Helvellyn's summit plateau

Five walkers were rescued from England’s third highest mountain after getting lost in the dark.

Mountain rescuers spent six hours on Helvellyn after an RAF helicopter had to turn back because of bad visibility. The group was found and walked off the fell to safety.

Police were alerted at 6pm yesterday, Saturday, after the walkers rang 999 to say they were unable to find their way off the summit plateau of the 950m (3,117ft) mountain. The five used Striding Edge to ascend the mountain.

A spokesperson for Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, which went to their aid, said: “Ten members of the team responded and were deployed onto the fell.

“A Sea King helicopter from RAF Valley that had just completed an earlier rescue in the western fells, also attended, but due to the low cloud was unable after repeated attempts to reach the scene.

“This Helicopter then flew to Walney Island and shut down to await a clearing in the weather.

“The team ascended to the summit of Helvellyn and found the five people. After ascertaining that they were not suffering any medical problems they walked them down to Thirlmere from where they were transported along with all the team members to the rescue base in Patterdale.

“The helicopter returned to RAF Valley. The team was finally stood down after a long, cold and very windy night in deep snow at midnight.”

The Lake District National Park Authority’s felltop assessors, who climb to the summit of Helvellyn each day, said: “The deep snow covering all paths, combined with low cloud make navigation at altitude challenging. Good navigation skills are essential, as is the ability to assess your route carefully and be prepared to turn back when necessary.

“Above 450m, the snow depth increases with height to over on metre in drifts, with fresh, loose snow forming the upper 20 to 30cm.

“Both Striding and Swirral Edge are heavily loaded with loose snow and the final exit ramps are potentially unstable. Large cornices along the summit ridges are also heavily loaded, so please keep well back from the edge.

“Full winter clothing, footwear and equipment including an ice axe and crampons are essential for anyone venturing out onto the fells.”