A wild camper in the Lake District had to be rescued in the early hours after his tent failed during a snowstorm.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out at around 2.10am on Sunday, February 15 to Helvellyn.
The camper’s tent had suffered structural failure during the storm, which had been predicted to hit the fell.
The team said: “The individual attempted to self-rescue in blizzard conditions, with heavy snow falling even at valley level.
“The team initially monitored his descent via PhoneFind, but as the whiteout intensified and his precise position became difficult to ascertain, a fell party was dispatched from Swirls to intercept him.
“The man was met on the lower slopes, having made significant progress down the mountain despite the conditions. He was escorted to the Swirls car park and subsequently dropped in Keswick.”
The team added that the incident highlighted how extreme winter weather can exceed the limits of high-quality mountain equipment.
It added: “When forecasts predict strong winds and heavy snow, considering lower-level alternatives can prevent equipment failure from escalating.
“Carrying a back-up survival bag provides a vital safety margin should a primary shelter fail.”
