Don’t look down, it’s RPMRT.

Yes RPMRT strike again in their latest bid to give the public a fun day out and also try and get enough donations to keep the Team running into 2013.

The  Peel Tower abseil looks like it could become a regular annual fixture. In the course of a day over one hundred otherwise sane people walked all the way to the top of the Peel Tower at Holcombe, then took the quick way down on the end of a rope. 128 feet we think it is, or about 43 metres if you’re one of these modern types. If that doesn’t seem like a long way down, just pop up next time you see the flag flying on the tower and lean over the edge.

Several very brave people conquered their fear of heights, or their fear of falls more accurately, as Ken, Pete and Pete encouraged them to go over the edge. Yes, there were many worried faces, and even a couple who decided it was a bit too high. It doesn’t matter. I reckon the two bravest people I saw were the ones who knew they didn’t like heights but still tried to get over their fears – you showed more bottle than most just by having a go.

If you were there and saw a few of us suddenly race off in a cloud of dust – well it just goes to show why a Mountain Rescue Team is needed in the area. A mountain biker had crashed near the firing ranges, literally less than a mile away from the tower; the ambulance could not access him to treat him or to evacuate him as it was a long way from a proper road. Team members took a paramedic crew there in one of our 4x4s; he was treated for a broken humerus and a nasty shoulder injury by NWAS  and then we carried the poor lad to the Air Ambulance over some steep terrain. Then if that wasn’t enough, it was up all theose b****y steps to the top of the tower to carry on…..

I was the lucky one hanging over the edge all day taking a few snaps – follow this link to see yourself in heroic poise.

Many thanks to organisers, team members and the lovely people who kept us busy all day!

 (PS – I am still waiting for my Bratwurst to arrive.)