The rescue scene on High Crag. Photo: Cockermouth MRT

Rescuers have praised two mountain bikers who went to the aid of a walker stuck on steep ground on a Lake District mountainside.

The pair heard shouts for help, along with barking, as they descended as night fell from Scarth Gap to Gatesgarth in the Buttermere valley.

The riders called 999 and Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team was alerted.

A team spokesperson said: “The team spoke with the informant and determined that the shouts were coming from the buttresses of High Crag, and made their way to Gatesgarth.

“In the meantime one of the mountain bikers located and climbed to the shouting individual, who was a lady that had become cragfast whilst attempting to retrieve her dogs that had descended the wrong way and themselves become stuck on the crag.

“As the team arrived, the casualty’s torch could be seen on High Crag buttress from Gatesgarth, and team members made their way up the fell, and onto the crag, setting up a fixed-rope system as they climbed.

“The casualty and mountain biker were located safe and well, then taken off the crag with a series of lowers. Two team members then ascended to the top of High Crag with the two dogs, as it was deemed to be a safer method of retrieving them. The casualty was escorted safely to her vehicle and reunited with her dogs at Gatesgarth.”

Team leader Andrew McNeil said: “This was a proper mountain rescue, with a casualty and two dogs stuck on technical ground, in the dark and in challenging windy conditions.

“The casualty was in a precarious position and the mountain bikers did a great job in calling the team and getting to her location. Rescues involving dogs in steep ground always have an element of unpredictability.

“In this instance we were able to safely get to them and lead them off over High Crag to be reunited with the casualty.”

The incident, the team’s 12th of the year, lasted about four hours and involved 12 Cockermouth MRT volunteers.