Mountain Rescue Needed?

If you've visited other national parks in the UK, you might find that the North Yorkshire Moors are odd.

They're not the jagged mountain peaks like those of the Lake District or Snowdonia.

Rather, they are expansive and high rolling plateaus'; and for most people visiting on a nice spring or summer day, the Moors won't strike you as a risky or dangerous place.

So you might wonder about the need for a local Mountain Rescue Team?

But when you take into account the three key ingredients that make the North York Moors unique - expansive rolling terrain, geology, and weather - you'll come to understand why every year so many visitors - walkers, cyclists, horse-riders and others - have a need to call out for help.

On average, about 30-40 rescues are required every year.

Most problems occur for one of four reasons.

Fristly, people become exhausted through heat-stress in summer or cold stress in winter.

Secondly, people become lost or disorientated due to rapid changes in weather - often then combined with exposure to cold stress in damp or icy conditions.

Thick fog or white-out snow conditions can be fatal.

Thirdly, people are injured due to slips, trips or falls on sloping terrain or boggy ground.

Finally, people become unwell due to pre-existing health problems combined with unaccustomed exhertion when out walking or cycling.

Visitors should be aware that there is always a small risk when going out walking or cycling on the North York Moors.

The risk increases during the winter, when routes abecome wet and muddy and weather condtions can change very rapidly.

So if you need to call for Mountain Rescue, diall 999 or 101 (non-emergency number) first.

The local Mountain Rescue team will be informed by the Police if a search and rescue operation is needed.

The North East Search and Rescue Association (NESRA) covers the North East of England including the North York Moors.

The Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain and Rescue Team (SRMRT) is our local organization providing volunteer-based services on the North York Moors. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Telephone: 01723 859188.

NESRA and SEMRT rely on donations to support their work so if you want to assist, please give generously.