A Lake District search dog startled a drunk man who had passed out on a path during a busy weekend for mountain rescuers.
Broch, a member of the Lake District Rescue Searchdogs team and his handler Rob Grange, were called out after Keswick Mountain Rescue Team had a report that there was an unconscious drunk man on the Cumbrian Way at around 1am on Saturday, March 2.
The team, who were returning from another callout, set off to find the man, but he was not at the location given to them.
The searchdog team said: “After a search by Broch, he was found about 0.5km away.
“When Broch indicated at the body with his customary bark, it was answered with a rather loud and alarmed expletive from the sleeping individual!
“The team then walked him down to a waiting ambulance.”
It was the third call out for Keswick Mountain Rescue Team overnight.
They were first called at around 7.05pm on Friday, three walkers had to request help because of the falling darkness and snow.
They were part of a party of five people who set off from Seathwaite to climb Scafell Pike via Sty Head and Esk Hause. Two had turned back but the rest continued.
On the descent of the Corridor Route they called for assistance when it became dark and falling snow made progress difficult.
It was then reported that one of the group was unconscious. Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team deployed and asked for assistance from Keswick.
RAF Mountain Rescue support was also requested.
Further contact was made and the group were now heading towards Styhead Pass, although it took some time to clarify whether the unconscious person was with them, the tam said.
He had recovered and was with the group.
A couple of men camping at Styhead Tarn heard shouts from the group, and to their great credit, escorted the men down towards Seathwaite where they were met by Keswick team members on their way up. Two Keswick team members continued with the group down to their car at Seathwaite while the others were alerted to the next call out.
An 18-year-old was reported missing by his father after he failed to return after a walk up Scafell Pike with his two dogs.
A multi-agency search was initiated and Keswick were tasked with covering the main paths from Seathwaite up to Esk Hause.
Team members who were on the previous call out continued on up to Styhead Pass whilst additional team members, and RAF Mountain Rescue Service personnel ascended Grains Gill.
In the early hours, Wasdale reported that they had located the man and his dogs in Piers Gill. With this news RAF and Keswick teams returned to their vehicles.
