The walker was found near the bottom of the Esk Hause path in upper Eskdale

A lost walker was found on the slopes of England’s highest mountain after major 11-hour overnight search.

Volunteers from two mountain rescue teams, along with members of Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs scoured all sides of Scafell Pike before finding the man sheltering in the remotest part of upper Eskdale.

Police were alerted about 9.45pm yesterday when the walker, in his 60s, failed to return to the hotel where he was staying.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was called out, with colleagues from the Keswick team and search dogs. A Wasdale team spokesperson said: “It was known he’d started at Seathwaite in Borrowdale but it was unclear exactly where he had gone, but thought most likely to be Scafell Pike.”

High winds and heavy rain were battering the fells, adding to the difficulties with the search, with streams in spate and wet conditions underfoot.

The spokesperson said: “The man was found around 3am at the bottom of the Esk Hause path in upper Eskdale.

“He’d become disoriented on his descent from Scafell Pike, then overtaken by darkness and decided to make an impromptu bivvy.

“He was unhurt but cold and tired. After some rewarming he was walked back to Taw House Farm in Eskdale.”

Once back in Eskdale, the rescuers’ ordeal was not over, with floods in the valley adding to difficulties escaping the area.

The rescue finally ended at 9am today. It involved 16 members of the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team.