Lake District mountain rescue team leaders have asked hill walkers not to rely on smartphone apps as navigation aids and take a real compass & map.
Mountain rescue teams around the country and especially in the Lake District have seen a significant increase in the number of callouts were people were lost and only had a smartphone app or similar, instead of less technical equipment.
Cases include:
- People trying to use Google Maps alone to find their way off a peak which failed as the map doesn’t include walking routes on the fells.
- A similar incident when a party of 4 were lost on Striding Edge after their phone’s built in map app didn’t provide any information about routes.
- A couple who resorted to using a camera flash to alert rescuers that they were stuck as they had no torch or proper map, and were stranded after dark.
Rescue teams still recommend carrying a phone in case of emergencies, but ask that people also carry maps and other aids just incase they are stuck of need to summon assistance.
Luckily the majority of walkers seem to adhere to the safety guidelines and stick within the limits of what their equipment allows which is why millions of people a year can enjoy the Lake District and other popular outdoor areas without incident.
More Lake District Links:
Visitor attractions in the Lake District
Cumbria & Lake District Hotels
Self-catering accommodation in the Lake District
One Comment
Of course, if Google were allowed to put the PROWs on their maps and not inhibited by government red tape and pointless copyright, I’m sure they would.
Why don’t the mountain rescue teams lobby the government to permit Google to put the PROW data on their maps? Would it risk the sales of OS maps, because that is the main thing that people want? Would the OS rather that people died?