A mountain rescue team in the Lake District has issued a public appeal for two rescued walkers to settle an outstanding hotel bill and return borrowed equipment, following a treacherous winter operation on England's highest peak.
Treacherous Conditions and Avoidable Incident
The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team revealed details of a seven-hour overnight operation that took place on the 29th and 30th of December, marking their final rescue mission of 2025. The incident involved two young male walkers on Scafell Pike, which the team described as "totally avoidable" given the "treacherous winter conditions underfoot".
The volunteers successfully located the hikers high on the mountain and transported them, "wet and hungry", to the valley floor in the early hours. However, the aftermath of the rescue has led to an unusual request from the rescue team.
Unpaid Hospitality and Missing Equipment
Following the rescue, the bar manager of the Wasdale Head Inn offered to stay up late to provide the men with snacks and arranged accommodation at a 35% discount. More than three weeks later, the rescue team reports that the £130 room bill remains unpaid and no thanks have been offered to the accommodating manager.
"We avoid judging those we rescue," stated the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team. "But we struggle to understand when the rescued take advantage of hospitality provided by our supporters in the valley."
The team is also missing two head torches lent to the walkers for their safe descent from the mountain, and wishes to return a hospital crutch left in their vehicle that one of the hikers had used during the ascent despite a previous leg injury.
Further Requests and Community Response
According to rescuers, the pair initially agreed to pay the hotel bill but claimed their money was in their tent near Green Gable. The following morning, they reportedly asked for a further discount, "pushed hard for a breakfast", and requested transport out of the valley.
The mountain rescue team felt obliged to cover the hotel bill themselves, despite the Wasdale Head Inn's willingness to absorb the loss. Their subsequent Facebook post detailing the situation prompted an overwhelming community response.
Generous Donations Exceed Expectations
In an update, the rescue team reported that donations from the public had exceeded the amount needed to settle the outstanding bill. "We are bowled over by the generosity of your support," they stated. "Any additional funding raised will go directly towards the team's operational costs which are in excess of £100,000 annually."
The incident highlights both the challenges faced by volunteer rescue services and the remarkable community support they receive, even as they deal with the occasional unusual aftermath of their life-saving work.
