Danish students rescued on first day of three-month walking tour
TWO Danish students who were rescued in the Scottish Borders on the first day of a three-month walking tour have said they did not expect it to be so cold.
Cousins Sissel and Marie Bertelsen were stranded far from shelter without an adequate tent just hours after they embarked on a walk along the Pennine Way.
The pair set off from Kirk Yetholm in the Borders on Thursday but ran into difficulties after darkness fell. Borders Search and Rescue Unit (BSARU) was called out and the pair were traced “cold and a bit scared”, but unharmed.
Ms Sissel said: “There was a lot more snow than we expected and it was cold and wet. There was snow up to our knees almost. We didn’t expect it to be as cold.
“It didn’t look very good for us to stay up there overnight.”
The students had just arrived in Edinburgh on Wednesday and were planning to spend three months walking the UK and Ireland.
However, they ended up struggling through considerable amounts of lying snow and then missed a refuge hut at Auchope Ridge before calling for assistance.
BSARU team leader Stuart Fuller-Shapcott said: “They made a 112 call for help and asked for fire rescue. This was then routed to the police by the fire service, who called out BSARU.
“No hint of a location was available, even after phone conversations.
“The young women had just started the climb towards their exposed destination, which lies on the Pennine Way at 619m (2,000ft) and became aware that they were getting increasingly tired and cold, and were far outside their comfort zone.”
As luck would have it 20 team members were available after being diverted en route to their monthly business meeting.
The team made its way to Cocklawfoot Farm in the remote Bowmont Valley, and from there onto the hill.
Mr Fuller-Shapcott said: “Conditions at valley level were extraordinarily muddy and slippery after recent rain and snow-melt, which made vehicular access to the hill difficult. The casualties were found cold and a bit scared but otherwise unharmed.
“We warmed them and walked them to the Border Gate, where the farmer collected them and ferried them down into the valley.
“The girls on this occasion were just a bit inexperienced and underequipped in terms of kit and hillcraft to be tackling the Cheviots in winter conditions.
“No doubt, after a few days’ reflection, they’ll carry on with their holiday a little wiser for the experience. We wish them happy travels.”