Three school leavers had to take shelter in a stretcher box after getting caught out by the weather while attempting to climb England’s highest mountain.
Strengthening winds and persistent heavy rain forced the ill-equipped trio to retreat on their assault of Scafell Pike and they were forced to take refuge in the box and wait for help to arrive.
They got into real difficulties after they had passed Sty Head Tarn and continued along the Corridor Route in deteriorating conditions. One strong gust of wind blew off one young man’s poncho.
With conditions continuing to worsen, they called 999 and requested mountain rescue assistance.
They sent an accurate location from the box using What3Words and Keswick mountain rescue team was mobilised.
Two well-equipped walkers found them at the stretcher box and gave them some spare clothing.
They also gave them encouragement to keep walking down the mountain in order to try to generate some warmth.
One team member, who lives in Seathwaite, met them some way above the 1,000ft boulder on the path to Sty Head.
He was in the process of giving them extra clothing, food and drink when the main rescue party arrived with further supplies.
The three were walked back down to the valley and given a long lecture about mountain preparedness, weather and safety.
The lads were said to be “humble, apologetic, receptive.”
They were attempting to complete the Three Peaks Challenge and had climbed to the top of Snowdon a couple of days earlier.
Mountain rescuers were assured by the three that they would be more prepared to take on Ben Nevis.
