Last updated at 10:56, Tuesday, 11 September 2012

MOUNTAIN rescue teams have assisted stranded scramblers in a 13 hour operation.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team were called out just after midnight this morning after a 999 mobile phone call from three men walkers in the Lakes.

The men, who are in their early 20’s, had set off at 7.30pm yesterday evening with adequate equipment and ascended the mountain via the Flass Knotts, and up into Lingmell Crags to the north side of Piers Gill.

They became disorientated while ascending the craggy area in the low cloud and found themselves on extremely steep and dangerous ground.

The climbers were located in a very exposed location, high on the Lingmell Crags near Straight Gill.

Two team members undertook a serious climb to get to their location and make them safe, while further team members were called out to assist.
This included some very heavy loads being carried to the summit of Lingmell. Due to the conditions, the precariousness of their stance, it was decided to wait until first light before evacuating them up the crag.

A technical haul system using 400 metres of rescue rope was set up from the summit of Lingmell.

A team member was lowered more than 300 foot to reach the stranded scramblers.

The incident was closed at 1.30pm this afternoon. Eleven Wasdale team members, eight Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team members, plus two search dogs were involved in the 13 hour rescue.

This was the fifth rescue of the weekend for the Wasdale team, one.

The team said it is very grateful for the assistance from its neighbouring teams in a difficult rescue in horrendous weather. It also thanked the Horse and Groom Inn for the food and drink provided at the end of the rescue.

First published at 14:43, Monday, 10 September 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk