Members of the Langdale team had already advised the lost walker to head for the valley

Three mountain rescue teams and four search dogs were involved in a major search in the Lake District overnight for a walker who got lost despite asking rescuers for directions earlier.

The man was found by a Search and Rescue Dogs Association member’s animal at 3.15am today, Monday, after a hunt involving members of the Patterdale, Langdale and Ambleside, and Penrith Mountain Rescue Teams.

The 36-year-old, from Whitehaven, Cumbria, had left his home at 7.30am for a fellwalking trip and got lost as he tried to return to his car on the Kirkstone Pass, between Windermere and Patterdale.

The Patterdale team was alerted by Cumbria police and their rescue colleagues from the Langdale and Ambleside team and joined the search about midnight.

A spokesperson for Patterdale MRT said: “Surprisingly, the missing person had spoken to Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team whilst they were dealing with a rescue earlier in the evening.

“He had asked the Team what time it would go dark and if he was heading in the right direction. He was advised to descend to the valley but chose to carry on his route to Hart Crag, later becoming disorientated in the dark and mist.

“The man did not have a torch and, when darkness fell, he was unable to continue. The weather deteriorated throughout the evening with heavy rain, and poor visibility.”

After the man was found, he was led from the fells by rescuers.

The Patterdale team had earlier gone to the aid of a woman from Burnley, Lancashire, who slipped and injured her ankle while walking on a path at Low Wood, above Brothers Water.

Rescuers were called to the 43-year-old at 5.20pm. Her leg was splinted by the team and she was then stretchered off the fell and taken to the team’s rescue headquarters where a team doctor assessed her condition before one of her friends drove her to hospital in Lancaster.