Emelle
I love the Lakes and go as often as possible (when allowed) but on my legitimate visits last year, I was irritated by the behaviour of many of the visitors. It was obvious that many of them were not regular visitors to the Lakes and there as an alternative to their usual continental holiday. Put simply they just didn't know the etiquette of walking, awareness of other people or the way to be safe on the Fells. It wouldn't surprise me if inexperience has lead to this tragic story. I wish the member of Patterdale Mountain Rescue the best recovery possible.
I will never forget an incident a few years ago when my husband was walking in the Lakes. He knows the area well, was dressed appropriately, and had taken a map (which he can read) a compass, a phone (which he knew wouldn't necessarily get a signal) and the dog (who would have been pretty much useless in most situations, but was otherwise a delight). I was about 30 miles away in a caravan with the children, who were too young to go with him at the time.
He came upon a woman who was part of a walking group, but had missed the first 'leg' of their walk, and was completing it herself. Literally by herself. She was lost, disorientated, dehydrated and confused. Her walking shoes were new, and her feet were blistered. It was a hot day, and she had no water, and no suitable clothing, so she was burning.
Luckily, my husband found her, gave her his jacket and water, and was able to accompany her to her car. She was going to drive back to her accommodation, but he was unhappy for her to do so in the state she was in, so persuaded her to call someone and give them his car registration and description, then drove her there himself.
I dread to think what would have happened if he hadn't found her, which was entirely by chance, or if she had wandered even further from her car than she had done. She glugged all of the water, so both of them could have ended up dehydrated by the time he got her to a place of safety. Also, if he had been an axe murderer or something, she could have gone missing without trace. It is so foolish to wander about in remote areas alone, particularly if you don't know the area, aren't properly dressed and don't have the basics such as a phone and some water.
As it was, I was ready to call the rescue service, and if it hadn't been that he had taken our only mobile (this was in the 1990s) and it was a hike to a phone box and I had small children to look after, I would have done so by the time he got home. He had, of course, been unable to get in touch with me, and I was really worried. I hope the woman realised how silly she had been.
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