What started as a routine winter climb quickly turned into a life-saving moment high up on one of England’s most unforgiving peaks.
On a freezing January day, two teenage ice climbers found themselves stepping into the role of rescuers after stumbling across a group of adult hikers who were wildly unprepared for the icy conditions on Helvellyn in the Lake District.
Two Teens, One Icy Descent
Sixteen-year-old Caelan Blades and 15-year-old Rowan Kay had just begun their descent from Helvellyn’s summit on January 10.
The mountain, which rises to 3,117 feet and ranks as England’s third highest, was locked in snow and ice.
The pair were heading toward Striding Edge, a notoriously narrow and exposed ridge known for its sheer drops and treacherous footing, even on clear summer days.
As they made their way down, they noticed emergency helicopters already busy rescuing climbers on nearby Swirral Edge.
With professional rescue teams tied up elsewhere, the teens pressed on—only to encounter something that left them stunned.
Shock at What They Saw on the Ridge
Ahead of them was a group of five adult hikers, most in their late 20s, attempting to navigate the icy mountain wearing jeans and trainers.
To make matters worse, they had brought a dog along.
None of them had ice axes, crampons, or proper winter clothing, despite the frozen terrain beneath their feet.
Caelan later admitted he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
The further down they came, the more unprepared hikers they noticed—but this group stood out immediately.
The teens stopped to check whether the adults knew where they were or needed help, but quickly realised there was a language barrier.
One woman in the group was repeatedly slipping on the ice, clearly struggling to stay upright.
Stepping In When Help Was Already Stretched Thin
With air ambulances and coastguard helicopters occupied elsewhere—and news later emerging that a man in his seventies had collapsed and died on the mountain—the teenagers made a call few would expect from climbers their age.
They decided to escort the group to safety themselves.
Both boys were properly equipped, carrying ice axes and wearing crampons, and they immediately took control of the situation.
Footage filmed by Caelan, who often documents his climbs for TikTok, shows the dramatic rescue unfolding against a stark white backdrop, with helicopters visible in the distance responding to other emergencies.
Guiding Each Step to Safety
One of the teens carefully led the hikers one at a time through the snow, carving out a safer route away from the perilous Striding Edge.
At one point, frustration crept into the moment as a warning rang out about the importance of wearing proper gear.
Still, the priority was clear—getting everyone down alive.
The hikers moved slowly and cautiously, with one person even carrying the dog in their arms as they edged along the ridge.
Recognising the danger of continuing along Striding Edge, the boys redirected the group down the mountain face toward Red Tarn, using a zig-zag path to reduce the risk of slipping.
Holding the Line Until Everyone Was Down
Caelan positioned himself at the front of the group, ready to grab anyone who lost their footing.
Another climber nearby told the teens he had already spent around 20 minutes helping the woman carrying the dog, who had no gloves and was suffering a panic attack while struggling on the ridge.
Rowan later said it was clear the group should never have attempted that section of Helvellyn in winter conditions.
Thanks to the calm and steady approach of the two teenagers, the hikers were safely guided all the way down to Glenridding in roughly half an hour.
A Quiet Ending—and More Trouble Ahead
Once safely off the mountain, the group shook hands with their rescuers and went on their way, visibly grateful for the help they had received.
But the danger didn’t end there.
As Caelan and Rowan continued along Striding Edge, they encountered three more groups of poorly prepared hikers.
None had ice axes or crampons, and some admitted they didn’t even have torches.
The teens warned them against continuing, especially given how hazardous the ridge can be even without snow and ice.
Praise From Mountain Rescue—and a Bigger Lesson
The boys later explained that stepping in to help wasn’t about heroics—it was about freeing up rescue teams to deal with more serious emergencies.
The Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team agreed, publicly thanking the teenagers for their actions and even inviting them to visit their headquarters.
Their story serves as a stark reminder that winter mountains demand respect, preparation, and the right equipment—no matter how confident a walk might seem on paper.
What’s Next?
As more people head outdoors in search of adventure, this rescue highlights a growing concern among experienced climbers and rescue teams alike: too many hikers are underestimating the risks of winter conditions.
For Caelan and Rowan, it was just another day on the mountain—but one that could easily have ended very differently without quick thinking, proper gear, and a willingness to step up when it mattered most.
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