YHA Christmas Pt 2

Overnight search

             Cow and Calf rocks and the entrance to Rocky Valley: Ilkley Moor 

Saturday 23 December There was no rush to rise and have breakfast, but most were fed and watered by eight thirty

"We are going into Ilkley shopping said some one "How are you getting there? "We will have to walk" "How far is it"

"About four or five miles may be more". "We will go up to the Cow and Calf to see the view first then make our way down" "Take a rucker to carry your stuff back" The comments kept coming

The acting warden for the day came in "I hope you folks remember we have to keep the place clean and tidy" shouts of disfavour "We dont want the full timers to think we are a lot of scruffs - just think on that keep your dorms clean, dont bother making you bed just pull it tidy - Cheers.

People left on small groups to the village of Burley Woodhead or Ilkley. Going to Burley there was only one choice to walk by the road: To Ilkley the choice was road all the way, or a longer one going up onto the moors via the Cow and Calf rocks, we chose the later.

We toured round the shops for food and the odd presents for friends. A stop for coffee then; returning to the hostel via the road, following a self cooked meal One of the lads retuned from his shopping trip "Has John arrived yet" (his 16 year old younger brother) "He was due to be here before dark its now six o'clock; he works in a shop on Saturday mornings and was due to set out about mid day"

All the regular workers were called for; consensus was to give him another hour, then call the police to inform them of a missing

 person on the moor. Police came when called, there were no accidents reported ay any of the hospitals of a sixteen year old anywhere. Now it was nine o'clock 'we need to go out searching - the police couldn't help, they didn't know the moors like the walkers did and would be putting themselves in danger.

Volunteers were called for to make up search groups. Thirty six volunteers including two girls were mad up into six groups, each with a search area; now ten o'clock; we would go out on circular routes for one hour then rondevue at two points before making the return search. The rest of the girls (who either didn't have the equipment or experience for night exercises) remained to make drinks and soup for the searchers on their return

Each person was equipped with a torch and whistle ( dont use the whistle except in an emergency use the standard timing {six short blasts with one minute intervals. If you hear it three blasts repeated at one minute intervals and make your way there } for an emergency, If you find John one long blast of one minute long to be repeated every minute to guide neighbouring groups to you. One person in each team has a flask of warm sweet tea.

We left on the route taken earlier in the day ( a mixture of walkers, climbers and cyclists) shouting - calling John any noise to attract attention, One hour later we met up with no sightings. So continued the search on the return journey arriving at the hostel just after midnight.

Drinking the warm soup discussing the next step We will al go to bed now. The cooks, now joined by other hostellers who wanted to join in and help would be up at six o'clock to make breakfast for the searchers

 

Six o'clock we could hear the cooks already in the kitchen. The full time wardens were there> after being informed in the evening they thought that the search plans were excellent, but now with the lad still missing they were compelled to join in Bacon and eggs were brought from their larder stock, sausages for those who wished

Seven o'clock we reassembled in our groups, set out up the hostel drive.

A figure came towards us John. He was wet and cold. We escorted him back.

"Go and run a warm bath - NOT TOO WARM," two girls (both nurses) went to see to the bath warm blankets - "Off with those wet clothes milad and get these blanket round you, here's a warm bottle wrapped in a towel  hold that while we take you for a warm bath"

 

Sitting in warm dry clothes John related how in the dark he had walked into a sheep fold. His ranger scout training kicked in put on his warm jumper and waterproof clothes found a spot out of the wind and sat the night out waiting for daylight - He had been there for about twelve hours

 

Eight o'clock a police sergeant dropped in "Good morning, I'm calling to see if you have any news of the missing person" He was introduced to John who related his ordeal, the girls explained how he had been looked after

"You have been a lucky lad, you have been well trained by the scouts for outdoor pursuits and I must commend you ladies for your excellent work I dont think any of our local volunteer services could have matched  how well you organised everything from scratched, they spend weeks planning to replicate an exercise like this. Our chaps have little experience in night searches, there are only a handfull who would dare venture up there at night. Is there any thing we can do for you, have his parents been informed that he has been missing?

"Well no we thought it better to do the searching - it would have been distressing to be woken in the night with the news he was missing, Just one thing. John was supposed to return home today, we think it would be advisable for him to stay here and get fully recovered"

Sergeant replied "Let us make contact with them and explain, they could be talked into letting him stay longer" with that he left, to return two hours later to say John had been given an extension to his stay, he could return with his brother the day following Boxing Day.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Great ending to a great story. I am highly impressed by your ability to remember details. I'm usually harping on the new writers to use more detail, not just generalities. But next to you, I'm the one who's lacking in details. Where my memory doesn't serve, I embellish, but you still outdo me many times over with how much detail you pack into your stories. It's crystal clear like watching a film. I love the uplifting congratulatory way your conversation goes towards the end. Nice touch! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Wild Rose]

Wow Margie thank you for such praise from you
What was it sixty two years since
An out of the ordinary occurans, Both being away for Christmas and having to search the moors on a cold dark night for a lost friend

After the excitement the Christmas & New Year celebrations left little to write about > I wil have a think

[Einstein Noodle]

i really enjoy reading all about your experiences ... you have such a wonderland of life behind you ... who can imagine what you might try next ;) i am also happy for the positive outcome ..it could easily have been far more gruesome ...
E.

[Wild Rose]

True it could have been a lot worse John had the training of the scout group and practical on the ground going out regularly with the YHA local group. Like any sports group they were out every weekend around the dales YHA's
The local Mountain Rescue Team had been suggested but we had more experienced people available to be on the moor before the MRT could be mustered
No mobile phones or pagers in those days. Helicopters were just in the early days - unlike now with Infra red image locators & searchlights

We dont go on the high ells now - she goes dizzy on the way down

[Einstein Noodle]

:) what a life my friend!

[Wild Rose]

It is what we made it > Boy from the industrial streets

[wordman]

you tell a great story,loved the image

[Wild Rose]

Thank you > It is true > The image is a rocky outcrop on the top of Ilkley Moor a favourite spot for climbers
And in summer day trip picnickers

In those days there were no mobile phones > Helicopters with searchlights - no duvet jackets for warmth

[wordman]

just back to nature