TORRENTIAL rain caused chaos on the mountains in Cumbria as a rescue team were called about six incidents in 12 hours.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team helped residents lost and stuck on the Lake District fells yesterday as heavy rain made paths and bridges impassable in places.

<strong>Details of each incident</strong>
1) The rescue team was notified by the police about a party of two reporting themselves lost somewhere on Scafell Pike. Using Sarloc the pair were located at Lingmell Col and a team member who was walking in the area helped to escort them back to Wasdale.

2) Two walkers reported themselves lost near the top of Scafell Pike. After discussion on the phone it was established they were likely to be near Broad Crag Col and were given directions to retrace their steps to the summit from where they met another Three Peaks party who helped walk them down to Wasdale. The team assembled at the base in case but were not required in the end.

3) Police contacted Wasdlae Mountain Rescue Team about a party of four who were reported as overdue from a Three Peaks attempt on Scafell Pike. They later made their own way off the mountain without assistance.

4) A different party of 11 also on a Three Peaks attempt on Scafell Pike were also reported overdue. They also made their own way off the mountain.

5) An emergency call that was cut short and subsequently traced to Scafell Pike. The team assembled ready for a search but the walker was later established to be safe and well.

6) A group of around 18 people were reported as stuck at the stream crossing on Lingmell Gill. By the time the team arrived many had made their own way off via the left hand bank but four people needed assistance to cross and be helped down to Brackenclose. The gill was particularly fast flowing and was only crossed by the team's swiftwater rescue technicians.

Safety advice

A post on the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team Facebook page today said: "The weather conditions were challenging in Wasdale yesterday and it would have been hard to predict Lingmell Gill and the other crossing points would get as difficult as they did.

"But it has to be said that once again many of the incidents we received were down to navigational errors and we would encourage all those heading up the mountains to check the weather forecast beforehand and have the ability to find their way with a map and compass when the cloud is down."

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