A Lake District mountain rescue team was called out after two walkers and their dog failed to return from a walk on Scafell.
Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team was called at around 11.30pm on Tuesday after a concerned family member raised the alarm.
Due to the weather conditions, and potential for hypothermia, a full callout was made and additional support from Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team and Lake District Search Dogs.
After searches of several areas, the team assigned to Hollow Stones heard barking and howling – and spotted a light high on Scafell.
They found the walkers and their dog Dexter, who was refusing to move. The 40kg Doberman/Belgian Malinois cross had decided not to move any further on nightfall, despite much encouragement.
The team said: “The walkers were uninjured, cold, and had not wanted to leave their dog on the fell. They were equipped well enough to spend an unplanned night on the fell, and we found that Dexter was trained to bark and howl, thus initially attracting our attention.
“Other rescuers ‘harnessed’ the energy to make the hard pull up to their location but no amount of encouragement could make Dexter move downhill.
“The agreed course of action was to wait for daylight and hope that he regained his confidence to move downhill with better visibility. As such, bivvy shelters were deployed for all, and a long ‘paws’ ensued.
“After a ‘woof’ night, as dawn broke, further attempts were made but Dexter stood fast. As hope was fading a last ditch attempt was made with a 50m rope lead and he was gently encouraged downhill.
“Thankfully once he started moving there were no further problems and a brisk, boisterous and friendly walk with Dexter was then made back to Brackenclose.”
