Open Challenge Series 2009

richieev · Last edited by richieev on Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:40 pm; edited 2 times in total

Rescuers issue three peak warning

Mountain rescuers in Cumbria are urging walkers who attempt three peaks challenges to keep updating emergency crews if they get into difficulties. It comes after a group of 11 contacted police when a number turned back while climbing Scafell Pike, but did not then call back to explain they were safe.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was put on alert, but when nothing more was heard the rescuers were stood down.

A team spokesman said walkers should never call police on "a whim".

Thousands of people attempt the three peaks challenge during the summer, climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland, Snowdon in Wales and Scafell Pike in England - each the highest mountain in its respective country.

'Well prepared'

The challenge has grown more popular in recent years and has been increasingly criticised by conservation bodies and local residents, who complain of increases in traffic.

Cumbria's mountain rescuers are particularly busy during this period, and a Wasdale team member spotted 57 minibuses parked at Wasdale Head on Saturday night.

Richard Warren, the team's chairman, said: "Somehow we need to get the messages across that teams need to be well prepared and fit enough to complete the challenge.

"If they do get into difficulties you cannot just call the police on a whim and then carry on and finish the challenge without informing anyone that you are safely down."

richieev · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:31 pm Post subject:

Peak challengers urged to prepare

Charity fundraisers are being urged not to venture on to mountains unprepared. Cumbria's Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was called out five times from Thursday night to Sunday morning to help people attempting the Three Peaks challenge.

The task involves climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales - Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon - in 24 hours.

Rescuers said many of those taking part lack basic navigation skills, such as reading a map and compass.

Bill Pattison is the president of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, having retired as team leader after 22 years. He said he had had concerns for 20 years.

Environmental impact

He said whilst many of the bigger charities ran properly organised events, there were smaller groups who were not properly prepared and mountain rescue teams were having to act as "unpaid guides".

"What they are being asked to do is go up and sort problems which could have been avoided if they could navigate.

"A particular worry is that they will be so tied up with this, if someone had a bad mountain accident, they wouldn't be in a position to respond", he said.

One of the problems was people's reliance on mobile phones and their feeling that if they had one they were safe but that did not compensate for a lack of navigation skills.

richieev · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:57 pm Post subject:

Walkers' vehicles hamper rescue

Mountain rescuers are concerned that vehicles used by walkers attempting the three peaks challenge are causing problems on Lake District roads.

The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team said it was hampered by parked vehicles on its return from an incident on Sunday.

The team was called out when a three peak challenger became separated from his companions in heavy rain and low cloud near the summit of Scafell Pike.

A number of other walkers attempting the challenge also needed assistance.

Highest mountain

The team had significant difficulty getting the rescue vehicles back down the valley due to the severe congestion on the road from three peaks challengers' vehicles parked up.

Thousands of people attempt the three peaks challenge during the summer, climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland, Snowdon in Wales and Scafell Pike in England - each the highest mountain in its respective country.

It has grown more popular in recent years, sparking criticism from conservation bodies and local residents who complain of an increase in traffic.

Rescue teams were also concerned about the number of walkers who were ill-equipped for the challenge.
_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm

richieev · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 11:47 pm Post subject:

http://www.wasdale-mountain-rescue.org.uk/callouts~2007.htm

Wasdale Mountain Rescue:

June 2007

7:36 30/06/07( 11.48 p.m.) - Saturday

Wasdale MRT was called to rescue a young male walker who had collapsed on the summit of Scafell Pike. He was in a party of three who were doing the Three Peaks Challenge. The three walkers were all in the twenties and from outside the area. One of the party had become separated from the other two whilst he was trying to get help from his mobile phone. He had an altimeter watch therefore no grid reference was available but he could give an elevation. [It's worth noting that these watches can be up to 100m out due to air pressure variations if they've not recently been reset. The team searched where the party said there were but did not find anyone.

The team widened the search and at 3.45 a.m. the collapsed walker was found on the Eskdale side of the mountain. He was given food and warmed in a bivvy tent and could eventually be walked off the mountain down to Wasdale Head. After a further search the third missing walker was located. He was assisted back up to the summit and also walked off the mountain.

Whilst searching for the collapsed walker a further group of four walkers were found sheltering in the Mickledore stretcher box. They were subsequently reported missing by the police but fortunately the team had already found them and escorted them off the mountain.

The team had significant difficulty getting the rescue vehicles back down the valley due to the severe congestion on the road from Three Peaker challenge vehicles parked up. 20 team members were involved and the incident was closed at 6.30 a.m.
_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm

richieev · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:36 am Post subject: Three Peaks Driver faces charges

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/news/tm_headline=3-peaks-bid-driver-on-sleep-crash-rap&method=full&objectid=19823319&siteid=66633-name_page.html

21 September 2007

3 Peaks Bid Driver On Sleep Crash Rap

A DAD of two attempting to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours caused an accident after falling asleep at the wheel.

Neil Campbell, 32, smashed into another car in the middle of the Three Peaks Challenge, a court heard.

The other driver, Janet Nicholson, suffered head injuries and has been left with short-term memory loss and concentration problems.

After climbing Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike, Campbell was in Cumbria on his way to attempt Snowdonia when he nodded off and his Honda Accord drifted into the oncoming lane.

Campbell, of Blairforge, Kelty, Fife, had been due to stand trial but pled guilty to dangerous driving on July 15 last year at Foxfield.

Robert Golinski, prosecuting, said Ms Nicholson had left her home in Kirkby-in-Furness when her car was struck by Campbell.

He said: "He came across the white line and collided with Ms Nicholson's car on a bend. "There was nothing that she could do. She has little recollection of the collision due to the head injuries that she suffered."

He said there could have been a change of drivers or a break.

Campbell, the dad of a two-year-old and a three-month-old baby, admitted after the crash: "It was so stupid, I was going to pull in a mile down the road."

He was also hurt and his passenger suffered a back injury. Mark Kellett, defending, said Campbell, who had recently been promoted to divisional manager, was a "responsible, caring individual other than this moment of stupidity".

Recorder Teresa Pepper told Campbell at Preston Crown Court: "I am keen to do justice to all and that includes you."

Sentence was put off until October 19 for background reports and Campbell was bailed.
_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm