Helvellyn (25)

Callout Date: 03/07/2020
Callout Time: 9:30 pm
Agencies Involved: Keswick MRT

Two ladies in their twenties and a sprocker spaniel set off at 2pm from St John’s in the Vale Church to do a circular walk to take in a number of Wainwright listed fells starting with Clough Head. The women were experienced fell walkers and were well dressed for the pretty awful weather that was forecast. Armed with their guide book and phones they made steady progress but somehow missed their turn just after Stybarrow Dodd where they should have turned down to descend to the valley from Sticks Pass. They continued along the ridge in the cloud, rain and wind gradually becoming aware that they had gone too far. With phone batteries almost dead and darkness approaching they called 999 and asked for Mountain Rescue assistance. Using Phone Find the location of the women was established as the summit of Helvellyn. A small team was sent to find and escort the couple back to the valley.
It was a warm and wet walk up from Swirls until approaching the top of Brown Cove Crags where the wind increased dramatically and the temperature dropped. The women and dog were located at the summit shelter and were walked off the hill before being driven back to their vehicle. A reminder that even in mid summer the weather can be appalling on the tops. The women were prepared for the conditions but would have benefitted from a map, compass and head torches.

10 team members – 3 hour 30 minutes