A record-breaking surge in mountain rescues in England and Wales has raised concerns over the increasing popularity of social media and map apps among young adventurers, leaving many stranded and vulnerable to danger.
The number of mountain rescue callouts in England and Wales has reached a record high, with rescues jumping by 24% between 2019 and 2024. For the first time, teams were called out every day of the year in 2024.
Mountain rescue operations involve rescuing individuals stranded in mountainous terrain due to accidents, inclement weather, or other factors.
These teams typically consist of trained mountaineers, medical professionals, and search specialists who navigate challenging terrain to locate and extract the stranded person.
According to the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR) , there are approximately 100 reported mountain rescues per year in the European Alps alone, with a success rate of over 90%.
Mountain rescue teams often rely on helicopters, ropes, and other specialized equipment to reach remote areas.
The Rise of Honeypot Locations
Analysis reveals that the growth in popularity of ‘honeypot’ locations – beauty spots and photogenic places popular on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram – is a major contributor to the increase in rescues. Young people, aged 18-24, are taking to these locations, often without proper knowledge or preparation.
Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of people worldwide using platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The first social media platform, Bulletin Board Systems (BBS), was launched in the 1970s.
Today, social media is used for communication, information sharing, and online shopping.
According to a report by Hootsuite, there are over 4.2 billion active social media users, with an average of 2 hours spent per day on social media platforms.
The Impact of Poor-Quality Navigation Apps
Younger people are also relying less on paper maps and more on apps that lack detail or do not work offline. This can lead to a lack of understanding about the hazards and context of an area, making it easier for them to get into difficulties.
An Ageing Demographic in Need
While young people are responsible for the most callouts, older age groups are also being affected. The 40-44 age group was second only to the 18-24 year olds, with 196 callouts last year. Rescues of people aged 75-79 doubled, and those over 80 saw a significant increase as well.
Age demographics refer to the statistical distribution of a population by age.
It is an essential tool for understanding social, economic, and cultural trends.
The global population is aging due to increased life expectancy and declining birth rates.
According to the United Nations, the proportion of people aged 60+ will increase from 12% in 2015 to 22% in 2050.
In the US, the median age is 38.1 years old, with 16.3% of the population above 65.
Busy Locations and Callout Hotspots
The Lake District, Eryri (Snowdonia), and the Peak District were among the busiest locations for mountain rescue calls, followed by other national parks. South Wales, Northumberland, and Cornwall also had high callout rates.
A Call for Caution
Mountain rescue teams are urging people to be more cautious when venturing into remote areas. The fact that teams were called out every day of the year in 2024 was only part of the story, according to Mike Park, chief executive of Mountain Rescue England and Wales. ‘The busiest teams are often seeing multiple callouts running in parallel with all the demands that puts on unpaid volunteers, their employers, friends and families,’ he said.
Preparation is Key
To avoid getting stranded or lost, Ordnance Survey‘s managing director for leisure, Nick Giles, recommends using both the OS Maps app and a paper map. ‘Guarantee yourself a wonderful adventure without getting stranded or lost,’ he said.
