The team made its way onto the fells between Dove Crag and Hart Crag. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

A would-be wild camper was rescued after getting into difficulties in rain and strong winds on a Lake District fell.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 1.20pm on Friday when the man called for help after becoming cold, wet and exhausted in the bad weather.

The call originally went to the Langdale Ambleside team, who passed it on to Patterdale colleagues as the incident was in their area.

A Patterdale MRT spokesperson said: “It was established the male had set off on foot from Windermere train station around 5am and was intending on going to Helvellyn to camp for the night.”

While en route he became cold and wet in the rain and high winds and was unable to pitch his tent. “As all his kit was now wet and he was in cloud he rang Cumbria police to request assistance as he felt unable to get down safely in the conditions,” the spokesperson said.

Seven team members made their way on foot from Hartsop into the Dovedale area and onto the summit between Dove Crag and Hart Crag. The team said conditions were bad with driving rain and very strong winds. A wind speed of more than 80mph was reported on nearby Helvellyn summit at the time.

Team members met the casualty, warmed him up and gave him dry clothing and a Blizzard blanket-jacket to wear and, once warm, he was walked off the hill back to the team Land Rovers and driven to Patterdale base for warm drinks.

Eleven team members were involved in the rescue which took just under five hours to complete.