As the schools break up, summer (hopefully) kicks in and visitors head to the Black Mountains, the team are eager to see what that means in terms of call outs. After a relatively steady start to the year, which has seen a mix of call outs, training and the onboarding of new recruits, activity has picked up significantly over the past 7 weeks.
To provide some context to that, from January 1st to July 19th 2024, the team has already responded to 33 incidents, a number that is quickly approaching the total of 42 call-outs for the entirety of 2023. The summer months, particularly June and July, have witnessed a significant surge in activity, with a 129% increase in call-outs compared to the same period last year.
Behind these figures lies a diverse range of incidents that highlight the team’s versatility and dedication. LMRT has come to the aid of injured walkers, assisted horse riders and mountain bikers facing unexpected difficulties. A recent spate of missing person searches in July underscores the critical role the team plays in assisting local emergency services away from typical mountainside rescues.
In addition to this, the usual thrice monthly training sessions have kept the team busy in between. July started off with an evening session at Symonds Yat that offered practical water awareness training for the bulk of the
team plus an opportunity for our qualified Swift Water Rescue Technicians to hone their skills.
We had a medical focussed session that took place around the Black Darren, on the eastern side of the Hatterall Ridge, that looked at head injuries and how best to treat three climbers with three different injuries.
The final session of the month saw 30+ team members head to Llanthony Priory for a mountaincraft and navigation exercise that tested our efficient and safe movement over what is our typical terrain, as well as testing individual endurance and speed over several hours.
Beyond training and operational duties, LMRT actively engages with the community and last month saw the team taking part in the annual 999 Emergency Services Day held at Caldicot Castle. This fantastic, engaging event gives members of the public an opportunity to meet with their local emergency services teams, learn about their work and gain a deeper understanding of the associated challenges and risks.
Longtown Mountain Rescue
