I love the lake district and visit regularly. It never ceases to amaze me (when hurrying down a mountain in winter time to beat the sunset) to see people struggling uphill in the growing darkness. Bring back the Darwin awards for such people. That said, there are surely two issues here. Issue 1 is idiots who put themselves (and others) in danger through stupidity. Issue 2 is whether it is right to take young children up a mountain. My son is 9 months old and I can't wait to take him walking properly. When I do I'll make damn sure that I have the right kit and enough time to complete the journey.

Matt D, Leeds, UK

Methinks Terence Hollingworth should have a look at one or two websites before he spouts his rubbish. The Mountain Rescue Teams in the UK are all volunteers and all of their equipment is provided by public donation (they receive no tax payers money whatsoever).

http://www.lamrt.org.uk/
http://www.keswickmrt.org.uk/
http://www.wasdale-mountain-rescue.org.uk/

It was the Wasdale team who rescued this family and a report can be found on their website. There are many other teams who, for lack of space, I have not mentioned, but they all do a fantastic job, together with the rescue dogs and emergency services.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

A response is necessary to Mathew Pariss’ statement ‘Good for Mr and Mrs Naylor. They gave it a go’ (Times, 23/02/2007). Whilst we all applaud parents who take their families into the environment this was not the occasion to do so. With responsibility comes the ability to assess risk, this adventure failed to take into account timing, bad weather and ability of the group. What Mr Pariss says goes against mountain rescue teams advise fellwalkers, namely ‘if it looks bad, turn around and come back another day’. The fact that the ‘little boy won’t forget his ascent of Scafell’ is a testament to the 43 volunteer rescuers from 3 teams (and others, like our team who were put on standby as the seriousness of the incident escalated) and their search dogs who turned out so that he could remember the event. The family’s assured survival as Pariss assumes was not that certain. He shows a complete disregard for the professionalism, dedication and opinions of mountain rescuers and his offens

Roger Pickup DTL LAMRT, Windermere, UK

I'm not condoning how ill prepared and unthinking these people were but to say that even a walk in the woods is too much for a five year old is ridiculous! Of course a five year old is capable of a long walk as long as you have enough time for adequate breaks - you certainly don't leave at 12 o'clock and only get to the top just before it's dark! When I climbed Snowdon with my kids (the youngest of whom was 4 and the eldest at 8 who has a disability) we left at half eight and were on our way back down by 12. And that was in summer!

Alison, Shrewsbury, UK

How can it be "impossible to estimate the cost of the rescue operation"? It should be easy to work out where the expense is.

The parents should also be brought to task for their irresponsibility.

Neil, London, UK

Don't exaggerate, Jen. We used to bounce up and down mountains like nobody's business when we were little (when we did Mont Blanc, the dog gave up before we did). Then again, maybe little kiddies aren't as fit anymore?

Starling, Lancaster,

Apart from the recklessness of these foolish parents, I am surprised at the comments from one Mr Hollingsworth who lives in France. In live in the French Northern Alps, and know a good few people who act as guides and rescuers to those caught out by lack of knowledge, experience and the turn in the weather in mountainous regions, and cannot agree with his flippant remarks. I have never, in this country, Italy or Britain come across mountain rescue and guide teams that have the attitude to which Hollingsworth alludes. Complete rubbish. These people are volunteers yet they risk their lives for those stupid enough to venture out ill-equipped, and with little common sense. Here I have met Britons, climbing & walking, way off their track with no more than a Michelin road map, because "all the others were in written in French..."
Hollingsworth won't find the rescuers laughing at those people, because it happens all too often.

Hubble, Evian, France,

I like being reminded of this herioc family who chose a little exercise and adventure above inactivlty and 'dreary but safe'. But is it really still todays most commented (13th March 2007)? If so, lets hear a bit more from those against the safety police who feel we ought to be allowed to live a bit.

Robert Shaw, Bishops Stortford,

maybe if these idiots (I mean unlucky but plucky thrill seekers.... shyeah) were made to pay, others would think twice before putting lives at risk. taking a five-year old up a mountain is cruel at the best of times. I bet they're horribly pushy parents - they're certainly not considerate towards their children. even a walk through the woods is too much for a five-year old and that's without getting lost. it's all very well having a sense of adventure, but some common sense has to go with it.

jem, london, uk

I spent a number of years instructing cadets in outdoors pursuits and the most important thing that any adult shoul dknow is that the children do not have the same energy reserves that adults have. As leaders or parents (or both) the lives of all your party are in your hands.

As for that rediculous statement by Mr Holingworth, I doubt that our mountain/search and rescue teams actually volunteer for this kind of work on an excercise of bravado...shocking...as a person that has been involved in a search before, i can tell you that there is just relief when the missing are found and brought down safely...

Steve Chapman, York, UK

I think perhaps they should have taken with them suitable equipment and food to be able to overnight on the mountain, then camly return once all was clear in the morning. no emergency.
As for being lost, a hand-held GPS receiver (which I imagine would have enabled them to return the same day all on their own) can be bought for as little as £60 - no excuses!

Marco, bhm, uk

In New Zealand the question you ask yourself before risking anybody in such situations is "What are you going to tell the coroner". This concentrates the mind !!

HJC, Tring, UK

Is that so, Terence? I rememer the story of a man who died on a mountain in France, and the mountain rescue people charged his family a fortune because they tried to save him.

I suppose people think the can easily climb Scafell Pike because the Lakes seem like a pretty harmless place, with its fairly dense population and the like. I know, how wrong can people be.

Starling, Lancaster,

I've been on Scafell a few times, it's hardly Everest. It's a challenging walk but not a technical climb - it is definitely a great place to take kids. The problem here is education about the way the weather can change instantly on a mountain, and they underestimated the length of time it would take to summit. I'm just glad everyone's OK.

Gavin, London, UK

I think people who want to venture to such places should have a transmitter, which when switched on would then reveal its position. This would help rescue teams greatly.
PMR Israel

Peter Roth, Bnei Brak , Israel

The local mountaineers just love being called out on rescue missions. They love the feeling of superiority it gives them to be able to locate and save lost people in dangerous conditions. They love taking the moral high ground when they see that the same lost people have inadequate gear and are incapable of navigating in poor visibility. There is even rivalry between different rescue groups to get there first. As for making the victims pay, even the best mountaineer knows that it could one day be him being rescued; hence he gives his time freely for others.

Terence Hollingworth, Blagnac, France

Rescuers in the Rocky Mountains have been known to yell encouraging things like "Well, I bet you feel really stupid now" when rescuing particularly idiotic people. These would qualify, except that the five-year-old would probably be hurt by it.

raincoaster, Vancouver, BC

While one could make an argument that the parents' lack of common sense forfeited their own rights to be saved, the children were completely innocent and therefore deserving of rescue. And if you already have the kids, you might as well bring down their "insane" mother and father as well.

Randall Lee, Burke, Virginia, USA

send the dummies the bill for their rescue!,maybe the next bunch will figure it out and think twice.

me, belleville,

Perhaps silly people like this should pay something towards their rescue. This service is expensive and puts even the rescuers lives at risk. Imagine if helicopters had to be sent searching for them too. Selfish silly people

Dorothy della Porta, Warwick, Warwickshire

I hope the rescue service presents them with a bill! What a daft couple - and to drag those poor kids with them.

VPA, Leigh,

Vickie, Yarm. If people choose to put themselves at risk that is entirely their concern. Life has become supremely boring thanks to the 'safety police' and it is time people were allowed to make their own decisions and take whatever risks they wish. However, it is unacceptable for such people to put at risk those who are unable to make valid decisions for themselves such as, in this case, a child. It is also unacceptable to expect others, such as rescue services, to put themselves at risk to save them if things take a turn for the worse. That aside, if people wish to prance up mountains wearing gym shoes and fairy costumes, then good luck to them - Britain has lost far too many of its eccentrics in the face of attrition by health and safety executives.

Bob Finbow, Haverhill, England

As a man with two children aged 4 and 12 I would recommend to all the benefits of hillwalking for families as a way to get out and enjoy the fresh air and exercise. I too took my little ones to the top of Skiddaw, a close and similarly sized mountain, last year and although tiring for them, they enjoyed the experience and the Cola on return. That said, it was late summer, we set off early and all had proper boots, clothing, compass and map. We all need to learn from our experiences although this seems a very dangerous and financially costly way to do.

Richard, Newark,

I am a climber and mountaineer and it boils my blood when I see ill equiped and un prepared people - families and groups attempting to climb any mountain or hill. The amount of times I have seen people stroll past in trainers and rucksack - even in winter beggers belief.

Vickie, Yarm, Cleveland

there was an excellent photograph of scafell pike with this article today - is it possible to buy a copy of this photograph ?

steven Boyd, egham, uk

need I say say anything?

maria murray, hong kong, hong kong