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Two hikers, who found themselves stranded while attempting to scale England’s tallest peak in severe winter conditions, allegedly skipped out on paying for their hotel stay following a seven-hour rescue mission. This claim comes from the nonprofit organization responsible for their safe return.
In a Facebook post last week, the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team expressed their frustration, stating, “While we refrain from passing judgment on those we rescue, it’s difficult to comprehend when the rescued exploit the generosity of our valley supporters.”
The nonprofit detailed that on December 29, after the men were successfully brought down from Scafell Pike—an incident they described as “avoidable”—the manager of the Wasdale Head Inn graciously offered to stay up late, providing the hikers with snacks and a room for the night.
Scafell Pike, known for its challenging terrain, rises to an elevation of 3,200 feet.
Despite being offered a 35% discount on their room rate, a cost they agreed to settle later due to not having money on hand, the hikers left without paying, according to the rescue team. Consequently, the organization felt obliged to cover the bill on their behalf.
Rescuers with the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team hike Scafell Pike Dec. 29. (Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team)
“Disappointingly, in the morning, they offered no thanks for the efforts of the hotel, asked for further reductions to the cost, pushed hard for a breakfast and asked if they could arrange transport to get them out of the valley,” the nonprofit alleged. “The answer was, sorry no extras and please transfer money when you can.”
The nonprofit also said the men haven’t returned two flashlights missing from the team after the rescue.
In addition, they said the phone number given to the hotel manager to contact the men didn’t work.
The nonprofit said the men still haven’t paid back the $178 bill, although the post generated so much goodwill that good Samaritans have given more money than owed to the inn, which the group said, “will go directly towards the team’s operational costs which are in excess of £100,000 annually.”
Scafell Pike in 2024. (Richard Baker/In Pictures via Getty Images)
The team said they tried contacting the men about the money and the flashlights and to return a crutch that one of the men left in one of the team’s vehicles but hadn’t heard back.
“This post will hopefully prompt the two young males to settle their debt,” the team wrote, adding that they left a QR on the post for ease of payment. “They might also reflect on the kindness they were offered that night by the staff at the Wasdale Head Inn and our own volunteer team following their eventful visit to Cumbria.”
The team concluded the post by explaining that their volunteers are unpaid, and “we never charge but equally donations are always appreciated. Especially to help contribute to our significant capital and operational costs, and even some of our more unusual but rare £130 losses.”
The manager of the Wasdale Head Inn agreed to put the men up for the night at a discounted rate but was never paid. (Google Maps)
In a comment below the post, the hotel thanked the team for “dealing with this incident in their usual professional manner, and to our staff who stayed up to look after the starving and frozen walkers when they were brought in around 2am.
“Luckily this is the first time in living memory (45 years or more) that those rescued have behaved like this, however the messages of support and donations for the team from so many people more than make up for this one selfish episode.”