At 18:30 on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, the Team were tasked by Cumbria Police to assist a lone walker who had been overtaken by darkness on Helvellyn and was unable to descend safely. The casualty was becoming severely cold in deteriorating summit conditions.

14 Team members were deployed, covering various routes to converge on the summit. At the summit, temperatures stood at 1–2°C, feeling closer to -4°C with a westerly wind of 13–16 mph gusting to 35 mph, accompanied by snow. The casualty was located, assessed, and found to be suffering from hypothermia.

Given the conditions and the casualty's medical state, a Coastguard helicopter was requested and, in what can only be described as exceptional flying in extremely difficult conditions, airlifted the casualty to hospital. The Team were stood down at 01:15, following an operation lasting 6 hours 45 minutes, with 14 volunteers giving a combined 94½ hours of their time.

Matt Cox, Team Leader, said: "Visitors to the Lakes are reminded that the weather on the high fells can often be far more serious than that in the valley bottom."

With the clocks going back this weekend, the Team would urge anyone heading into the hills to carry a torch and spare batteries — being caught out by darkness is one of the most common reasons we are called out. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set off, not just the forecast for the valley, and be prepared to turn back if conditions change. The summit will still be there another day.

We would like to extend our huge thanks to the Coastguard helicopter crew for their greatly appreciated assistance. Their skill and professionalism in terrible weather made a very significant difference to the outcome of this incident.

We wish the casualty a swift recovery.

On the 11 October 2026 at 13.55hrs Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was alerted by Cumbria Police to assist a walker in their 60s who had become unwell while ascending Heron Pike.

​The casualty, who had already been managing symptoms of a cold virus, developed sudden dizziness, severe nausea, and repeated vomiting, leaving them unable to safely continue walking or descend the fell.

​Two team response vehicles were dispatched and Team members proceeded on foot to reach the walker. Upon arrival, team medics assessed the casualty and administered anti-sickness medication.

​Given the steep terrain, the casualty's condition, and the distinct medical risk of managing an actively vomiting patient immobilised in a mountain rescue stretcher during a protracted descent, the decision was taken to request air support. HM Coastguard helicopter Rescue 899, deployed from Prestwick was tasked to assist with an aerial evacuation.

​The helicopter crew managed to land near the casualty site and flew them directly to the Patterdale MRT base. There, they were reassessed by a team doctor before being discharged into the care of their companions for onward transport to hospital.

​The callout involved 12 Patterdale MRT volunteers alongside the crew of Rescue 899 lasting 3.5 hours in total.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to HM Coastguard for their vital support during this incident.

On Saturday 12 September, Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team were asked to assist a man near the summit of Place Fell who had become unable to continue walking because of severe muscle cramps. Fortunately, with the help of kind passers-by, he was able to make slow progress down while seven volunteer team members climbed to meet the party at Boredale Hause.

The Team then took over and helped him down to the valley.