Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA)

01/11/2026

Today, 11 of our volunteers took part in a 3-hour Water Core Skills training session, building confidence and competence in working safely around water.

With local water levels too low for practical river work, the session was delivered at the team hut.

The session covered hazard awareness, personal safety, throw-line techniques, teamwork, communication and operational decision-making, ensuring our team remains prepared for the varied environments we may encounter during search and rescue incidents.

A huge thank you to everyone who gave up their time to attend.

Maintaining these skills through regular training is a key part of keeping both our volunteers and those we assist safe.

28/10/2026

The team was called to assist YAS in accessing a patient suffering a medical event at the top end of Littondale.

With the road closure at Litton meaning a long diversion CRO were contacted to see if they could assist.

We are extremely grateful to CRO for their help as always 🙏

25/10/2026

Today we're celebrating the incredible volunteers who answer the call when others need help most.

At UWFRA, our team members willingly leave behind family time, work and warm beds to help people and animals in difficulty, often in challenging conditions and at unsociable hours.

We couldn't be prouder of their commitment, or more grateful for the support of their families and our local communities.

If you're heading outdoors today, enjoy everything our beautiful countryside has to offer, but please take a moment to check the forecast, consider the conditions, plan ahead and carry the right kit.

A little preparation can make all the difference.
To all our volunteers, supporters and fellow rescue teams: thank you for everything you do.

19/10/2026

For once, Sunday's practice was blessed with good weather, despite the cold wind ! The object of the exercise was to rescue an "injured climber" from a tricky situation high on Blue Scar in Littondale.

A high belay was established at the top of the crag using a Larkin Frame to protect the dry stone wall from damage. Team members then abseiled down to the exposed middle ledge with the Titan stretcher. The "casualty" was then carefully lowed down to the ground.

The main focus of the practice was operating safely on steep ground using safety lines and a double rope system. An exercise like this requires good communications and teamwork.

We would like to thank the land owners for access and permission to use the crag.

16/10/2026

Call out #48 - Friday 16th Oct 2026, Ilkley Moor

The team was called out by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service to assist a lady who had been tripped by a dog. She had unfortunatley sustained an ankle injury and was unable to stand.

The lady was treated for an unstable closed ankle fracture. Pain relief was provided and the ankle was splinted, before being stretchered to the road ambulance and transported to Airdale hospital.

We would like to wish her a speedy recovery !

21/09/2026

🚨 COULD YOU BE OUR NEXT TEAM MEMBER? 🚨

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association is looking for new volunteers! ⛰️

Ever wondered what it would be like to be part of a team that helps people when they need it most?

You don’t need to be an experienced rescuer. What you do need is commitment, teamwork, a willingness to learn and a desire to help others. 🤝

Our volunteers train together, support each other and respond to incidents across Yorkshire, primarily the Dales — often in challenging conditions and at all hours.

It’s demanding. It’s rewarding. It’s a chance to learn new skills, make lifelong friends and become part of something that genuinely matters. ❤️

🥾 THINK YOU COULD BE PART OF THE TEAM?

👉 APPLY TO JOIN US HERE:

🔗 https://uwfra.org.uk/join/

Click the link above to find out more and complete the application form.

You could be the person someone needs on their worst day.

Please SHARE this post and help us reach someone who could make a real difference. 🙌

When people think of mountain rescue, they often picture dramatic rescues on the fells. While callouts are an important part of what we do, they are only a small part of being a member of the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association.

06/09/2026

Call out 41
5th September 26
Angram Reservoir

10 team members
3 hours and 25 minutes

At 10:30am the team was called to assist a lone walker who had slipped and fallen on steep banking at the west end of Angram Reservoir.

Ten team members were assigned, with one off-site controller and nine travelling in two team vehicles towards the casualty location.

The team rendezvoused with two YAS crew members at the head of the reservoir.

All three vehicles crossed the reservoir and were able to get within one mile of the casualty before continuing on foot across rough, mixed, and uneven terrain, carrying the stretcher and medical equipment.

The team and YAS crew reached the casualty at 11:45.

Our Remote Rescue Medical Technicians worked alongside YAS to assess and treat the casualty, who was conscious but in pain.

Pain relief and a leg splint were provided before the casualty was placed onto the stretcher.

The narrowness of the foot bridge meant the evacuation involved crossing a stream and ascending a steep bank, where the stretcher wheel was attached to assist with the mile‑long transport back to the waiting ambulance.

Once at the roadside, the YAS crew completed packaging and transferred the casualty to the hospital.

We would like to thank YAS for their excellent teamwork and wish the casualty a speedy recovery.

29/08/2026

Call out 40
29th August 26
Pinhaw

The team was called out on request of the Yorkshire ambulance service to come to the aid of an injured mountain biker.

Initially the call came through to a location near Glusburn but after utilising our phone find tool we ascertained the location to be on Pinhaw.

Luckily a member of one of our neighbouring teams, Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team was near the biker and was able to confirm to both the ambulance service and UWFRA that the casualty had a lot of rib & pelvic pain and had an elevated breathing rate.

Once on scene the team assisted the ambulance crew and lifted the casualty on to our wheeled stretcher for onward mobilisation to the waiting Road ambulance.

We wish the mountain biker a speedy recovery.

And thank you to the Mountain rescue team member in your invaluable assistance.

28/08/2026

🏔️🧡💙 International Mountain Rescue Day 💙🧡🏔️

Today is a chance to celebrate mountain rescue, the people, the teamwork, the friendships, and the slightly questionable decision-making that sees us heading out into the hills when most sensible folk are heading home. 😂

Here at Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, we’re incredibly proud of our team and the communities we’re lucky enough to serve. From the fells and caves to the odd sheep that’s managed to get itself into a bit of bother, we’ll keep turning up when we’re needed.

But we couldn’t do it without you.

Every donation, fundraiser, cuppa, raffle ticket and kind word helps keep us trained, equipped and ready to go. Your generosity is what allows us to keep doing the thing we love, helping people when they need us most. And for that, we’re genuinely humbled. ❤️

A massive thank you too to our neighbouring mountain and cave rescue teams. We might have our own patches, vehicles and radios, but when the chips are down, we’re one family. We train together, support each other and, occasionally, argue over who’s got the best biscuits. 😉

“Rescue isn’t about one person being the hero. It’s about a team coming together, and a community standing behind them.”

So today, from all of us at UWFRA, thank you.
To our team. To our neighbouring teams. And most importantly, to every single person who supports us.

We couldn’t do it without you. 🧡💙

27/08/2026

💙 WHEN THE CALL COMES UWFRA WILL ANSWER ⛰️🧡

There’s been some discussion recently about charging for rescue.

At UWFRA, we believe rescue should be free at the point of need.

Because when t’weather turns,
When t’fell gets steep,
When t’water rises,
Or t’cave runs deep…

You shouldn’t be counting the cost.
You should be calling for help.

No judgement. No invoice.
Just a team on its way.

We come through rain, wind and snow,
Across t’fell and down below.
Through river, rock and darkest cave,
We’ll do our best to get you safe.

And aye, we might grumble at t’weather…
but we’ll still come. 😉

We stand in solidarity with our neighbouring rescue teams on this issue.

UWFRA is here because of our community, supported by our community, and when others can’t get there:

We will. 💙

⛰️🌊 Surface. Cave. Water. Ready when called.