down to took her to West Syke Farm Campsite, Cumberland Buttermere. (6) Hospital, Whitehaven. (13) CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 23

The Team was called to a 63-year-old male walker near the boathouse on Crummock Lakeshore, who had been pulled off his feet by his dog and fallen down a bank, receiving injuries to his leg, arm, and head. He was treated by Team members at the scene and transferred to a waiting NWAS road ambulance at Scale Hill car park by Team Land Rover. He was taken to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, for further treatment.

(18)

17

3 May

18

The Team was called to a 35-year-old male who had slipped and injured his ankle on Haystacks above Buttermere. Due to low numbers the Team Leader called in Keswick MRT. Whilst on route to the incident, the first Cockermouth Team vehicle came across a female cyclist who had fallen from her bike whilst descending into Buttermere village, suffering head and shoulder injuries. The Team stopped and treated the woman at the scene and due to the potentially serious nature of her injuries, requested an Air Ambulance.

14 May

Keswick MRT requested assistance with evacuating a casualty from Force Crag Mine area, as they had been unable to open the track gate and needed more manpower for a long stretcher carry. Fortunately they managed to get hold of some keys and stood Cockermouth Team Members down as they were heading along the A66. (16)

24 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

20

28 May

The Team Leader was contacted with a report of a person in difficulty above Kirkstile Gully on Melbreak, Loweswater. He was nearby and witnessed someone climb back up to safety, then made contact with the informant and confirmed that the person was no longer in difficulty. No further action was taken. (1)

Meanwhile Keswick MRT continued to the first incident, treated the casualty at the scene on Haystacks, and began a stretcher evacuation back towards Honister Slate Mine. The GNAA arrived in Buttermere and flew the injured cyclist to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.

CMRT then joined KMRT on Haystacks and assisted with the evacuation of the original casualty back to Honister Slate Mine where he was transferred into the waiting NWAS road ambulance and taken to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven. (14)

19

19 May

21

31 May

The Team was requested to assist a male casualty from Cockermouth with severe chest pain on the Whiteside / Hopegill Head ridge. The Team quickly made their way to the casualty and treated him, then carried him a short distance to S92 Coastguard rescue helicopter, R999, which had landed nearby.

He was flown to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. (17) CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 25

22

Team Leaders received a report of a possible crashed paraglider on Whiteside. On further 2 June discussion with the informant it became apparent that the pilot was moving and walking around near his canopy. A small Team attended the site and found the pilot had been unable to take off due to lack of wind and had waited around in case the wind picked up. An air ambulance and a road ambulance on route were stood down. (6)

25

23

The Team was called to two walkers, who had become cragfast 16 June in the Green Crag area, on Haystacks, Buttermere. Team members attended the scene and the cragfast walkers were short-roped back to safety (along with their two dogs). (21)

24

16 June

In a separate incident at the same time as incident 23, a woman became lost in mist whilst on the Coast-to-Coast walk in Ennerdale. The lost woman was located using SARLOC, which saved us a lot of searching, as she was some way off her intended route.

Two Team members went to her location and walked her back to the valley. One Team member then drove her round from Ennerdale all the way to Borrowdale, where she was staying that evening. (21)

19 June

The Team was called to a walker visiting from Western Australia, who had injured her ankle whilst descending Gamlin End near the summit of High Crag, Buttermere. She was on the Coast-to-Coast route with her husband and he descended to the valley to raise the alarm. The Team ascended from Gatesgarth

26 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

and treated the casualty.

NWAA Helimed 08 attended from Blackpool and managed to land on top of High Crag just as the first Team members arrived at the scene. The woman was stretchered back up to the top of High Crag and flown from there to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven via the helicopter. (18)

Award participant injured her ankles near Floutern Cop, Loweswater. Her 26 companions raised the alarm and the 24 June A 15-year-old Duke of Edinburgh’s

Team were called out. Their position was confirmed using SARLOC and Team members attended, treated the young woman and stretchered her to a waiting NWAS road ambulance at Kirkgate Farm, Loweswater. She was transported to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven. (20)

28 1 July

The Team was called to assist a female runner participating in a mountain marathon with her son. She had slipped on the Crummock lakeshore path painfully dislocating her right shoulder.

She was treated at the scene, initially by two other competitors, who happened to be A&E doctors, and then by the Team, who carried her to Low Park, Loweswater, from where she was transferred by NWAS road ambulance to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.

(30)

29

1 July

28 June

A 17-year-old Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participant injured his leg near Little Dodd, Ennerdale. His companions raised the alarm and the Team were called out. Team members attended, treated the young man and stretchered him to a waiting NWAS road ambulance at Bowness Knott, Ennerdale. He was transported to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven. (19)

27

As the Team were repacking the vehicles and equipment from call-out 28, a call came in to assist a 68-year-old male walker from Liverpool. He had fallen approximately three metres down a rocky path beside Green Crag, Haystacks, landing on his head and also suffering injuries to his right leg.

Coastguard rescue helicopter R199, from Prestwick, was called in to assist due to the nature of the man’s injuries.

However weather conditions on scene deteriorated and,

following a favourable assessment by the Team doctor, it was decided to stand the helicopter down. The Team carried the casualty back to the Team Land Rovers above Honister and transferred him to the Slate Mine, from where he was transferred by NWAS road ambulance to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven.

There were five other family members with the casualty, all very cold and wet. All were helped from the fell by Team members. (29)

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 27

31 30

The Team was called to assist a 20-year-old female who had slipped and injured her 8 July ankle whilst walking around Ennerdale Water. Team members treated her at the scene, splinted her leg and carried her a short distance to the Team vehicles. From there she was driven to a waiting NWAS road ambulance at Bowness Knott and transferred to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven. (18) 14 July

11 July

The Team was called to assist a 60-year-old female who had suffered an ankle injury whilst walking on the Buttermere lakeshore path. The Team attended and treated her and because of the nature of her injury she was carried a short distance to GNAA Helimed 58, which airlifted her to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. (14)

32

A 17-year-old Duke of Edinbugh’s Award participant became unwell at Low Ling Crag, Crummock. The alarm was raised and the Team was called out. Team members attended, assessed and stretchered the young man to a waiting NWAS road ambulance near the Fish Hotel, Buttermere. (12)

33

15 July

Two walkers were reported overdue on a walk from Gatesgarth Farm, Buttermere, over Haystacks.

Happily they turned up safe and well at Gatesgarth before any action was taken. (2)

28 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

21 July

34

The Team was called to assist a 49-year-old female, part of a CCF training group from Bolton, who had slipped high on the path just below Gamlin End, Buttermere.

The group had camped overnight on the ridge above and were making their way back down to Gatesgarth Farm. Team members treated the casualty at the scene, administering pain relief and splinted her injured

35

Team Leaders were contacted when a climber from Durham became separated from his friend descending from Pillar. It was rapidly ascertained that they were descending into Wasdale’s area and the call-out was passed to WMRT. (1) 25 July

36

26 July

The Team was called to a 80-year-old man who had fallen while walking the Coast-to-Coast. He slipped whilst crossing a beck in Ennerdale sustaining a head injury and was helped out of the water by his walking companion. They had made their own way to Black Sail Youth Hostel by the time the Team arrived. Team members assessed the casualty and treated him then

leg. The Team stretchered the casualty down into Warnscale Bottom, and transferred her by Land Rover to a NWAS road ambulance at Gatesgarth. She was taken to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven for further treatment. (17)

transported him to an NWAS road ambulance near Gillerthwaite. He was taken to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven for further checks and treatment.

(17)

37

4 Aug

NWAS contacted the Team for assistance with carrying a 72-year-old female across fields in Workington. A vehicle with five Team members on board was sent to assist the ambulance crew. (6)

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 29

13 Aug

38

The Team was called to a lone fell walker who fell around three metres, injuring his shoulder, whilst descending from Haystacks, Buttermere. The 56-year-old male from the Wirral was helped by a number of passing walkers who also raised the alarm. The Team and Team Doctor treated the man for his injuries and he was winched into an AW189 Coastguard rescue helicopter R199 from Prestwick and flown to the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. (14)

39

15 Aug

30 l 30 lCMRT CMRTAnnual AnnualReport Report2018 2017

The Team was called to assist a 66-year-old woman from North Yorkshire who had fallen on the descent from Scarth Gap, near Buttermere, sustaining a head injury. She was treated by the Team and Team Doctor, before being stretchered to the Team’s Land Rover for the short journey to Gatesgarth Farm.

There she was handed over to a NWAS road ambulance and taken to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. (22)

17 Aug

40

A female injured her ankle whilst walking near Wilkinsyke Farm, Buttermere and called for Mountain Rescue assistance. As the Team was responding, NWAS paramedics made it to her location and assisted her to their vehicle in Buttermere. The Team was then stood down. (14)

21 Aug

41

The Team was called out to assist a 63-yearold woman from Staffordshire who had broken her leg whilst ascending the Loft Beck footpath in Ennerdale. The woman was treated by one of the Team Doctors.

Due to the seriousness of her injury a decision was made to call for the assistance of a rescue helicopter. She was loaded into an AW189 Coastguard rescue helicopter, R199 from Prestwick, and was transported to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. (16)

42

26 Aug

The Team was called to a 60-yearold man from Shropshire who had fallen, injuring his ankle, whilst out walking with his family. They were in the area of Wandope, high above Buttermere. He was treated at the scene by a Team Doctor and Team members, before a long stretcher carry to a waiting NWAS road ambulance in Buttermere village.

From there he was taken to the West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven. (18)

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 31

43

29 Aug

32 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

The Team was called out to assist a male walker in his 50s from Cambridgeshire, who had suffered a tumbling fall of 7-10 metres, while descending Sourmilk Ghyll, Buttermere.

Initial reports were of head and leg injuries. An informant had raised the alarm by telephoning from The Fish Hotel, Buttermere. The casualty’s son’s flashing torch could be seen from the valley bottom. On reaching the casualty, the Team attended to his injuries and he was stretchered to a NWAS road ambulance in the valley. He was transported on to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven for further treatment. (21)

Keswick MRT received a call to assist a 70-year-old female who kept passing out near Scale Force Beck, Buttermere. They sent one vehicle to Buttermere and

passed the call to Cockermouth MRT, whose area the call-out was in. Five KMRT and 16 CMRT members attended and stretchered the

woman to a NWAS road ambulance in Buttermere, from where she was taken to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven for further treatment. (21)

44 2 Sep

45summit. The Team ascended from the 10 Sep

Just after midnight the Team was called out to three male climbers who had reported themselves cragfast on Pillar Rock, Ennerdale after climbing a classic rock route. Having topped out on High Man around dusk, they began descending and lowered one of the party down the first section of Slab and Notch climb. Unfortunately they lowered him too far and he became cragfast, with his friends on the

valley and three members climbed Slab and Notch to the cragfast climber. They raised him back onto the route and climbed to the top of High Man, from where the whole party abseiled into Jordan Gap then descended down a rope fixed by other Team members, off the rock. They were then driven back round to their vehicle in Buttermere. (12)

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 33

46

10 Sep

Team Leaders were alerted to an overdue 70-year-old male runner competing in an organised event.

As a plan of action was being developed he turned up. (2)

47

14 Sep

The Team was called to a 50-year-old man from Leeds who had injured his knee whilst walking below Dubs Hut at the top of Warnscale in Buttermere. The Team stretchered him down to the Team’s vehicles in Warnscale Bottom. He and two friends were then transported in Sprinter to their car at Honister Slate Mine from where they made their own way to hospital. (17)

49

18 Sep

A group of five males were reported as overdue on a walk from Langdale to Buttermere. As Team Leaders were planning what action to take, they turned up safe and well. (2)

34 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

48

16 Sep

During the Team’s annual training event at Gillerthwaite, Ennerdale, CMRT were asked by Keswick MRT to provide additional personnel to assist with a rescue on Green Gable.

Fortunately NWAA Helimed 75 was able to attend from Barton and CMRT members were stood down. (20)

50

18 Sep

The Team was called to assist a male walker who was descending as part of a group towards Buttermere from the Ling Comb area. He was unable to continue walking in rough, steep ground, having suddenly become very unsteady on his legs and started shaking. The casualty was assessed on scene by Team members and a Team Doctor and, due to his condition and the nature of the terrain, a decision was made to evacuate by helicopter. The Team stretchered the casualty to a suitable point for a pick up and an AW189 Coastguard rescue helicopter, R199 from Prestwick, attended and winched him on board, for transfer to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle for further treatment. (14)

51

20 Sep

Constabulary alerted the team. Team members A walker descending met the party in from Dubs Quarry Buttermere village – towards Warnscale, they had managed to get Buttermere, came across themselves and the an injured male walker casualty off the hill. They who was part of a group assessed the casualty of approx ten. He had and waited with him fallen over on the descent until the NWAS road path and suffered facial ambulance arrived and and shoulder injuries. transferred him to The informant dialled hospital for further 999 and Cumbria treatment. (5)

53

Duddon and Furness MRT requested assistance from Wasdale and Cockermouth Swiftwater Rescue Technicians at flooding in Millom. Cockermouth SRTs assembled at Cockermouth base but were stood down as the flooding quickly subsided. (10) 7 Oct

CMRT were called by Wasdale MRT to potentially assist in evacuation of a casualty with an arm injury sustained during descent from Scafell Pike. A party of Wasdale team members went to the reported location but no casualty could be found. (2)

Sca fell Pike

54

30 Sep

52

20 Sep

Later the same day Team Leaders were alerted that a local Cockermouth resident had not returned from a walk in the Haystacks area, again in Buttermere. A search was planned and executed. The missing person was located quickly, exhausted but fit and well, following Team members seeing lights from the valley, at Warnscale Bothy.

He had been found and assisted back to the bothy earlier in the evening by two ex-servicemen who were staying there for the night.

Team members assisted the casualty back to Team vehicles at Dubs Hut, and drove him back to his car at Gatesgarth.

SARDA Lakes had put dog handlers on standby to assist in the search but were not required. (29) See pages 66-67.

55

7 Oct

Whilst dealing with the previous incident, Wasdale MRT asked for assistance with locating two walkers, lost in the Scafell Pike area and possibly injured. After a number of attempts to identify their location, the walkers were found by another group and helped to Styhead then Wasdale.

Cockermouth team members were then stood down. (2)

978m (3,209ft)

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 35

I was so grateful for your cheerful presence and the effort you all made on my behalf to bring me down safely.

What they thought of us

I don’t think a single day goes by without singing your praises.

Without you the outcome could have been very different.

36 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

Without your aid I have no idea what I would have done.

are My family and I ur so grateful for yo , quick response re ca al profession . on and attenti

We were amazed at how quickly the rescue team arrived (and relieved!). It was an impressive thing to see the Team in action and very reassuring to witness.

I can’t thank you g enough for keepin le hi w my spirits up you attended to my broken leg.

I cannot praise you all enough and I will never forget you.

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 37

56

15 Oct

The search for the missing walker continued, alongside Teams from other parts of the Lake District and the RAF. Cockermouth Team members located the body of the missing person in a gully at the 16 Oct side of Piers Ghyll and assisted with the recovery and evacuation operation. (10)

58

57

15 Oct

Team members continued round to Wasdale following the previous call-out to assist with a search of Piers Ghyll for a missing hillwalker. In cloud and failing daylight, nothing was found. (11)

The Team were called to assist a 50-year-old female from Hertfordshire who had injured her ankle near Anglers Crag, Ennerdale. She was treated at the scene and stretchered to Team vehicles, then taken to her friend’s car at Bowness Knott for onward transport to hospital. (20)

38 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

59

17 Oct

Keswick MRT asked for assistance with evacuating an exhausted male walker from near Styhead Tarn back to Seathwaite. Team members assisted with carrying him off the fell. (10)

25 Oct

Shortly after midnight, Wasdale MRT asked for assistance with locating a male walker, overdue on a walk fromWasdale 25 Oct to Ennerdale Youth Hostel. As Team members were driving into Ennerdale, lights were spotted on the far side of the lake and these turned out to be those of the missing walker. He was met and transported to the Youth Hostel. (16)

60

62

29 Oct

The Team were requested to support an NWAS road ambulance crew who were treating a walker with a leg injury near Loweswater Lake.

The Team attended and assisted with treating the casualty before carrying her to the road ambulance for onwards transport to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. (12)

64

14 Nov

Later the same day we were called to assist a 67year-old male who had planned to walk the High Crag – Red Pike ridge but had descended into either Ennerdale or Buttermere and reported himself as being on the edge of a forest. Team members spotted his lights in Ennerdale, walked him out to a Team vehicle and drove him round to his accommodation in Buttermere village. (9)

63

61

A 30-year-old male passed out after hitting his head near Hassness Tunnel, Buttermere. Team members attended the scene and assisted him to a waiting NWAS road ambulance at Dalegarth House.

(21)

14 Nov

A farmer dislocated his hip below Low Fell, Loweswater and the Team were called to assist with treating him and carrying him to a NWAS road ambulance. He was then taken to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. (19)

65

22 Nov

During heavy rainfall across the county, the Team were called to assist the occupants of a car that had entered deep water in the ford at Cleator.

As Team members were assembling they received notice that Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service had dealt with the incident and CMRT were stood down. (15) CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 39

During wintry weather, the Team were called to assist the occupants of two cars, unable to make progress on

68

19 Dec

Keswick MRT asked for assistance with evacuating a walker with a disolcated shoulder from near the summit of Glaramara, Borrowdale.

Team members assisted with carrying him off the fell and he was transported to hospital by land ambulance. An S92 Coastguard rescue helicopter, R936, attempted to assist but weather conditions were not favourable and they returned to Caernarfon.

(24)

Newlands Pass due to icy conditions. Team leaders were able to contact the occupants of the cars and

established they were in no immediate danger.

No further action was taken. (4)

66 8 Dec

67

16 Dec

The Team were called following reports of a car leaving the road on the Whinlatter Pass above Scawgill Bridge. Fire and Rescue, NWAS, GNAA Helimed 58 and a BASICS doctor also attended. However, the driver of the car had left the scene and there were no other casualties. (28)

27 Dec

69

The Team were called when a 63-year-old female injured her leg near Dodd, Hopebeck. Team members attended, treated her and stretchered her to a NWAS road ambulance. She was then taken to West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, where a fractured fibula was confirmed. (18) 40 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

Another month of adventure The magazine Lakeland Walker asked Team member (and former Team Leader) Mike Park to write about a typical month in the life of a volunteer mountain rescuer. Here is an extract from Mike’s article.

Sunday On the River Leven in South Lakes for swiftwater rescue technician (SRT) training. Must have swallowed some water – very bad belly for next four days. Note to self – keep mouth shut in future.

Monday Work, then CMRT monthly meeting – looked at past month’s call-outs, training done and going to be done.

Pint in town.

Tuesday and Wednesday

Work – despite bad belly - and then climbing at King Kong wall in Keswick on Wednesday with daughter and her mates.

Friday CMRT search practice – a night going through search theory and then a couple of hours in the damp and dark searching the local woods for somebody who isn’t there! The key to searching is to make it exciting – you have to convince yourself that you’re the one that’s going to find the missing person.

Weekend Working on my house. I am currently rebuilding and restoring a 300-year-old cottage – a real labour of love.

The other Lakes mountain rescue teams have had a busy weekend with 10 call-outs across the region.

Monday and Tuesday Work and then met up with five Team members to sort out the final preparations for a Team practice we are planning for this Sunday. This will be major incident training where the emergency services have to call in the assistance of partner services to deal with an incident 42 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

that’s too large or serious for one service to deal with.

Wednesday Work followed by an evening on the streets of Cockermouth collating information for the major incident practice – scenario is flooding in the town (something that has happened twice in recent years).

Thursday and Friday Work and then a few of us meet up at the Team’s base to have a fast run around the town. Turning into a regular event at this time of year – a chance to blow away the working week.

Saturday Working on house.

Sunday 00:48: Wasdale MRT get a call-out for a missing climber on Scafell Pike. (They have already dealt with six callouts in the last 10 days).

08:00: Cockermouth Team meet at the base to start our Major Incident Exercise. We split the Team into four groups for workshops dealing with different skill sets. We rotate through these and then come together mid-morning to run the flooding scenario.

12:00: We get a heads up of a request from Wasdale to assist in the search for a missing climber on Scafell Pike. Wasdale MRT and others search for man overnight and into Sunday. We finish our training early in anticipation that we will need to go down to Wasdale to continue the search. We are running the exercise down when …

13:04: Cockermouth MRT get a call-out... “female broken ankle, Ennerdale lakeshore.” We head out in four vehicles to deal with the call-out. A 20-minute

journey to Ennerdale with blue lights and sirens. Jump out at the other end and run along the lakeshore path to the casualty and her party.

When you break your leg at home it hurts, you can’t walk but it’s probably not life threatening.

What is different in the mountains is that it is usually wet, cold and windy, and it is this that can make your broken-leg situation life threatening! This is why carrying the right equipment on the hills is so important – it’s to give you and mountain rescue a fighting chance that your mishap is just that ... a mishap that everyone goes home from.

This walker and her party had done the right thing. She was warm (insulated from the ground), sitting on a rucksack, spare fleece and waterproofs on to keep the wind off.

15:26: As we’re carrying the casualty back to the waiting ambulance, we get the message that we are required to help with search in Wasdale. Storm Ophelia is coming in tomorrow.

We spend the next six hours in torrential rain and darkness trying to search Piers Ghyll (a 70m-deep canyon slashed down the slopes of Scafell Pike). This involves lowering a Team member over the canyon sides at appropriate spots ascending the ghyll. However good the kit you wear, searching in these conditions you inevitably come off the hills soaked to the skin... all that you can hope for is being warm and keeping your brain in a place that enables you to function and keep you and your mates safe. Finally get into bed just before 1am. No-one found – this guy could now be spending his second night on the hill.

Monday 06:30: Back to Wasdale – the eye of Storm Ophelia due to hit the county later this afternoon. The weather is significantly better than last night, it’s our window of opportunity to search the same area of ground that we have already searched only 12 hours earlier and hopefully cross it off. A helicopter has now joined the search and can be heard scouring the area across the summits. At 10:30am I was unfortunate to find the body of the missing walker in a side gully coming off Piers Ghyll.

Throughout the 34 years of my time in mountain rescue, I have had to deal with numerous tragic outcomes of walking in the fells, but it is never easy. Yet there is still a “job to do” … you have to put these emotions at the back of your brain to consider at a later time and deal with the circumstance that you now face. We spend the rest of the day recovering the casualty and getting ourselves safely off the hill, which involves around 40 members from several mountain rescue teams.

19:00: Dementia training at Langdale/Ambleside base. A pint and time to reflect on the past few days.

Tuesday 10:35: Call-out to assist Keswick MRT – out all night at Styhead.

Wednesday Work followed by climbing with daughter.

Thursday and Friday Circuit training early one morning, Corpse Road run the next to start the weekend.

Weekend of working on the house – no call outs!

Monday and Tuesday Work plus circuit training on Tuesday.

Wednesday 00:45: Call-out missing person between

Wasdale and Ennerdale. Find at 03:00.

06:30: Work then sleep.

17:15: Call-out to a male with a head injury near Buttermere.

Thursday Work followed by haircut and then Cam Crag ridge run.

Friday and Saturday All quiet with work and then on house.

Sunday 08:00: Cockermouth MRT training and practice in river.

13:11: Call-out – Female leg injury – broken femur.

Pint. That cosy feeling of being with your mates having done something good for a complete stranger.

Monday and Tuesday Work with early morning circuits on Monday and meeting up with eldest daughter home for first time after starting first year at University on Tuesday night.

Conclusion So, what am I asking you to consider in my insight into a month in my life? Well, it’s this.

We all choose to walk in the fells, and usually we will have a great day out and end up back in the pub at the end of the day and will have lasting memories.

But sometimes we will have a mishap and hurt ourselves, but we will learn from our mistakes and move on.

But sometime we may not return from the fell, and it is heartbreaking for all concerned.

The key difference between all three outcomes is down to the choices we all have to make... what route we choose, how well we are prepared, what’s the weather doing, what time we set off, and how honest we are with ourselves about our ability.

Always ask yourself “what if ”...

And I’ll see you in the pub!

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 43

Give us

46 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

enough rope...

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 47

Make a difference Leavealegacy Remember the Team in your will A gift from you will have an enormous impact, helping the Team to help more people for years to come.

To ensure theTeam has upto-date equipment to provide its vital service, over ÂŁ60,000 is needed each year to meet running costs.

A legacy will cost you nothing in your lifetime.

It may even reduce inheritance tax on your estate because legacies to charities are tax free.

The process of leaving a legacy is very simple. If you are writing your Will or updating one, just state what you wish to leave us and say clearly that it is for the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, PO Box 73, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 3AE, with our registered charity number – 1161672.

Every legacy in every Will, however large or small, makes a difference. Want to help?

Contact your solicitor.

CMRT are a group of unpaid volunteers who give their time 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide a search and rescue service for those who get into difficulty in North West Cumbria.

As a registered charity theTeam rely entirely on donations and receive no government funding.

www.cockermouthmrt.org.uk/legacy

Support the Team Please treat the enclosed gift of ÂŁ______________ as a Gift Aid donation.

I am a UK taxpayer and I wish Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team to reclaim tax on the enclosed donation made under the Gift Aid Scheme Signature__________________________________ Date__________________ Full Name ________________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________ __________________________________ Post Code _____________________ Charity Reg No: 1161672

Gift Aid Declaration Form 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.

Can you help the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team by giving a regular amount each month or year to help continue our work?

If so, please fill in the form overleaf...

Please complete and send to Secretary, CMRT, PO Box 73, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 3AE

Can you help the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team by giving a regular amount each month or year to help continue our work?

If so, please fill in the form below...

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

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 23141603 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 send to Secretary, CMRT, PO Box 73, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 3AE

~Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and Nepal… an unusual association; but one of intrigue and interest to an outsider about to set-off on a Himalayan trek… and an opportunity for CMRT to provide some much welcome support.

As an entirely voluntary organisation and registered charity, CMRT are reliant on, and are extremely grateful to receive, donations from a variety of sources in order to support their work in, and occasionally above, the fells and surrounds of north west Cumbria. Responding to calls from folk in distress on our hills is their raison d’etre. It is no coincidence then, that following the tragedy of a significant earthquake in Nepal in April 2015, which killed nearly 9,000 people and injured nearly 22,000, CMRT were keen to assist some of those in need. They

54 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

Mission to Nepal

by Alan & Di Shepherd

have done so through veteran mountaineer Doug Scott and his charitable work in Nepal.

An opportunity of a slightly different nature arose through a chance meeting in with their base with Derek Tunstall.

My wife and I were about to embark on a Himalayan trek in Nepal on one of the more remote and challenging routes to Mount Manaslu – standing at 8,163 metres it’s the eighth highest mountain in the world. Our trek would take us on an anti-clockwise horseshoe route around Manaslu from Soti-Kohla to

Nadi-Bazar via the Larke pass at 5,106m. This route also runs through the epicentre of the 2015 earthquake. It presented an opportunity for CMRT to assist the Nepalese directly by providing ‘surplus’ outdoor clothing to those in need. Derek was quickly on the case, securing a variety of suitable items donated by colleagues, supplemented by a considerable contribution from his own personal wardrobe.

So, on 28th October 2017, with four trekking colleagues and in the safe hands of Matt Levoi from Lakeland Mountain Guides we boarded a plane for Kathmandu with 20kg of CMRT kit in the hold, carried free, courtesy of Qatar Airways. Once in Nepal and under the effective direction of our guide leader Netra, from Bassant Adventures, we quickly separated our paraphernalia into daysac and overnight bag.

The latter was to be carried by local porters and thus, for the sake of their health and well-being, was limited to 15kg per person. The porters tied two bags together, strapped their own bag on top, and carried the lot using a thin bandage like strap around their forehead! We could not have done without this amazing band of dedicated helpers .

Our 10-hour journey by vehicle to our trek start point was eventful in that our ‘offroad’ cars were unable to negotiate a recent mud-slide which had blocked a significant section rendering vehicle passage impossible.

With thoughts of our intended trekking route being

abandoned, our guide leader announced that he had ‘hired’ an empty four-wheel-drive bus stuck on the other side of the obstacle. After a quick but muddy kit transfer we were all-aboard the bus and bounced for an eternity to overnight at Soti-Kohla.

Onward movement by vehicle was now impossible, there was no more track on which to drive!

The trek started with everyone in good spirits, on a day shrouded in cloud which was soon to lift. Our first glimpse of a snow-capped Manaslu in the distance was enticing and exciting. Our first encounter with the ‘real’ people of Nepal was humbling. They have so little yet seem so content.

Facing adversity is a daily challenge.

What little supplies they possess are either homegrown, hand-made or transported into remote locations on foot or by mule. Our progress was occasionally interrupted as we stepped to one side to allow a mule train to pass along a narrow path, often with a precarious drop, always standing on the upward slope to avoid a knock into oblivion.

We crossed many rivers and ravines on robust – and not so robust– suspension bridges as we walked onwards and upwards towards the Larke pass. Each small village seemed more remote and resource-diminished than the last. Earthquake evidence was in abundance with collapsed stone structures and

landscape scars.

Electricity was a rare luxury to be found in places fortunate enough to have received aid in the form of a local hydroelectric or solar power scheme. But we consistently found happy, friendly people living life in a manner unchanged in generations.

The CMRT equipment that we were able to bring was soon distributed and the recipients were delighted. Our regret was not being able to carry more! Porterage limitations meant that some residual items were held at Kathmandu. We would find an excellent outlet for these later.

After a dark-o’clock (3.30am) and cold start from a snow-dusted tent bedded on boulders on a small plateau at 4,800 metres, our trek eventually took us over the Larke pass. At its high point of 5,106m we were to find a fantastic splash of colour in the form of numerous Nepalese prayer flags draped against a backdrop of granite grey glacier moraine.

Our return route was as exciting and interesting as our outward journey. Yet more hardy folk striving to survive in an inhospitable environment. We gave the last of our CMRT hats and gloves to a grateful family. That we were in sunshine and relatively warm at the time was deceptive as we were aware of the rapid temperature drop after sunset.

Desolate mountain moraine gave way to tree-covered slopes which succumbed to cultivated fields and

terraces. Village populations increased accordingly as we approached our trek endpoint at Nadi-Bazar.

We eventually returned to Kathmandu, recovered our residual CMRT items and arranged to meet with our trek tour director, Bassant, who had made arrangements for the remaining equipment to be sent into the earthquake region using his network of porters. We were delighted.

The CMRT mission was accomplished and with a memorable trek completed we bade farewell to Nepal and the amazing, resilient people who call it home.

You can find out more about CMRT in this annual report and on their website… and to those seeking a fantastic Nepalese adventure, try the Manaslu circuit – you won’t be disappointed!

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Working together Ramblers Walking Holidays, who have been based at Hassness House at Buttermere, providing walking holidays for over 60 years, enjoy a close connection with the local community and businesses.

Throughout that time our clients have had occasion to welcome the professional services of the Cockermouth MRT. Thankfully they are more likely to meet your Team members when they are informed and educated at your illustrated presentations at Hassness. Our clients are always enthralled to hear of the dedication and work of the Team and glad to contribute towards running costs. Many a client from various parts of the world now proudly sports your branded merchandise.

Analysis shows that the one common denominator that seems to link all MRTs though is their fondness for the home baked cakes provided at Hassness.

Our company is a not-forprofit organisation and after operating costs our profits are transferred to a charitable trust. Significant sums are disseminated by the trust to 58 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

various walking charities such as our sister organisation the Ramblers and the D of E Award Scheme. The trust is also proud to be able to make a regular contribution towards the CMRT. Our relationship with the Team is close and occasionally at the end of our holiday season Hassness House has been made available free for SARDA training meetings.

Also the small grants section of the trust recently made a grant of £2,000 to the Mountain Bothy Association to help in the renovation of the roof at Dubs Hut, which we know is occasionally used by CMRT and many other users of the fells.

In spring and autumn we operate our in-house leader training courses from Hassness and part of the training now involves an illustrated presentation from your ‘talks team’, which is tailored much more towards the needs of our leaders, covering risk assessments and incident management.

This input is greatly appreciated and forms an important part of our training syllabus.

by Ann-Louise Maidlow

Coincidentally our leader candidates are assessed independently by the Team Leader from the Keswick MRT and he is always complimentary about the high standard of our trainees.

We always take great pleasure in explaining that is because they have been partly trained

by CMRT. However, because the assessments take place on CMRT turf he has asked us to swear to secrecy and asked us to promise to carry him out of your area and back onto KMRT ground, if he should ever sustain a slip, trip or fall!

For many years Hassness was leased by us from the National Park but was recently bought from them.

Now, following planning permissions, a renovation programme is underway to provide en-suite facilities and the provision of new staff quarters. The house is due to reopen in spring 2018, complete with a new housekeeper and chef.

Ramblers Walking Holidays are excited at the prospect of this next stage of our business and look forward to our continued close working relationship with the CMRT.

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 59

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when you go over the Larkya Pass. Following the Bhoti Ghandaki River the first five days are confined to a narrow gorge, but once a bit of height is gained and it starts to open up you get blessed with views of fantastic high mountains.

Numerous villages are passed along the way with some nice lodges to stay in but, as you get higher, conditions get harsher and the temperature drops significantly. We spent two nights in the village of Somdu at an altitude of 3,800m.

by Jeff Ha sla m

k

chance of any repairs in the immediate future. Whilst there John and I took out some splints that we use in the Team and demonstrated their use to a doctor and paramedic. It was lovely to see the surprise on their faces when they saw how easy they are to use. They then went on to say that anybody in the community unlucky enough to break a limb would have to travel by bus to Kathmandu often without splints or pain killers.

Arughat Bazaar is very conveniently at the start of the Manaslu Trail which was our second objective. The trail is about 120 miles long and reaches an altitude of 5,100m

tr e

November 2017 saw myself, John Bulman (fellow Team member), Dr Nick Cowan and Dave Thomas travel out to Nepal with two objectives in mind.

The first was to visit the community of Arughat Bazaar a seven hour jeep journey from Kathmandu, the last four hours being on a bumpy dusty road, much worse than any forest track I’ve ever driven along. The principal idea of visiting Arughat was to work out how to get a water supply into a new 450+ pupil secondary school, being built some 800m high on the edge of a small village. We discovered the village already had a water supply but it was inadequate for the new school, so we set off through thick jungle to locate its source and then work out how best to run a new larger pipe.

The other reason for going to Arughat was to visit the new hospital. Dr Nick had spent three months working in the old hospital and after returning home had fundraised to provide equipment for the new one.

Sadly this hospital had been severely damaged in the 2015 earthquake and now a good 75% of it is unusable with little

Somdu is only 12k from the Tibetan border and was formed by Tibetan refugees fleeing Chinese occupation. It has a heavy Tibetan influence with houses built on two floors, the animals living on the ground floor and the humans living above keeping warm from the rising heat.

The temperature there dropped to – 5C at night which was a good indication of what was to come. After a couple of nights to acclimatise we moved up to Dharamsala at a height of 4,400m. There’s only one stone building here so accommodation is in tents and at -15C it was just as well we

were up at 2am to get over the pass. The night was beautiful, a sky full of stars leading to a fantastic sunrise. We gained the top of the pass around 10am where we had time to take a few photos before the long descent down to the trail head on the other side where we would get a nerve racking jeep ride for four hours along something that only just resembled a road, with 300ft drops to the river below.

All in all it was a brilliant trip with good company and expertly organised by our trekking company.

Now all I have to do is convince my wife that the Team have organised some training in Nepal next year!

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 63

One Wednesday in 2017 I went for another of my weekly fell walks, this time to Haystacks, the favourite of Alfred Wainwright, who listed all the Cumbrian fells. His ashes were scattered there.

I left in good time, in order to be home to prepare for an evening meeting. I still don’t know if I actually climbed Haystacks, thereby ticking off another Wainwright, but I climbed something in that area! The instructions in my guide book were somewhat unclear.

After that, it all went wrong. Evidently, I followed a wrong path – I should have known, because it felt unsafe, going down beside a fastrunning stream over loose rocks and stones. The rain was getting heavier; it was misty and the wind was getting up. I arrived on a wide plateau, bounded by ravines either side and a sheer drop in front of me.

Ironically, looking ahead in the far distance I could see Buttermere, where I was parked, and the very path I had walked up earlier. I tried several ways to get back up the way I’d come, but just couldn’t find the path. I even tried climbing up rock to get there.

I also made two or three attempts going down gullies beside fast-flowing water, falling and losing my walking pole in the process, until I arrived at a sheer drop. So back I went.

By now, the rain was getting heavier, the wind blowing, and the light fading. It was also past 6pm. I should have been home two hours earlier, and we normally eat at six. Les would be worried. I was absolutely soaked, and having been out for nearly five hours, with only a small bar of chocolate and a bottle of 66 l CMRT Annual Report 2018

water, was very tired. Time to admit defeat. Phone 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue, and also phone home. No signal: out of range.

I came across a cave into which a crawled for shelter.

There I rested, dozed a bit, prayed a bit and waited. Surely a helicopter would come soon.

I was really worried for Les, and also for the meeting planned for 7.30 – a particularly important ‘gathering’ for members of all of our churches, for the

My adventure in Wainwright country

by Godfrey Butland

opening of a new term. If I didn’t get there, since I was leading it, the whole meeting would be distracted, concerned for my well-being, ‘lost on the fells’.

Then I thought, ‘why not send a text?’ No good inside a cave, so go outside. Wind, rain, murk and gloom. And of course the text wouldn’t send either. But way down in the valley below, I saw two figures with rucksacks, making their way up beyond the fell I was on. Grab the opportunity, I thought, so I yelled ‘Help, help me...’ and waved frantically.

Wearing a dark green coat and black (not waterproof) pants, it might have been difficult, but they did see me; waved, and headed in my direction. I knew they wouldn’t be able to get up, as I couldn’t get down, but they shouted back ‘go back the way you came – we’ll meet you at the top.’

Not what I wanted to hear, as I couldn’t go back the way I came. I’d been trying for ages.

My legs had gone to jelly, my boots were squelching and full of water; I was feeling cold and shivery. Nevertheless, their arrival gave me a sense of hope, so I set off back again.

This time, somehow, though nearly dark (it must have been after 7pm by now) I found the path straightaway, partly aided by sheep (they turned up all over the place!) which led the way. I stumbled my way up, buffeted by the wind, and, very wet, arrived at the top. Now I was disorientated, with the dark shapes of several fells around me. I thought I could make out a track ahead of me so set off.

The ground was boggy, as I splodged onwards, beginning by now to be seriously anxious, as much as anything because I feared there could

be three casualties, if the other two guys were still looking for me in these poor conditions.

Mercifully, it was still quite mild, so by keeping moving, I wasn’t that cold.

Then, I heard a voice shouting ‘Hello!’ I turned to my left, and to my amazement, there they were. The two guys, with torches, only about 100 metres away! I trudged towards them, onto the path on which they were standing.

One of them gave me a big hug, and called me a ‘silly old duffer!’ The two of them then led me on down the path to the bothy where they had arranged to spend the night.

One went on ahead to light the coal fire, and get things warm and ready, while the other guided me along the path from which they had come.

It turned out that they were both ex-servicemen. One a paratrooper and the other a marine! They had come well equipped for their own adventure, but my arrival had rather diverted them. As soon as they met me, I was given a handful of salted peanuts – which I love. At the bothy, I had a scotch egg (another favourite) and cheese and biscuits. Pretty much food heaven! And of course, the obligatory flask of hot, sweet tea.

Meanwhile, I took off all my soaking clothes, and crawled into a sleeping bag and we waited. I felt somehow immediately among friends, and great conversation followed – as you might guess, some of it to do with faith and answered prayer!

I say we waited. Actually, I was all set for the night. We had all we needed for our comfort, and there was the promise of bacon butties for breakfast. The point was, the weather was so awful that to

have risked going down to base would have been to invite injury so, although I knew Les would be really worried, it was better to arrive hours later but safe, than to put ourselves at risk. In any case, we knew that mountain rescue would have been called out by now so it was only a matter of time before they arrived.

And, my friends predicted correctly, this bothy would be the first place they looked as it is where walkers head for shelter in emergency.

My legs had gone to jelly, my boots were squelching and full of water; I was feeling cold and shivery.

And so it was. About 9.30 the CMRT turned up, the first face I saw being that of Laura, a dedicated and influential member of Christ Church, Cockermouth, whom I know quite well. It was a bit embarrassing to meet her in such circumstances, but – hey – that’s one of her roles in life!

I then had to make a decision: ‘should I go, or should I stay?’ I was genuinely torn, as to be honest I was enjoying the adventure! Then I thought, these 20 or so mountain rescuers had come for me; and I didn’t think Les would be best pleased if, after all the consternation I’d caused, I actually chose to stay out all night!

So, changing into clean, dry clothes, I set off with the team to their Land Rovers at the top of Honister Pass. It took about 40 minutes in the dark and the rain, but I felt so different with a confident team of people who were all so kind and friendly.

At one stage, we crossed a stream which was ankle deep, over stepping stones. The stones would of course be slippery. ‘Just walk through’, said one of them. ‘You’re already soaked. And you walk on water don’t you!’

Then it was back to the car park by Land Rover; and Laura drove my car back into Cockermouth, from where I drove myself home. Here, I was met by a reception committee of Les, Sue (our administrator), Adrian and John, my clergy colleagues, and John’s wife, Sarah. It was a lovely welcome: I so much appreciated their support for Les, who had been incredibly calm throughout. Together we gave thanks to God for my rescue. It was about 11.15pm, about 10 hours since I had left!

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 67

Help support us by buying some of our Team merchandise WOOLLY HAT £7 one size fits all (please ring for other colours available)

PIN BADGE £3 Total £ PEN £1 Total £

Orange Total £

Sky Blue Total £

Burgundy Total £

SMALL TORCH £3 Total £

For mor info, ringe Chris Ab b on 0194 ot 6 861963

Yellow Total £ EMERGENCY BLANKET £3 Total £

LAND ROVER £6 Total £ SPORTS TOWEL £3 Total £

RUCKSACK ‘DRY BAG’ £5 Total £

WATER BOTTLE £3 Total £

SWEATSHIRT £17 Size(s) Colour(s) Total £

FLEECE full zip £22 Size(s) Colour(s) Total £

All clothing in chest sizes: S 36/38 M 38/40 L 40/42 XL 42/44 (please ring for other colours available) POLO SHIRT £15 Size(s) Colour(s) Total £

FLEECE 1/4 zip £20 Size(s) Colour(s) Total £

T-SHIRT £7.50 Size(s) Colour(s) Total £

MUG £4 Total £

XMAS CARDS Pack of five for £4 x Six packs for £20 x Total £

Please add P+P £2 for clothing and mugs and 50p for other items Total £

Name

Donation £

Address

Total enclosed £

Phone

Please make cheques payable to Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team and enclose with this form to: Chris Abbot, High Leys, Rowrah, Frizington, Cumbria CA26 3XT

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

Collection boxes 4play Cycles, Cockermouth Limelighting, Cockermouth Allerdale Court Hotel Link House B & B, Dubwath Art & Craft Shop, Cockermouth Lorton Shop Banks, Cockermouth Low Park, Loweswater Bassenthwaite Sailing Club Maureen Richardson Bassenfell Manor, Bassenthwaite Melbreak Hotel Bitter End, Cockermouth Mitchells, Cockermouth Black Bull, Cockermouth Moota Garden Centre Black Sail YH New Book Shop, Cockermouth Bridge Hotel, Buttermere North Lakes Clinic, Cockermouth Brown Cow, Cockermouth Oddies, Cockermouth Bush Inn, Cockermouth One Stop Shop, Cockermouth Buttermere Croft Café Ouse Bridge B & B, Bassenthwaite Buttermere YH Paper Shop, Cockermouth Cock & Bull, Cockermouth Parkside Hotel, near Frizington Commercial Inn, Dearham Percy House Museum, Cockermouth Crag Farm, Buttermere Pet Shop, Cockermouth Croft House B & B, Cockermouth

Pheasant Hotel, Bassenthwaite Cyclewise, Cockermouth Punch Bowl, Great Broughton Derwent Hill, Keswick Quince & Medler, Cockermouth Dockray Meadow, Lamplugh Sainsburys Inside Duke of Cumberland, Bridgefoot Sainsburys Outside Ennerdale Brewery, Rowrah Seth’s Bar, Cockermouth Ennerdale YH Scales Farm, Embleton Embleton Spa, Embleton Shills, Cockermouth Felldyke Bothy Sheila Richardson, Harrington Firns, Cockermouth Shepherds Arms, Ennerdale Fish Shop, Main Street, Cockermouth Ship Inn, Dovenby Fish Hotel, Buttermere Slatefell Stores, Cockermouth Fox & Hounds, Ennerdale Snooty Fox, Uldale Galloping Horse, Harrington Sole it, Lock it, Workington John’s Van, Buttermere Stork Hotel, Rowrah Golf Club, Cockermouth Swan Inn, Kirkgate, Cockermouth Grange Hotel, Loweswater Swinside End, Lorton Harrisons Butchers, Cockermouth

The Castle Bar, Cockermouth Heals Opticians, Cockermouth The Brow, Lorton High Crag Cottage, Buttermere Tourist Information Centre, Cockermouth Higham Hall, Bassenthwaite Top Cottages, Kirkgate, Cockermouth Honister YH Walkinshaw Garage, Workington Hundith Hill Hotel, Lorton Wellington Farm, Cockermouth Jennings Brewery, Cockermouth Wheatsheaf Inn, Lorton Julie’s Sandwich Bar, Cockermouth Wheatsheaf Inn, Embleton Jubilee Garage, Egremont Whinlatter Visitor Centre Kestral Lodge, Bassenthwaite Whitehaven Rambling Club Kingfisher Hotel, Cockermouth Wishes, Cockermouth Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater Woodhouse Guest House, Buttermere Lakeland Crafts, Buttermere Wyndham Caravan Park, Cockermouth Lakeland Guns, Workington Lifestyle Repairs, Station Street Lifestyle Fitness and Shapers Gym

CMRT Annual Report 2018 l 71

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

www.cockermouthmrt.org.uk

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

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