
Cold and lost walkers at Grisedale Tarn
A team vehicle above Ullswater. A general photograph — not taken at this callout.
Home / Incidents / Callout 23 · 16 March 2026
Callout 23
Whilst Patterdale Mountain Rescue were preparing to depart to a rescue on Birks fell a second call was received via Cumbria Police requesting assistance for a couple walking above Grisedale Tarn towards the summit at Dollywaggon Pike. The weather in the morning had been clear and dry however it was now freezing cold driven rain and the couple were becoming cold and disorientated in the cloud.
After an initial conversation with the Duty Leader there location was established and it was agreed that they would follow the path to the Tarn which was now visible before heading down towards Grisedale. This allowed the casualties to keep warm whilst walking along a single path to ensure they didn’t get lost. Simultaneously two team members were deployed to walk up the valley to ensure they were safe and to assist them back to the Patterdale MR base.
Once at the base they were given chance to thaw out before arranging a lift back to their car.
The callout in numbers
4
Team members
2½
Hours on the hill
23
Callout of the year
Other agencies
Cumbria Police.
With thanks to Cumbria Police.
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The team receives no government funding. Every rope, radio and Land Rover is bought with money the public gives us.
