Tourists stuck on peak in Storm Brian

A COACHLOAD of Chinese tourists had to be saved by Mountain Rescue from England’s highest peak after attempting a climb during Storm Brian.

The ill-equipped holidaymakers had travelled on a whim to the 978m-high Scafell Pike, in the Lake District, Cumbria, on Saturday, when Britain was battered by strong winds and rain.

They quickly got lost but were found wandering the misty Esk Hause mountain pass by a group of experienced climbers.

Yesterday, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) – who dispatched 17 volunteers to help – bemoaned that, yet again, poorly prepared hikers had attempted the dangerous trek. They said despite not having correct clothing or supplies the Chinese tourists had simply decided to climb the tallest mountain in England.

The Keswick MRT spokesman said: “They were cold and under-equipped for the conditions. Also they had become separated from one of their party. Fortunately, the missing member was located by the other team’s guide as he brought the others down.

“So we simply had to meet up with the descending group and support the visitors down to Seathwaite. Here they were offered a lift to Langdale where their transport had been parked.”

Explaining how lucky the foreign tourists were to have bumped into the guide and his group of experienced climbers, the spokesman added: “They had been fortunate to encounter a wellled group. That group did exactly what you would want them to do in the event of a mountain incident.”

Esk Hause is a mountain pass that leads to the famous summits of Scafell Pike – Great End, Esk Pike and Allen Crags. It is a notoriously confusing place for walkers, as it is often shrouded in mist and has two paths that cross at right angles on a tilted grass plateau.