Increase in Mountain Rescue Callouts!

I’ve just spent a week assisting in leading a walking holiday of high-level ridge walks in the Lake District. It was a brilliant week — great people, challenging walks, and stunning views. But it also gave me pause for thought.

During the week, The Guardian published an article reporting a record high in Mountain Rescue callouts across Britain — now averaging one every day. You can read the full article here.

The causes are worth paying attention to. Mountain Rescue teams are seeing a significant rise in callouts among 18–24-year-olds, now the most frequently rescued group. Many incidents are linked to over-reliance on smartphone apps for navigation and the influence of social media, which draws people toward “honeypot” locations — often without adequate preparation.

I saw some of this firsthand during the week: heavy crowds on Scafell Pike, trails of orange peel left along the paths, and the occasional portable speaker disturbing what should be quiet, shared space. Nothing dramatic — but enough to underline the point.

It’s genuinely encouraging to see more people, especially younger walkers and families, accessing the hills. But as more people head into the mountains, there’s an urgent need for better awareness and education around mountain safety and etiquette. From packing out orange and banana peel, to respecting others by keeping music to yourself, to dressing appropriately, understanding the weather, planning routes, and knowing what to do if things go wrong — these are the foundations of responsible hillwalking.

Through Adventure into Wellness, I offer guided hikes and mountain awareness and confidence training to help people build the skills and understanding needed to enjoy the mountains safely, respectfully, and with confidence.

The hills are there for all of us — let’s make sure we’re ready for them.