Found Deceased UK - Edward Catmur, 40, last seen in Dufton, Cumbria, before going on a fell run, 31 Dec 2023

[Normal Norm]

Cumbria Police are concerned for the welfare of 40 year old Edward Catmur.

He was last seen at 10am on 31/12/2023 in Dufton, Cumbria, intending on following a route to Cross Fell and Hartside Cross.

Edward is described as a white male, 5'9 tall, slim athletic build, dark brown long hair, last seen wearing lime green shorts and fell running trainers.

Cumbria Police Facebook page
Cumbria Police Facebook homepage

 

[RickshawFan]

Dufton, Cumbria, in shorts and running shoes....

 

[Normal Norm]

There are very few reasons for me to be optimistic about this, unfortunately, except for the fact that Ed is an extremely fit bloke. If he has injured himself, he may have been able to find some rudimentary shelter, and he may have had basic necessities like water and a jacket with him.

The climb from Dufton to Cross Fell is 700m (2300 feet), and his intended route, in one direction only, is around 13.5 miles! Was he intending to walk / run the retun leg, or was he planning on getting a lift back? The weather chart, kindly provided above by @RickshawFan , will not reflect the temperatures on the tops, which will probably be several degrees lower (perhaps around 2 or 3 degrees Celsius / 36 degrees Farenheit) ...

And as I am in the process of writing all of this, suddenly the good news comes through!!! I'll create a separate post for this.

 

[Normal Norm]

Oh, dear. I really don't know what is happening now. As I was writing the above post, people were commenting on the police appeal that Ed had been found by mountain rescue teams. When I looked at the Coniston Mountain Rescue Team Facebook page, there was an announcement that a runner reported missing in the Cross Fell area had been found at mid-day (01 Jan 2024). Within seconds of my reading that, the post was edited and the section about the runner having been found had been removed. Seconds after that, the post was removed altogether.

All in all, things have taken a very confusing turn. Hopefully there will be some clarification soon.

 

[StillDiggin]

Really sad news, RIP Edward.
A body has been recovered during the search for missing fell runner, Edward Catmur.

Edward, from the London area, had been reported missing after he was not heard from since 10am yesterday (31 Dec). He had been intending to fell run a route to Cross Fell and Hartside Cross, from Dufton.

The body of a man was recovered earlier today (1 Jan) in the Cross Fell area.

Edward’s family has been informed of developments.

Cumbria Police would like to thank Penrith Mountain Rescue Team colleagues who spent long hours both last night and today leading the search effort.

https://www.facebook.com/100064410952270/posts/pfbid02j34wMJvaUvrSE8caAbXh9wmFcStFsMM8jv1GQ7aeCGdxsAsYVz55veRWFkwHXxwJl

 

[RickshawFan]

The family seems to have reported him missing quite soon after his ETA passed, so that is a good thing.

Are there steep drop offs on that specific pathway? Likelihood of black ice?

It seems like a lot of the "wilderness" missing in the last couple of years are trail runners or hikers in the category of officious ounce-counters in terrain they have no experience with. Outdoor clubs and manufacturers IMO should be making it cool to carry emergency items.

 

[rls11]

The family seems to have reported him missing quite soon after his ETA passed, so that is a good thing.

Are there steep drop offs on that specific pathway? Likelihood of black ice?

It seems like a lot of the "wilderness" missing in the last couple of years are trail runners or hikers in the category of officious ounce-counters in terrain they have no experience with. Outdoor clubs and manufacturers IMO should be making it cool to carry emergency items.

With respect, Ed Catmur has participated in a large number of races in various terrain and some of huge distances (100 miles+). He has won races in all sorts of terrain including the Pennine Way, for example, so had a great amount of experience...

 

[cottonweaver]

The photograph at the BBC site appears to show Penrith Mountain Rescue Team at a shelter

Edward Catmur: Body found in search for runner missing in Cumbria

Edward Catmur, of London, was reported missing in Cumbria on New Year's Eve.

www.bbc.co.uk

This looks like the Cross Fell shelter which was rebuilt recently ' Now the shelter is finished it can once again offers walkers some much needed respite, to those who get caught out by ever changing and often hostile weather conditions.'
The link includes video

Dry Stone Cross Shelter | stonework

www.lambeth-stonework.com

RIP Mr Catmur & condolences to his family

 

[Smccat]

RIP Edward. Poor guy.

 

[RickshawFan]

With respect, Ed Catmur has participated in a large number of races in various terrain and some of huge distances (100 miles+). He has won races in all sorts of terrain including the Pennine Way, for example, so had a great amount of experience...

Even highly experienced wild-country athletes have emergencies and must contend with natural forces. I mentioned ice.

 

[Dpdan]

Great work by the search teams to recover him so quickly. RIP.

 

[StillDiggin]

https://cumbriacrack.com/2024/06/11/inquest-opens-into-death-of-runner-found-on-new-years-day/