Overdue Climbers

The team was back in action this morning at the request of Dorset Police who had concerns for the welfare of two climbers not seen or heard from since Monday.

The climbers' car was located at Durlston Country Park and so a search area was drawn up between the Eastern and Western mile markers.  Some personal equipment was soon located in the Boulder Ruckle area and so whilst some team members made for that spot, others took positions further along the cliffs where they were able to get 'eyes on' the climbs in that area.

Before long the climbers were sighted slowly making their up the Marmolata Buttress climb and were met by Coastguards at the top.

The team could see the climbers making their way back up Marmolata Buttress, the large outcrop in the centre of the picture. The photo was taken from the very spot we'd trained at on Sunday in an exercise to recover stuck or injured climbers!

Although cold, the pair were fine despite having spent the night in the elements and they were soon on their way back to their car.

It seems that the climbing routes were busy yesterday so they had abseiled in using someone else's rope which was already in place.  By the time the pair were ready to go home, the other abseil rope had been removed from above and the climbers found themselves tired, cold and stuck at the bottom of the cliff.  Rather than try to risk climbing out last night the experienced pair set off this morning using gear to set up a safety line as they progressed in the absence of a rope from above.

Once the team was happy that the climbers were safe and well, we stood down and returned to station.

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