Lining Crag (148)

Callout Date: 21/10/2026
Callout Time: 8:29 pm
Agencies Involved: Keswick MRT, Penrith MRT

A 30 year old lone female on a circuitous route from Langdale to Borrowdale in order to visit various tarns had met other walkers earlier in the day who were concerned about her as she seemed to be inexperienced and poorly equipped. As she had no torch they lent her one of theirs. Sensibly they also gave her their mobile number should she need it. Quite some time later she contacted them to say she was lost in the dark and was cold and wet. This was reported to Cumbria Police who called out the team.

Luckily there was mobile signal and the team were able to speak with the woman. From initial contact it seemed that she was at risk of becoming hypothermic (if not already) as it was raining heavily with high winds and that a stretcher evacuation may be required. In light of the remote and difficult location assistance was requested from Penrith MRT and a Coast Guard helicopter. Keswick Team members approached from Stonethwaite and a hasty party reached the casualty about 22.20hrs. After giving her warm dry clothing and some hot drink and food she was assessed and was able to walk with assistance slowly down. The casualty had booked to stay at Borrowdale YHA, but they have a strict policy of no admission after 23.00 hrs. In the meantime the informant had made arrangements for the woman to stay at Grasmere YHA for the night so on arrival at Stonethwaite she was driven round to Grasmere by a team member. Coast Guard Rescue 899 was tasked but was diverted to a severely hypothermic casualty on Helvellyn summit. Many thanks to the five Penrith MRT members for their assistance on a manky night and also very well done to the other walkers who went above and beyond helping this woman.

18 Keswick MRT and 5 Penrith MRT members – 4 hours 51 minutes