The Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team provides a search and rescue service for a large area, which includes the Howgill Fells, the North Western Yorkshire Dales, part of the North Pennines and the Orton Fells. Team members turn out in all weather conditions and will stay out for as long as help is required.
The team originally evolved in the 1960s from a group of walkers, the Bogtrotters, to provide search and rescue facilities for the area around the Upper Eden and Lune Valleys of East Cumbria. In the beginning the equipment consisted of a rucksack containing a bottle of whisky and bandages! Times have changed.
Nowadays, the team consists of some 35 members and operates from a purpose-built base in the town of Kirkby Stephen. The team is a registered charity, solely funded by voluntary contributions and its members are all unpaid volunteers, on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Kirkby Stephen MRT is one of the 11 member teams of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association.
Team members are all keen hill walkers, with many also having an active interest in rock climbing and other outdoor pursuits. Regular training is undertaken to build and maintain necessary rescue skills. More details may be found on our training page. If this sounds interesting to you and you think you might like to join us, you will find more information by clicking on the how to join us link.
Alternatively, if you wish to help by making a contribution to the team then details of how you can do so may be found by clicking on the donations link. Please navigate around our site. We hope you find it interesting. If you have any questions or comments please do contact us.
Forthcoming Events
As a registered charity Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team relies for its funding on voluntary efforts and fund raising events. We value support from the local community and from further afield and offer a warm welcome to those attending our events.
New President and Vice president for Kirkby Stephen MRTThe team are very proud to welcome John Dunning as their new President and also David Galloway as their new Vice President. The team extend their heartfelt thanks to Frank Jackson who stood down as President this year. Frank has been involved in Mountain Rescue since 1952 |
