Letters

Just to say a big thanks to all your team who came and rescued me (vomiting, dehydrated and hypothermic) from near Grizedale Tarn on the evening of the 4th May. Names I recall from my fuzzy, sick state of mind include Tim the medic and Gin the dog, but there were something like 16 of you that arrived. Thanks to all - I really appreciate the speed and care you showed... you have amazing team work and great senses of humour for a dark weekend night (when I'm sure you all have better things you could be doing).

I'm sending a donation to you all today via your Treasurer -> something for other rescue attempts, and something for your Christmas party.

Just to give you a quick update on Richard (I am Gary - the one that called in the accident). Megan phones to say that they operated on him on Sunday and managed to save/wire his knee cap and reports are that the operation went well. He will be on crutches for 6 to 8 weeks and an expected recovery time of 12 months. I think the knee cap was in about 3 main pieces with a few fragments.

Thanks very much for your help/assistance on Saturday, it really really is appreciated.

Thanks to all for your efforts yesterday afternoon, 21st March, at the south end of Bass Lake.

I must say that I wasn't particularly aware who was there, but I'll express my immense gratitude to you all for getting me out of the predicament following my kayak capsize. Clearly words could not express the depth of my feelings on your arrival. Having somehow got to the shore - which increasingly looked unlikely in the conditions - my energy was spent and I don't wish to imagine the consequences had you not been swiftly on hand in response to Graeme's call.

Thank goodness that Keswick Mountain Rescue Team doesn't only do what it says on the tin!

Following evacuation to Cumberland Infirmary by the air ambulance, I was restored to a healthy 37C in good time, and now feel incredibly fortunate to have no after-effects other than some mild stiffness, numb fingers and an increased respect for the deceptively attractive local lakes.

We are writing to say thank you for rescuing us from the mountains on Saturday night.

After climbing Central Gully (Left Fork then Right Hand Branch), we were caught out by the unexpected blizzard conditions on the summit of Great End, and with a saturated map and low visibility, got disoriented. Then with darkness, heavy rain, very strong winds, and my friend suffering from low energy, we had to admit we were lost and in a bit of a mess.

Both of us have considerable climbing and mountaineering experience, and never thought we would have to call the Mountain Rescue Services. Indeed, we did not reach the decision lightly, knowing full well that the availability of your service is not a given right. We consider ourselves very lucky to have been able to contact yourselves via mobile phone. Our decision to carry various emergency provisions – head torches, fully charged mobiles, and especially whistles proved itself invaluable.

We have the greatest admiration and respect for your dedication, speed of response, and professionalism.

As a thank you, we have each donated a sum of money via your internet site, and shall also continue to put money in the collection boxes around the Lake District as we have done in the past.

Don’t know about you but I’m getting that feeling that we’ve been here before. Once again, we are extremely grateful to the members of Keswick Mountain Rescue Team who gave up their time on Sunday night to assist with the fire at Surprise View. The rapid response and also the way in which the team ensured the safety of all people involved in such difficult terrain was most impressive. Given the difficult access to the fire site, we would have undoubtedly lost a substantial area of SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) if it wasn’t for the teams assistance.

Hopefully, next Monday will be nice and quiet and I won’t be writing another letter to yourselves.

Can I relay my thanks to all the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team members who gave up their time on Sunday to assist with the fell fire at Watendlath. I am well aware that this type of activity is not your core rescue duty and very thankful that so many team members considered it a priority to attend. I was certainly impressed with the swift reaction and the effective way the fire was dealt with. Given the conditions the fire could well have spread further than it did, thankfully it did not progress into the heather stands beyond the Dock Tarn path in the direction of the prevailing wind. This is the second time in recent years we’ve asked for assistance from you and have not been disappointed with the response given, I’m sure the all nesting birds are sleeping more peacefully in their nests, certainly I am!

I wanted to express my sincere thanks to members of the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team who were involved in the search for my mother, Marjorie Darling, last night. It was a huge relief to us when she was found safe and it made me realise even more what a fantastic job you guys and the other emergency services do while the rest of us are tucked up in bed.

First of all thank you and all the members of your team for the rescue of my wife from the 'usual gully' beneath Sharp Edge and also for the support you gave after the rescue.

She was discharged from hospital just before Christmas and although she is still wearing a back brace and her arm is still affected by the stroke, she is making an excellent recovery.

Her consultant (a fell runner who may be known to you) is fairly certain that she slipped rather than had a stroke and then fell, but believes her strong constitution and determnation contributed much to her recovery.

Thank you so very much for your speedy response. Her fall caused both lungs to be punctured and an air bubble to develop which threatened her heart. A little longer on the mountain would have made a world of difference. I have read your website reports about so many similar accidents and know that not all rescue attempts have a successful outcome. My wife considers herself as lucky and we hope to be back on the fells eventually but will be avoiding such esposed places as Sharp Edge in the future.

We were standing on the diving board of the Half Dome in Yosemite last summer with a 3000' vertical drop. We intend cruising the canal on a narrow boat as a safe flat holiday in 2006!

THank you so much again for what you did and long may your efforts continue to be successful.

I have just learnt that a rescue had to be undertaken to find two missing walkers in the vicinity of Scafell Pike on the night of the 4th December. I have the strongest suspicion that I met these same two individuals.

At around 2.45pm, I arrived at the summit of Bowfell in poor conditions and on the last portion of my return journey to Langdale. At the summit I met a male wearing dark coloured clothing and a female in a light blue jacket with a European accent of some form, both aged in their mid-late twenties. To my surprise, they informed that me they were intending to ascend Scafell Pike. In the knowledge that light would soon be fading fast and that it would be impossible to complete their journey, I advised that they descend as quickly as possible for their own safety and within one and half hours. They expressed an appreciation of this reality and appeared confident in returning safely. I thought this not to be too unrealistic bearing in mind the relatively short journey to Esk Hause and the likelihood of reaching their final descent well into Grains Gill as darkness fell. However, after learning of this rescue, I am distressed at my own failure to assert a need to escort them off the mountain via The Band and safety of the ODG. In retrospect, it may have also been advisable to have asked them for a contact phone number. (Editor's note - there is no phone coverage in many parts of the Central Fells, especailly Eskdale, where they were found.

Assuming these are the same individuals, I would be interested to learn as to why they became so desperately lost? Was it that they continued to Scafell Pike or did I over-estimate their ability to reach the Grains Gill descent?

On Thursday morning, the 3rd November, whilst descending La Trigg in extremely heavy rain I had the misfortune to slip and break my ankle in two places, and as an added extra broke both my tibia and fibula in my right leg.

My wife and I were travelling with two friends and were for a second at a loss to know what to do for best, and finally decided 999 was the answer. Although we do not understand the procedure we understood that Keswick Mountain Rescue would be there as soon as possible, and we were delighted to see them within 30 minutes.

It is great that such organisations are available to people in need and all on a voluntary basis. As a token of my thanks I enclose a cheque to do with as you so wish. Please pass on to your team my thanks and gratitude.

On Saturday the 27th of August Keswick Mountain Rescue and the rescue helicopter came to the assistance of my 12 year old son Thomas. Tom had ridden off the edge of the track near 'Lonscale Crags'.

Although he has a broken leg and it seems like every part of him has either a bruise or a graze I am happy to report that he is absolutley fine and that he is as bright, chirpy and as active as ever. In fact I would not believe you could move so fast on crutches.

My wife and I would like to pass on our sincerest thanks to the members of the Keswick Mountain Rescue and Helicopter team for their efforts in rescuing Tom.

I am writing this letter from the comfort of my home in East Sussex in front of a warm fire. At one time last week Liz and I did not think we would easily see our home again. Thanks to efforts and training of a large group of people in Cumbria I can write this.

During one of the telephone calls made from the rescue centre to Liz she said we were scared, and we were. But when the lights appeared and then we met with the people who had come to our aid we were quickly settled into feeling very safe and secure. On the descent we were guided and assisted with great attention to detail ensuring everyone's safe return to the vehicles awaiting us. To our relief our son had also been kept well informed and was waiting for us at Keswick.

As we came down from the hills one of the team helping us spoke of the rivalry between the different rescue teams, emphasising that it was in fun. He said that we should make particular mention of the splendid Keswick whenever we could. I am doing that now. However when he said it I replied that at that precise moment I loved the whole of the mountain rescue service. I meant it then and I mean it now.

In the future I feel that I ill always be very reticent to talk about my experience on the hills, it is very deep and very personal. However I will always be able to talk in the most glowing terms about the Mountain Rescue Service. The whole team, the gentleman on the phone, the people ensuring radio coverage, those providing training and selecting equipment and those who go into the field combine to deliver a magnificent service.

This letter was meant to say thanks to you all. I hoped that I might say a great deal more than just thank you but the words are difficult to find. So please accept our thanks but try to read a lot more into it.

Please find enclosed a Gift Aid Form, along with a cheque, which is sent as a token of appreciation for the magnificent response of the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team in rescuing me on March 18 from a fall just below Sharp Edge on Blencathra.

Although in pain from a left arm broken in two places and a later diagnosed collapsed left lung, along with my neck broken in two places, knowing the team was responding to a call made by one of my two companions was extremely comforting.

I can't express in words the feeling of relief when Martin, a paramedic, arrived, shortly followed by other team members - forgive me for not remembering their names - who all assisted in getting me down to the helicopter. Two things stand out in my memory whilst I was being made ready for the stretcher firstly the professionalism which the team members brought to the situation, this had the affect of installing confidence to me. Secondly I'd lost my glasses during the fall and without them I'm completely disorientated, and I was asking (some would say shouting) could anyone see them - and much to my relief a team member actually found them for me.

I shall be always be grateful to the Team - their dedication, commitment and knowledge of search and rescue techniques I'm sure would place them firmly at the top of any mountain rescue league - I will be forever in your debt.

After three days at Carlisle Infirmary I was transferred to Newcastle General Hospital for more specialist help I remained there for a month and after two operations on my neck have now been discharged and referred to the QE at Birmingham for follow up treatment and expect to continue wearing a neck halo for another two months yet, by which time my arm should also be healed - I hope to put my boots on again late summer/early autumn - I promise to be more careful next time - honest.

I fell on The Fells on 5^th October, 2004 and for the rest of my life I am indebted to Keswick Mountain Rescue Team.

I first visited the Lake District in 1957 with my Secondary school. For ten days we camped by the side of Langstrath Beck, near Stonethwaite, Borrowdale and during this time I did a four day journey for the Silver badge of my Duke of Edinburgh Award. As a north Londoner, I was fascinated by the Lakes and Mountains. In fact, ever since I have loved Mountains, wherever they are.

For the past 27 years, in October, I have been on a walking holiday with family and friends in the Lake District, in my opinion, the most beautiful part of England. We have even formed a little walking group called “Watts Walkers” and designed our own logo for shirts and jumpers etc.

There were eleven of us walking on a fairly good path in Borrowdale, above Grange but below Maiden Moor. My friend in front of me called out, “Watch that rock there Geoff, it’s a bit loose.” Too late!! I suddenly found myself tumbling down the Fells. I am told I fell about 25 feet but was fortunate not to have fallen a further 125 feet. I had somehow managed to grab hold of some rocks, or some heather or ferns to stop my fall. Oh, I was in pain.

I managed to sit myself up. My back was very painful, a few of my party climbed down to me. I had a bad head wound and my friends stemmed the blood and dressed the wound with bandages. They also quickly realised there were other serious injuries. My breathing was very laboured, I could not breathe without making an awful gasping noise. My companions decided to summon the K.M.R.T via the Police. Thank heavens for the invention of the mobile phone and thanks also to my Pal Martin who carried a GPS position locating gadget. Those in my group made all efforts to keep me warm and keep me talking while we waited for assistance. Still the pain nagged at me, I was so pleased to hear the sound of the two tone horns of the K.M.R.T. emergency vehicles somewhere down in the valley. There they were showing blue lights and headlights shining. I saw them drive up from Grange and, out of my view, they parked their vehicles. Soon lots of red jacketed persons made their way up to where I was sitting.

It seemed in next to no time I was surrounded by many strangers, clad in their outstanding red anoraks, one introduced himself, but to me his name was irrelevant because he had an oxygen cylinder which gave me tremendous relief, but I still made this awful gasping noise, it seemed I could not breathe normally. Very efficiently, I was manoeuvred onto a stretcher without causing me too much more discomfort. A vast yellow plastic sheet was placed over me, a couple of my companions and several of the K.M.R.T. we were all inside our own tent without poles. A Doctor, part of the K.M.R.T., right up there on The Fells, examined me, a nurse in attendance too who was one of our walking party. I heard it was decided to summon a rescue helicopter. Looking back it seemed to be fairly soon before I heard the distinctive throb of a helicopter engine. I soon found that I was strapped into my stretcher and with a neck brace in place I was being manhandled with so many helpers. My yellow tent was removed and suddenly it seemed so cold. I had not realised how much protection this gave me from the cold wind. I was carried back to the path from where I had fallen and then down to where the”chopper” had landed.

I was placed into the rescue helicopter, and there I was on the floor of the aircraft. It was so very noisy. The crew all had earphones on, so they would be protected from the noise. I can remember being disappointed that I had not been winched up on the stretcher. The crew kept reassuring me and in no time at all we landed at West Cumberland Hospital. Less than 2 hours after my fall I was in Accident and Emergency. It was discovered that I had eight broken back ribs and I spent seven days in Intensive Care and in total eighteen days in hospital before being delivered home by ambulance to the South Coast.

The whole experience was a remarkable exercise in teamwork. A painful, yet unforgettable couple of hours and I should add that I am glad to say, I was fully conscious for the whole of the days incident.

THANK YOU KESWICK MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM AND THE HELICOPTER CREW FROM RAF VALLEY ON ANGLESEY.

I am sorry I have been so long in replying to you. My wife, May, has Alzheimer’s and has just undergone surgery on her eyes to have cataracts removed. As I look after her 24 hours a day you can imagine time is very limited.

Thank you so much for your letter and annual report. Unlike many reports it makes very interesting reading. You have asked me for my side of the story concerning my rescue by your team from Greenup Edge of 4 June 2003. As we all know hindsight is a wonderful thing in looking back to see where one goes wrong.

I was on the coast to coast walk and all was going well. I called at the Black Sail Hut YHA Hostel and had a cup of tea and a chat to everyone including two young Germans who were dressed in black and white, who said they were making for Honister YHA. I climbed up Loft Beck, which is extremely steep with boulders and overlooks running water. As I reached the summit I was pretty tired and a little concerned because there were no visible paths or signs, but high on a ridge I spotted the two young Germans dressed in black and white. I knew then that I was all right, as they had said they were going to the same place as me. So instead of going back and round, I made a short cut up this high ridge. This was on grass and a little slippery so it made me puff a bit. But it was worth the effort for all I had to do now was walk two or three miles down the old industrial tram track to Honister. But by this time I am fairly tired as I had walked along Ennerdale Water and through the Ennerdale Forest. But I am pretty fit, although I was 73 then and I had put in a lot of training so a good night's rest would put me right! This was just another days walking.

The Honister Hostel is not very nice as it is close to the noisy and dusty slate grinding works. I was in a room with several other men and had been asleep perhaps about an hour or so, when I was woken up by someone shouting and coughing loudly and this coughing became more frequent and louder and was very distressing. I seemed to be awake for ages so I got up and went to the

common room and pulled three soft chairs together and laid down on these. Just as I was settling down two other people followed my idea. As I was dozing off I could hear the birds starting to sing and it was getting light. The next thing I knew the hostellers were coming for breakfast, therefore, I had very little sleep at all and although I did not know, this was where my problems began.

I knew I would be tired, but I just carried on down Honister and into Borrowdale down through Seatoller and Rosthwaite, past the caravan site. I could see Eagle Crag over on the right. Then I met some Canadians and we all turned right at Smythies Island, (this was my second mistake) into the Langstrath Valley. I simply was not alert enough to realise I should have gone straight on past Eagle Crag. After three or four miles into Langstrath, over boulders, we met a couple coming towards us and after chatting to them 1 realised I had got it wrong, so it was back again, over all those rocks and boulders, to Smythies Island and I turned right, having done at least six miles in total on the wrong path.

So its past Eagle Crag, up Greenup Gill, which seemed to take ages and Lining Crag and the water fall and just when you think you are at the top, there's more to climb. I finally reached the last 20 feet or so, which was almost vertical, with just bits of rock sticking out, where countless walkers had worn the earth away. Some of these rocks were green and slippery with the constant dripping water. If I had slipped here, it could have meant real trouble. As I stepped up onto the top, which I now know is Greenup Edge, my boots sank straight into the bog and filled with icy cold water. This gave me a most awful shock and it was going to get worse. In vain 1 tried to find the path which had disappeared under the bog, so I went to the large tall rocks to get some shelter from the cold wind and to get my position worked out. I am several hours late owing to my foray into Langstrath, so it’s early evening. As I unfolded my map it simply took off high into the wind just like a kite and disappeared into the valley I had just climbed up.

Now came this really sinking feeling and at this point I realised I was in potential danger and my first thoughts were food and warmth. I changed my wet socks and gave my feet a long rub and put on another layer of clothing and ate as much food and drink as I could manage. I quickly had a large cheese sandwich left over from lunch. I almost demolished a bar of fruit and nut chocolate, an apple and banana and a good drink of water. I was getting glimpses of what I thought was Grasmere in the gaps in the mist, or low cloud, which made it rather dark and depressing at times. I felt I had to try some way out, so down I went (wrongly) into Wythburn Valley and my boots were still sinking in the ground. I soon turned direction back up again. I thought if I became stuck down there in the valley my mobile phone would be useless. When I got back up I had a final look round and there was still no sign of a path. I had no choice but to ring for help.

Finding a signal was very difficult of course. I stepped back to a large rock for shelter from the now very cold wind. On making contact, after several goes, to my great relief a comforting voice came through which turned out to be Mark. I established my position. After a while I could hear dogs and voices in another valley. Now that I knew help was coming I could concentrate on keeping warm by flapping my arms and other exercises. Feeling better now I made several attempts at taking photographs. Throughout all of this I was so cold and could not stop shaking. The only decent photograph I got was the one that hangs in your team's waiting room. It was the sunrays and the dark outlines of what I now know was Glaramara. This is what caught my attention.

Your team found me just after dark and my feelings were of great joy and emotion. The team was just so wonderful and found me accommodation in Portinscale. The staff were wonderful and a soak in a hot bath was so welcoming. By this time it was 3.45am. The staff said they would call me for breakfast at 9.45am as breakfast finished at 10.OOam. Although feeling refreshed I knew that I would be tired, so I took the bus to Grasmere, a place I know so well and love. So t rested here all day and replenished my food stocks and had some civilised meals. As I expected I became tired and after finding some digs had an early night.

The next day I got up, keen to get going again and climbed up to Grisedale Tarn. This was to be the height of my trip, over Helvellyn to Patterdale but there was low cloud and it was raining, so for safety sake it was down to Patterdale Common to Patterdale. I was tired again but did not realise just how tired I was, for after my stay in Patterdale I went onto the fell bound for Bampton and Shap. At this point I finally realised I was so tired and could not carry on. It is 9 miles of wilderness to Bampton and too much of a risk. So I came down off the fell and caught the bus to Windermere and the train home.

As you can see, I started writing this in this in the spring, but so much has happened since then, that only now have I been able to complete the story. When my wife's eye treatment finished half way into June, she then got shingles all up her legs, it was dreadful, and took ages to get better.

On Oct 30 she went into hospital with pneumonia and we almost lost her in the first week, she is still in hospital and is not able to walk yet, so she will have to go into a nursing home to try and get her going again.

I hope that you and your team have had a successful year. Please give my regards to Mark and Co.

The first night we had an introductory session, during which we learnt how the team works and were shown around the base. We were overwhelmed by the organisation, hard work and small touches that make the operation run so smoothly. We went on two call-outs during our visit a cardiac arrest and a search. From these two highly contrasting incidents we learnt a huge amount about the elements involved in coordinating and carrying out a successful rescue. The efficiency and slickness with which the rescues are carried out is remarkable but what touched us most was the compassion and sensitivity of team members at the incidents and afterwards.

We enjoyed the Thursday night exercise it was good to see how various procedures that we had just learnt on our A& E rotation (and some others that we hadn’t considered!) are put into practice in an outdoor setting. We would like to thank the team for giving us this unique opportunity. At medical school we are asked to nominate people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in helping us. This most definitely applies to the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, for the help and kindness they showed us but more importantly in the work they do in and around Keswick every day.

To be feeling absolutely helpless at over 2000 feet on a cold, rocky top, suffering a particularly painful injury, and then to find a doctor, a paramedic and other devoted carers miraculously appear - it is just impossible to express the relief.

Even as they were examining me I heard the welcome sound of a helicopter which must have been called. Although it seemed an age, I was in facgt quickly carried to it and a quarter of an hour later was being tended in the Cumberland Infirmary, thiry miles away.

What a service, and what commitment on the part of all those involved! I shall be forever grateful.

I am writing to you on behalf of the xyz Mountaineering Club to express our thanks for the efforts that you made on behalf of our member, Mr X, who was overdue in the Lakes on the night of Sunday 8th June this year.

As a mountaineering club we try to ensure that people going into the hills are properly equipped and are competent to tackle what they are attempting. This being especially important for those members without a great deal of experience.

I do not know what level of debrief that the Langdale team gave to David when he eventually reached civilisation, but I suspect that it was relatively mild compared to that which he received from his wife when he got home! I am also fairly certain that the other club members will not forget to remind him of it at regular intervals!

I met a number of you on 12th May this year in, if you don't mind me saying, less than ideal circumstances.

My wife, Nina, had somehow managed to catapult herself from her mountain bike down Dash Falls, Back O' Skiddaw and most of us present, myself included, doubted for a while whether she would get out of that gill alive.

Thankfully, due to the quick work of those at the scene, in particular Jill and Co. of the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, Nina is here, at home, resting and looking forward to returning to work next week! (17 June.) Apart from her whiplash, concussion and some fairly impressively coloured bruising, Nina only sustained a break to her clavicle and two bones in her hand! What's more, she has ambitions to be back on her bike by 1st August!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for what you did that day, I think you'll agree that at 26 I'm too young to be a widower, and without your calm efficiency on the day, that's what I might well have been.

A few of the many MTBers that were witness to the event are keen to show their gratitude by undertaking a sponsored C2C 24 hour bike ride in early August.

Just a short letter to express our gratitude to you all for saving our lives following the fall on Scafell Pike on the evening of the 22nd October. Despite my loss of memory following the fall, I am able to remember some aspects, one being the welcome sight of your dogs in their luminous collars and the other being the sense of your superb professionalism. Many thanks and apologies for having to call you out on a foul evening. You are truly priceless.

It's hard to know where to start to thank you for bringing me down from Glaramara on Saturday evening - what can I say? Without you I would have had a miserably cold and wet night and who knows what that might have meant?

I do hope that those who got hurt were not seriously injured - someone hurt their ankle, someone else bashed their knee and a third person did something painful to their back (ed. all minor and insignificant). How you managed to carry that stretcher over boulders, down steps and over holes (I remember the words very clearly), I will never know. What a comfy ride it was for me, but not for you.

I'll never forget Mark's voice on the phone reassuring and helpful, or the chap who first found me with his dog. And you all put up with me recounting the tale endlessly (it's just a relief to see people and to feel safe). I hope Simon made it to his nephew's 21st and didn't miss all the food too!

You really are a remarkable team, so good-humoured and unjudgemental too. Needless to say my gratitude was mixed with guilt at having dragged youo all out but my legs have never let me down like that before and I've done many a ridge walk of that length. So I've learned many lessons (particularly how much I now love mobile phones!) and will never walk without a torch again - and it will be a long time before I venture off on my own again, I can tell you.

I should particularly like to thank Brian and his wife who so generously offered to put me up and feed me. And Brian had to hang around till the hospital hade done with me and my friends turned up to take me home.

Anyway, I'm fine now, if a little stunned about what happened, and I'd like to make a contribution by way of a thank you, so please accept the enclose cheque for your funds.

I am writing to thank the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team again for their help and prompt response when I got stuck at Robin's Fold at the end of November. I shall always be grateful that you found me and were able to get me down in one piece.

My thanks go to the whole team, as I realise that you all work together to provide a professional rescue service. In particular, however, I have to single out (member 1) and (member 2). I can honestly say that I have never been more pleased to see two total strangers, and am really humbled to think that they were prepared to give up their evening to look for me. They were kind, reassuring and welcoming, and I can't thank them enough (despite the jokes about the wolves!).

Thanks also to (member 3) and the other team members at the base who were so good to my husband while he was waiting for me. It was a truly sterling team effort for which I shall always be grateful.

I enclose a donation ... I hope that it will help you to continue your excellent work. Once ahgain, many thanks.

Dear Roy & KMRT,

I am sending this message to thank you very much for your assistance on Sat 20th 18.00 approx. (Dave, Sarah & Rick). Details of what happened are as follows: We started the route (SE gully) at about 10.40am. There was a long wait at the bottom 25 mins to start the climb (this was the first time any of us had done this route). We had not seen many climbers on the route and so thought it wouldn't be too slow however, one pair was very slow on the 2nd pitch. We got up the first two pitches quickly and came to the small amphitheatre where there was another bottleneck with 4 climbers ahead of us. We decided to take the left hand variation leading to snowslopes as stated in the guide. The first pitch of this was ok but very thin. We then came to a rock pitch of 10m which was steep and no snow or ice. It proved to be very hard for us (I'd say a good grade 4+ mixed) Rick led it and fell off and got up it the 2nd time. By 3.45 we were all up it.

We did not find the snow slope but icy rock and an indistinct route possibly leading to further difficulties. We were aware of the urgent need to get off the crag. We decided to abseil back into the gully where we knew the standard and condition of the route. We saw the helicopter close by and decided reluctantly to signal (we are aware that we did not know or rather remember the correct signal) We then decided to carry on climbing if possible: when Roy arrived I had just about got to the final snowslope. At the point that we signalled though we had no idea how great the climbing difficulties ahead would be and darkness was fast approaching: a hard ice pitch in the dark with only the one small headtorch would have probably stopped us.

We feel somewhat ashamed of having to be rescued as obviously you have done something badly wrong if you have to request help. I think we should have attempted to abseil down when the going and time became critical. We have a lot of experience between us in all aspects of Alpine, rock & ice climbing in many countries over a period of 15-20 years and we think we know our limitations and abilities: this time however we were caught out by the conditions which we did not have the experience to predict ie how the climbing difficulty would be affected. This is the first time any of us has had to ask for help.

Once again very many thanks for your help and the sympathetic way in which you went about it and especially to Roy who was really reassuring and inspired confidence. Thanks to Andy ?? for the loan of his hat and moral support which was really necessary at the time. We will be sending a donation to your treasurer.

How does someone start to write a thank you letter to the people who saved their life? I am sure that you receive many, many letters each year saying thank you for all the hard work that you put into helping out those walkers and climbers that get into some kind of difficulty. I would however like to point out to whoever reads this letter that the men involved in the heroic rescue of my friend and myself have proved themselves to be superhuman! The level of skill, fitness and professionalism that they used was of the highest standard. I can only hope and pray that the men who risk their own lives each time they make a rescue come to no harm.

This letter not only thanks the team who made the actual rescue but those who played and equally important part in the co-ordination of the climbers. I know that without your efforts the team would not be as successful as it is.

As a regular walker in the fells of the Lake District, I have learnt that the weather is extremely unpredictable, and as such you should endeavour to be as prepared as possible. We had hoped that the joint experience and equipment that we had would be all that we needed, but as proved, the elements can't be beaten.

Letters

Letters - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - Great End - 2007 - 2008 - Sharp Edge - Statistics

Letters - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - Great End - 2007 - 2008 - Sharp Edge - Statistics