Jake’s Rescue Story
26th February, 2026
Jake Evans kindly agreed to let us share his recent rescue, from Ben Klibreck by Assynt Mountain Rescue Team.
Jake had been walking the Watershed of Scotland – a testing 1200km trek from the Scottish borders to Duncansby Head on the North coast. The walk was a sponsored challenge, and Jake had been making good progress in challenging weather conditions so far – only having a few days left to walk to complete his 6 week trek. In the process, he has raised a huge amount for the charities MIND and Scotland the Big Picture via his fundraising page. On the evening of Friday 20th February, Jake set off up his last Munro of the journey. Below is the story in Jake’s own words…
Jake writes:
“Yesterday evening, on the VERY LAST MUNRO of my journey, the Scottish Winter finally got me…
As I made my final steps up to the summit of Ben Klibreck the wind suddenly increased to a ferocity I have NEVER experienced in my life. It knocked me over twice and I had to crawl the final few metres to the summit. Once I got there, I bum shuffled to the slightly more protected eastern slopes and got back to my feet again and started walking down a snowy but relatively shallow slope. Then the wind returned. Catapulting me forwards on to the snow and forcing my left ankle into a very unnatural angle. It had broken in two places.
I knew immediately Mountain Rescue was my only option.
I made the 999 call, gave my co-ordinates, received assurance help was on its way and got all my emergency survival equipment and shelter out. It was going to be a very long wait in the snow, I was in a very remote and high location. Luckily I also had emergency hip flask given to me by my Dad filled with Laphroaig‘s finest whisky.
At one point, I heard the Coastguard helicopter making an attempt to pick me up, but the fog proved too thick and they had to give up. But eventually, 6 hours after my initial 999 call, the first members of
Assynt Mountain Rescue Team emerged out of the darkness.
I can only begin to describe how absolutely incredible they all were, as more and more arrived. They worked tirelessly over 4 hours to keep me warm, fed and as comfortable as possible as all the appropriate equipment and personnel were brought up to start getting me safely off the mountain.
I was wrapped up like a burrito in survival blankets and strapped to a stretcher for the journey down. I was aware at the time how many people were there, but it’s pretty awesome and humbling to see these pics now.
It took another 4 hours, carrying me on a specialised stretcher carefully and safely to a point clear enough for the helicopter to finally pick me up. The helicopter paramedic assessed my condition wasn’t critical so I was flown to a waiting ambulance which then took me to Inverness Hospital by midday! Almost 18 hours after the accident. Not. A. Fun. Time.
So here I found myself now. Hopefully there will be time/space tomorrow to operate (the breaks are bad and I’m going to need a couple of metal plates and screws apparently).
I’m still trying to get my head around what happened as all the adrenaline starts to wear off. Looks like it’s going to take a while for my ankle to heal fully. But at the moment I’m taking solace in the fact I did reach the summit of the final Munro on my route and had only a handful of days left. I’m already thinking next winter once I’ve recovered, I can perhaps return to symbolically tie up all the loose ends.
Thank you so much to everyone that has supported during this Watershed Trekking effort. I would not have got even half as far as this, if it wasn’t for all of you. It’s fuelled me immensely. And I’m so sorry I couldn’t quite complete it. Scotland’s great Ribbon of Wildness decreed otherwise I guess! Perhaps it was fate all along.
This does mean you might see a lot of art work/ folk stories from me
off this page for a while as I’m immobile! I was trekking for
Mind &
SCOTLAND: The Big Picture. I would still love to try and get close to my fundraising target!
Once I eventually get back home and recover a little more, I will produce some artwork to sell in support of
Assynt Mountain Rescue Team.
All these legends are volunteers. And they saved my life 
Thank you, Jake, for sharing your story with us. We’re wishing you all the very best for a quick and full recovery and return the hills soon.
Jake’s callout marked the end of a very busy period for Assynt Mountain Rescue Team – their 5th callout that week, and their 3rd within the previous 48 hours. They say of Jake’s rescue: “It was a long night, especially as some of the Team had been awake for over 48hours. A huge and successful team effort.“
All members of Assynt Mountain Rescue Team give their time on an entirely voluntary basis. They are on call 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to help anyone who’s in trouble in the mountains. It costs on average £2500 to run a mountain rescue callout, and we are reliant on public support to fund this.
Click here to make a donation and to help Assynt MRT in sustaining this vital emergency service.
Mountain Weather and Preparation
Jake’s story is also a reminder of how quickly conditions can change in Scotland’s mountains. Even if the forecast looks favourable, the weather can turn, and it’s essential to be prepared for every eventuality. Checking reliable mountain weather forecasts – such as MWIS and Met Office Mountain – is vital, as well as carrying extra layers and equipment. Know that you can always turn back if conditions worsen.
It is worth noting that Jake was well-prepared, carrying appropriate emergency kit and extra layers. Even so, he was starting to get dangerously cold by the time the team reached him — emphasising just how important it is to pack appropriately for Scotland’s winter mountains.
Assynt MRT add: “Hypothermia is a significant risk in the UK’s mountains at any time of year. As such, you should always carry spare warm clothing, an emergency bivi bag, and a group shelter of some kind. It’s also important to carry plenty of high energy food, as your body will burn calories more quickly when it is cold.”
“Jake was very well prepared… thankfully he had the stuff with him to be able to sit tight and stay warm, it’s something that we’re always trying to emphasize to people when they’re going out in the hills”, says Ben Dyson, Assynt MRT leader.
