Mountain Rescue Team Flooded With Donations After Walkers' Disappearing Act
In a remarkable display of public generosity, the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team (WMRT) has received more than £38,000 in donations from supporters across the globe. This outpouring of financial support comes in response to an incident where two walkers, rescued by the team from treacherous conditions on England's highest peak, subsequently absconded without paying their hotel bill.
A Costly and Avoidable Rescue Operation
The saga began on December 29 when WMRT was called to Scafell Pike in Cumbria for what they described as an 'avoidable' rescue. The team embarked on a gruelling seven-hour operation to extract two walkers who had become stuck in dangerous weather on the mountain's challenging Corridor Route, just before the notorious Bad Step scramble.
After being located by a wild camper who heard their shouts and provided temporary shelter, the rescuers reached the pair. The team equipped the walkers with extra warm jackets and microspikes for a safe descent. Notably, one of the individuals was managing a pre-existing knee injury that worsened during the ordeal, requiring simple pain relief from the volunteers.
Hospitality Met With Ingratitude
Upon reaching the valley in the early hours, the wet and hungry walkers were taken in by the Wasdale Head Inn. The hotel's bar manager, Steve, kindly stayed up to provide snacks and offered them a room at a 35 per cent discounted rate. The walkers agreed to pay, claiming their money was in their tent near Green Gable, and promised to transfer the funds later.
However, the next morning brought disappointment. The pair offered no thanks to the hotel staff and instead requested further reductions on the room cost, a complimentary breakfast, and arranged transport out of the valley. Their requests were declined, and they were asked to transfer the £130 owed when possible.
The Unsettled Debt and Missing Equipment
More than four weeks passed with no payment and no contact. The phone number provided to the hotel proved inoperative. Furthermore, the walkers failed to return two head torches lent to them by the rescue team for their descent. A hospital crutch, used by one walker due to his previous leg injury, was also left behind in the rescuers' vehicle.
'We avoid judging those we rescue but struggle to understand when the rescued take advantage of hospitality provided by our supporters in the valley,' a WMRT spokesman stated, reflecting the team's frustration.
Global Outpouring of Support
After sharing the story to encourage the walkers to settle their debt, the rescue team was inundated with donations. Calls and contributions poured in from countries including America, Canada, Australia, France, and Spain.
Richard Warren of WMRT said the funds would be a 'tremendous help', with £130 allocated to cover the hotel bill and the remainder supporting the team's operational costs, which exceed £100,000 annually. 'The positive comments have really made such a difference among volunteers and hotel staff,' he added.
Moving Forward With Renewed Faith
Nigel Burton, owner of the Wasdale Head Inn, expressed disappointment but emphasised moving forward. 'We're really disappointed but there's no point being angry... I think the overwhelming emotion we've got is how really amazed we've been at the scale of the support and generosity of the public,' he said.
The hotel had agreed to waive the bill, but the rescue team felt obliged to reimburse them to maintain their vital support for future operations. The incredible public response has not only covered that loss but provided significant additional funding for the volunteer-led service.
This incident underscores the vital yet often underfunded work of mountain rescue teams and the unexpected ways community spirit can flourish in the face of disappointment.
