Group of men rescued from Scarfell Pike

[MrsSkylerWhite]

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.

They sound like twats. Pity the poor volunteers having to nanny these morons. They should be made to pay for the rescue, especially when they have chosen to defy warnings.

The mountain rescue team said they were ill equipped and inexperienced.

https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/24834500.lake-district-wasdale-mrt-called-five-walkers-climbing-scafell-pike/

"They were not equipped properly for full winter conditions on the high fells, and were also inexperienced. At times they were waist deep in snow. To their credit, they fully acknowledged their misjudgement in this attempt and were humble and thankful for the help, fully aware this could have ended with a much worse outcome.

If they were ill prepared, fair enough.

But my experienced relative walked off a UK mountain decades ago in a fog. It shouldn't have happened, but it did. Just like many sports things go wrong.

Not everyone wants to sit at home watching Netflix at the slightest warning. Without people pushing the limits there would be no one to rescue holiday makers trapsing around in flip-flops, injuring themselves on minor hills.

The vitriol is partly likely due to people having family and friends or simply hearing of people in their community that have lost their own lives trying to save people that take unnecessary risk such as this group.
I can't blame people for getting pissed off about that's like this lot.

I've always thought people who need rescuing because they ignore weather warnings or decide to do Crib Goch in thong sandals/with toddlers and dogs should have to pay the cost of their rescue. It would be a deterrent for at least some of the more arrogant climbers.

Not everyone wants to sit at home watching Netflix at the slightest warning.

It was a bit more than 'the slightest warning', and there are plenty of options for doing stuff outside even in bad weather without such very obvious risk.

LameBorzoi · Today 23:43

MrsSkylerWhite · Today 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.

I defer to your expertise but would say that during a two day amber warning there was never going to be a safe hike out window.

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.

Yes it seems they may have been stupid, but are you saying they shouldn’t be rescued? Really? Do you think we shouldn’t treat people who smoke when they get lung issues?

We help people, even the stupid ones.

Not everyone wants to sit at home watching Netflix at the slightest warning

Amber is hardly the slightest warning, @EveInEden

This group obviously shared your opinion. Didn’t go well, did it? Extreme selfishness and arrogance.

40-odd years ago my Venture Scout Leader decided to take us on a night hike over the moors near Halifax. The snow was thigh deep. My mother was raised in the dales and had taught us a healthy respect for the unknown. When I saw the terrain I refused to get out of the minibus. After much huffing they set off without me, but were back within the hour as one of the party had missed the path and stepped into a ditch so the snow was past his shoulders. They hoiked him out and came back.
You'd think the party leader would have had more sense but ill-placed confidence is such a masculine thing. I do hope the Scafell group are all ok.

Idiots☹️

Apparently they got to the top - the emergency happened on the way down

I do hope the Scafell group are all ok.

Yes, it sounds like they're suitably chastened so at least they've hopefully learned a lesson.

CrazyMadDog · Today 23:56

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.

Yes it seems they may have been stupid, but are you saying they shouldn’t be rescued? Really? Do you think we shouldn’t treat people who smoke when they get lung issues?
We help people, even the stupid ones.

I’m in two minds, tbh. You’re right, I suppose. Most of us do something we shouldn’t. In respect of smoking, personally I think there should be a one strike and you’re out policy.. treat the smoking induced illness but if the person continues to smoke thereafter, their right to treatment is cancelled. People know full well what the dangers are. If they choose to continue, on their heads be it.

Thats an whole, different thread, though 😁

Scottish mountain rescue teams spend all year bringing people off mountains. many experienced but many idiots too.
multiple deaths each year as well.

I really don’t know where to start with that or how it would work.

Life is complex, there are reasons people don’t always make the best decisions and I’m glad that we help people regardless. It makes us civilised.

I guess you must be perfect. 😬

I’m in two minds, tbh. You’re right, I suppose. Most of us do something we shouldn’t. In respect of smoking, personally I think there should be a one strike and you’re out policy.. treat the smoking induced illness but if the person continues to smoke thereafter, their right to treatment is cancelled. People know full well what the dangers are. If they choose to continue, on their heads be it.
Thats an whole, different thread, though😁

I really don’t know where to start with that or how it would work.
Life is complex, there are reasons people don’t always make the best decisions and I’m glad that we help people regardless. It makes us civilised.
I guess you must be perfect. 😬

The vitriol is because volunteers are putting their lives at risk to save people in dangerous conditions. I’m local to the area and understand accidents happen but if you choose to go out in extreme conditions is it really fair to ask someone to risk life and limb? The poor man below suffered a terrible injury and later died of complications. It’s not a walk in the park.

www.itv.com/news/border/2024-02-29/mountain-rescuer-paid-ultimate-price-for-lockdown-callout-inquest-finds

YADNU.

Mountain rescuers are risking their lives because of their stupidity.

Do you put your own life at serious risk to help, or do you sit back and expect others to do it and then pat yourself on the back for feeling ‘civilised’?

I think there is a large proportion of mountain and water rescue that relates to people being ill equipped and ill advised to do it.
Frustrating as it may be, human folly and error are the causes of many accidents and serious injuries. Even in an inner city emergency department many injuries could have been avoidable. That's just the fact of life really.

Rescuers won't always go in if conditions don't allow it. I know of one rescue in the last two months where hikers had to wait it out overnight as it wasn't considered safe to go after them. Surely the first rule of helping someone else is that you don't put yourself in danger to do it? The last thing a rescue agency needs is to have to have a second rescue in progress, which is why the criteria for search and rescue people is so high.

That's completely different.

Treating lung cancer doesn't involve anyone else putting their lives in danger. FFS. Think.

This happens all the time in the US, at the Grand Canyon, at Yosemite, in the Sierra Nevadas and dozens of other locations.
I remember the very experienced climber Julian Sands disappearing on Mt. Baldy and months later being accidentally found by a group of hikers.
He used the wrong spikes, the wrong jacket and should not have gone hiking alone.
His rescue was hindered by adverse weather conditions on the mountain.
Even people you think could never make a mistake make mistakes. Costly mistakes.
I don’t know what amateur hikers or amateur divers or amateur spelunkers are thinking.