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Original poster

Group of men rescued from Scarfell Pike

197 replies

MrsSkylerWhite · 05/01/2025 22:38

Up to their waists in snow, apparently.
What sort of idiot decides to go on a hike when there’s an amber warning, meaning risk to life, in place?

If you want to kill yourselves, go ahead. Don’t expect to be rescued though when you inevitably get into trouble, putting other people’s lives at risk.

OP posts:
PreferMyAnimals · 05/01/2025 23:30

MrsSkylerWhite · 05/01/2025 23:29

PreferMyAnimals · Today 23:24
**
As an experienced hiker, I know the elements can get you unexpectedly. You can plan and still get caught out. I go out with all the gear in case of unexpected changes, but carry a means of satellite communication, in case the unanticipated happens. I hope to never need rescue but you never know. If I do, it won't be idiocy or lack of preparation on my part. Previous poster said it was injury and they seemed to know what they were doing, so it sounds like bad luck and fair rescue. These things happen and they were prepared to call for rescue, so they were responsible and well equipped.
On the other hand, I also constantly see people heading into the wilderness poorly or inappropriately equipped, who then go on to need rescue. So that happens a lot too.

Would you set off with an amber warning in place?

I don't live in an area where amber warnings are a thing, so can't really answer that as I don't have the knowledge. I don't head in when there are severe weather warnings though.

Original poster
MrsSkylerWhite · 05/01/2025 23:32

Fair enough, @PreferMyAnimals

OP posts:
LameBorzoi · 05/01/2025 23:33

MrsSkylerWhite · 05/01/2025 23:29

PreferMyAnimals · Today 23:24
**
As an experienced hiker, I know the elements can get you unexpectedly. You can plan and still get caught out. I go out with all the gear in case of unexpected changes, but carry a means of satellite communication, in case the unanticipated happens. I hope to never need rescue but you never know. If I do, it won't be idiocy or lack of preparation on my part. Previous poster said it was injury and they seemed to know what they were doing, so it sounds like bad luck and fair rescue. These things happen and they were prepared to call for rescue, so they were responsible and well equipped.
On the other hand, I also constantly see people heading into the wilderness poorly or inappropriately equipped, who then go on to need rescue. So that happens a lot too.

Would you set off with an amber warning in place?

If I were training for an arctic expedition, yes. Or if I were interested in a career in search and rescue.

You can do everything right and still have things go wrong.

TheWonderhorse · 05/01/2025 23:34

LameBorzoi · 05/01/2025 23:12

I get the annoyance, but it's the sheer level of vitriol that gets me.

I've done a lot of wilderness stuff. It's really not as black and white as people are assuming. If you need experience for difficult conditions overseas, this is how you get it. And it's really easy to make an error of judgement (and no, I've never had the need to be rescued).

And the volunteers who rescued them - doing things like this is how they became experienced enough to do it.

It's the arrogance of it. The mountains are dangerous, and there's so many dickheads who reckon they can do it easy in flip flops with no top on and then charities have to send volunteers up at a cost of thousands in a helicopter to get the hypothermic morons with broken ankles down. These people don't know where they are on the mountain because who needs maps, and tend to find the whole thing funny. It's not funny.

Ponkeypink · 05/01/2025 23:35

LameBorzoi · 05/01/2025 23:12

I get the annoyance, but it's the sheer level of vitriol that gets me.

I've done a lot of wilderness stuff. It's really not as black and white as people are assuming. If you need experience for difficult conditions overseas, this is how you get it. And it's really easy to make an error of judgement (and no, I've never had the need to be rescued).

And the volunteers who rescued them - doing things like this is how they became experienced enough to do it.

Surely a severe weather warning for snow and ice, across the whole country, is enough to say not today boys. Come on now…

Regarding your last paragraph, I don’t think that’s the point! They do it because they are good people, but they also have families who hope they are safe too.

LameBorzoi · 05/01/2025 23:35

TheWonderhorse · 05/01/2025 23:34

It's the arrogance of it. The mountains are dangerous, and there's so many dickheads who reckon they can do it easy in flip flops with no top on and then charities have to send volunteers up at a cost of thousands in a helicopter to get the hypothermic morons with broken ankles down. These people don't know where they are on the mountain because who needs maps, and tend to find the whole thing funny. It's not funny.

Show quote history

Do we know this is the case in this case? Or was it a prepared group who had someone twist an ankle?

PreferMyAnimals · 05/01/2025 23:36

LameBorzoi · 05/01/2025 23:33

If I were training for an arctic expedition, yes. Or if I were interested in a career in search and rescue.

You can do everything right and still have things go wrong.

Show quote history

Snow camping and hiking are things too. I considered joining search and rescue and some of the criteria was around specific snow experience, which I didn't have and don't plan to get. So I can't do that. Things happen. People fall and injure themselves doing stupid things or through bad luck in cities all the time too. Do we complain when they need help?

TheWonderhorse · 05/01/2025 23:36

No. I'm generalising. No idea about this specific group.

Ponkeypink · 05/01/2025 23:36

PreferMyAnimals · 05/01/2025 23:24

As an experienced hiker, I know the elements can get you unexpectedly. You can plan and still get caught out. I go out with all the gear in case of unexpected changes, but carry a means of satellite communication, in case the unanticipated happens. I hope to never need rescue but you never know. If I do, it won't be idiocy or lack of preparation on my part. Previous poster said it was injury and they seemed to know what they were doing, so it sounds like bad luck and fair rescue. These things happen and they were prepared to call for rescue, so they were responsible and well equipped.

On the other hand, I also constantly see people heading into the wilderness poorly or inappropriately equipped, who then go on to need rescue. So that happens a lot too.

Edited

It says they weren’t well equipped in the news.

LameBorzoi · 05/01/2025 23:38

Ponkeypink · 05/01/2025 23:35

Surely a severe weather warning for snow and ice, across the whole country, is enough to say not today boys. Come on now…

Regarding your last paragraph, I don’t think that’s the point! They do it because they are good people, but they also have families who hope they are safe too.

Show quote history

My point was that if you haven't hiked in these type of conditions, then you can't do search and rescue in them - you don't have the skills. You acquire the skills by going out in these types of conditions.

RandomButtons · 05/01/2025 23:38

Thatcastlethere · 05/01/2025 22:46

Tbf we don't know how experienced they were.. some people ice climb and will specifically climb when theres been snowfall in order to get that experience.
Its good practice for climbing taller mountains abroad which have ice all year round. They may have had all the proper equipment and skills but just fallen into bother.

However if they just thought they were going on an easy hike and rocked up with no experience or equipment then yes they are idiots.

“Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team said: “They were not equipped properly for full winter conditions on the high fells, and were also inexperienced.”

cumbriacrack.com/2025/01/05/unprepared-walkers-rescued-after-getting-lost-in-lake-district/

Original poster
MrsSkylerWhite · 05/01/2025 23:39

Do we know this is the case in this case? Or was it a prepared group who had someone twist an ankle?

Why would the whole group need to be rescued? Surely they could have helped their team member down if they are prepared and experienced?

OP posts:
PreferMyAnimals · 05/01/2025 23:39

Ponkeypink · 05/01/2025 23:36

It says they weren’t well equipped in the news.

Show quote history

I haven't read the news, I'm speaking generally.

I do see people going into wilderness areas in flip flops carrying little to no water. They have their phones but maybe don't realise they might not have reception a little further in. I silently do judge them.

I also am aware of the hazards and how quickly things can turn through no fault of the person involved, even if well equipped.

BettyBardMacDonald · 05/01/2025 23:39

Climb at one's own risk.

No one doing anything so foolish should be rescued at others' risk and expense.

LameBorzoi · 05/01/2025 23:40

Ponkeypink · 05/01/2025 23:36

It says they weren’t well equipped in the news.

Show quote history

The news seems to often get it wrong in these situations. They want to whip up as much indignation as possible. "Perpared group twisted ankle" does not sell papers / generate clicks.

PreferMyAnimals · 05/01/2025 23:40

MrsSkylerWhite · 05/01/2025 23:39

Do we know this is the case in this case? Or was it a prepared group who had someone twist an ankle?

Why would the whole group need to be rescued? Surely they could have helped their team member down if they are prepared and experienced?

That depends on how badly injured someone is and what kind of terrain and distance is involved helping an injured person back. Sometimes you can't do it.

Original poster
MrsSkylerWhite · 05/01/2025 23:41

RandomButtons
“Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team said: “They were not equipped properly for full winter conditions on the high fells, and were also inexperienced.”

Oh FFS! Point proven, I think. Bloody idiots. They should be made to at least cover any costs involved in their rescue and make a sizeable donation to Wasdake Mountain Rescue.

OP posts:
PreferMyAnimals · 05/01/2025 23:42

MrsSkylerWhite · 05/01/2025 23:41

RandomButtons
“Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team said: “They were not equipped properly for full winter conditions on the high fells, and were also inexperienced.”

Oh FFS! Point proven, I think. Bloody idiots. They should be made to at least cover any costs involved in their rescue and make a sizeable donation to Wasdake Mountain Rescue.

I would be happy to take out some sort of insurance to help pay for a rescue if I ever needed it. However, you know that many who get into trouble and need help and rescue won't have it. They won't be left to die.

Ponkeypink · 05/01/2025 23:42

LameBorzoi · 05/01/2025 23:38

My point was that if you haven't hiked in these type of conditions, then you can't do search and rescue in them - you don't have the skills. You acquire the skills by going out in these types of conditions.

Show quote history

I’m sure they can train well enough, without needing the ‘help’ of the public to go up the highest mountain in the lakes on the worst day when there is a national weather warning.

As I’ve said previously, it says in the news they weren’t prepared. Had they been more prepared they may not have needed rescuing. It doesn’t seem like a case of bad luck that can happen to anyone, it’s selfishness on their part.

LameBorzoi · 05/01/2025 23:43

MrsSkylerWhite · 05/01/2025 23:39

Do we know this is the case in this case? Or was it a prepared group who had someone twist an ankle?

Why would the whole group need to be rescued? Surely they could have helped their team member down if they are prepared and experienced?

That is not how it works in tough terrain. You may not be able to extract an injured person without specialised equipment, especially if you are fatigued. And if you've been sitting with an injured person, you will miss your deadline for a safe hike out.

JMSA · 05/01/2025 23:43

I haven't read it, but can only surmise that they're fucking halfwits.

LameBorzoi · 05/01/2025 23:45

Ponkeypink · 05/01/2025 23:42

I’m sure they can train well enough, without needing the ‘help’ of the public to go up the highest mountain in the lakes on the worst day when there is a national weather warning.

As I’ve said previously, it says in the news they weren’t prepared. Had they been more prepared they may not have needed rescuing. It doesn’t seem like a case of bad luck that can happen to anyone, it’s selfishness on their part.

Show quote history

See above about the news in these situations

RandomButtons · 05/01/2025 23:45

LameBorzoi · 05/01/2025 23:12

I get the annoyance, but it's the sheer level of vitriol that gets me.

I've done a lot of wilderness stuff. It's really not as black and white as people are assuming. If you need experience for difficult conditions overseas, this is how you get it. And it's really easy to make an error of judgement (and no, I've never had the need to be rescued).

And the volunteers who rescued them - doing things like this is how they became experienced enough to do it.

If you’re training for hard conditions overseas you train for it, and usually take a guide/someone more experienced.

At least that’s the way I was taught to do it, and would still do it.

There’s far more people who just enjoy a bit of hiking and have no real clue how to handle mountains than there are who do. I live close to Pen y Fan and the amount of people that climb it in flip flops or daps is staggering.

Ponkeypink · 05/01/2025 23:45

LameBorzoi · 05/01/2025 23:40

The news seems to often get it wrong in these situations. They want to whip up as much indignation as possible. "Perpared group twisted ankle" does not sell papers / generate clicks.

Show quote history

I’ll assume they are correct in this instance. A pp has added a link.

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