In a disappointing turn of events, a mountain rescue team in the Lake District is pleading with two walkers they rescued to settle their hotel bill from the incident. The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was called to an “avoidable” seven-hour rescue of the two young men on Scafell Pike on 29 December, in what they described as “treacherous” conditions.
After bringing the pair safely off the mountain, a manager at the nearby Wasdale Head Inn offered them snacks and a discounted room for the night. However, three weeks later, the £130 bill remains unpaid, and the walkers have made no effort to contact the hotel.
Despite the hotel waiving the fee for the rescue team, the volunteers feel “obliged to reimburse” the establishment to maintain their support in future emergencies. A spokesperson for the Wasdale team expressed their frustration, saying, “We avoid judging those we rescue but struggle to understand when the rescued take advantage of hospitality provided by our supporters in the valley.”
The walkers claimed they had left their money in a tent near Green Gable, which was left behind during the rescue. They had agreed to send the payment later, but this promise has not been kept. The rescue team also noted that the walkers “offered no thanks for the efforts of the hotel, asked for further reductions to the cost, pushed hard for a breakfast, and asked if they could arrange transport to get them out of the valley.”
Disappointingly, the phone number the walkers left with the hotel did not work, and they have failed to return the headtorches borrowed from the rescue volunteers during the descent. The team has tried to contact the pair to encourage them to settle the debt and return the equipment, but they have received no replies to date.
“We also would like to return their hospital crutch left in our vehicle that one of them with a previous leg injury had used on the ascent, but again, sadly no replies to date,” the spokesperson added.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by mountain rescue teams and the local businesses that support them. While the volunteers remain committed to helping those in need, they hope this case will serve as a reminder to all outdoor enthusiasts to be responsible and appreciative of the resources provided during emergencies.
