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Teens Rescue Hikers in Jeans from Icy Mountain
28 Jan
Summary
- Teen ice climbers rescued unprepared hikers on January 10.
- Hikers wore jeans and trainers, lacking essential winter gear.
- Rescue teams were busy with other emergencies on Helvellyn.
On January 10, teenage ice climbers Caelan Blades, 16, and Rowan Kay, 15, conducted an extraordinary rescue on Helvellyn, England's third-highest mountain. While descending, they discovered a group of five adult hikers who were severely underprepared for the treacherous, icy conditions.
The unprepared hikers, some in jeans and trainers and one even carrying a dog, struggled on the dangerous Striding Edge. The teens, equipped with ice axes and crampons, stepped in to guide the group to safety. This happened as air and coastguard helicopters were already engaged in other rescues on a different part of the mountain.
Caelan, filming the event, expressed shock at the hikers' lack of appropriate gear and understanding of the perilous environment. The Patterdale mountain rescue team later commended the teenagers for their initiative, which allowed rescue services to focus on more critical situations.
Following this rescue, the teens encountered three more groups of ill-equipped hikers on Striding Edge, underscoring the persistent risks faced by those who venture into the mountains without proper preparation and equipment.
