One of the guys who was rescued has posted a few comments on the Wasdale MRT Facebook page, saying:
Hi Guys, I just want to thank you from us all for giving us telephone guidance this morning. We will be making a donation to you as we value and appreciate you help and what you do. However your statement is factually wrong. All walkers were fully equipped and had GPS and silva compass, plus digital too and paper map but the conditions deteriorated at a rapid rate, rendering the GPS inoperable and using the map impossible. We as a team regularly walk mountains and the previous day completed Ben Nevis. We would never intentionally put ourselves at risk and everything was fully planned all equipment provided, we also would never want to waste you valuable time either, in 30 years of walking and mountain climbing I have never needed to call upon you but very grateful that you provide such an excellent service, as you know the most experienced of walkers come to difficulty at one time or another.
According to the other comments made, it was part of a 3 Peaks challenge event with an organisation called Warrior Training Strength and Conditioning. They had apparently already done Ben Nevis in what they called 'brutal' conditions, and despite the awful weather they decided to push on and do Scafell Pike.
The organiser also said:
I also went up 4 weeks ago during the day hours and mapped the route so I could use the route this weekend. I have done this many times and have had no issues with os mapping previously?? On this occasion[/color] . It wasn’t following the route and the severe rain, sleet, very high winds made using a paper(waterproof) map extremely difficult and hard cover none existent. Nobody was in danger but some extremely tired, so for the safety of all concerned the call was made after all options were exhausted. I am not one for waisting the rescue teams valuable time as I too rescue people as a Firefighter. Learning points are take a back up GPS or one or more of the group bring theirs.
Lots more comments on the Wasdale MRT's Facebook page.