Incident report

Buxton Mountain Rescue Team called out in probably the worst conditions of the winter so far.  A group of five adults had been on Kinder Scout since lunch time when one of the party started to suffer cramp.  Their intended route off the moor was to descend Crowden Brook but icing made it look too risky and they headed back towards Grindsbrook instead.  As they approached the head of Grindsbrook the pain from the cramp got worst and the man was unable to continue.

With less than an hour of daylight left a call for rescue assistance was made.  A grid reference was given placing them on the old Pennine Way route, north of Grindslow Knoll.  Twenty members of the rescue team responded but road conditions were such that three were forced to turn back.  The journey along Rushup Edge was hampered by vehicles abandoned in the snow, each of which had to checked for potential casualties.

Arriving in Edale, rescue parties quickly ascended Grindlsow Knoll on to the moor where the wind was a constant 30 mph reducing the temperature to  -10 C .   Mobile phone contact had been lost with the party and it was assumed they had dropped down below the edge for shelter.  At the same time, three of the party arrived safely in Edale to report leaving the remaining two in the care of a group camping in Grindsbrook.  The lead rescue party soon discovered the tent and was able to make an assessment of the casualty.

After having been warmed up in the tent for an hour with hot drinks the casualty was able to slowly walk with the rescuers back to Edale shadowed by a team stretcher party.

This group was extremely fortunate to locate the wild campers and wish to pass on their sincere thanks to their anonymous helpers.

Photo Credit:  BMRT  –  Rushup Edge blocked with snow and abandoned vehicles.    Better conditions descending into the valley.    Job done, debriefing and paperwork.