A Sea King helicopter from HMS Gannet joined the operation

Three mountain rescue teams went to the aid of a climber who triggered a Lake District avalanche today.

Two helicopters joined members of the Keswick, Wasdale and Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Teams after the incident which happened about 2.25 this afternoon, Wednesday. Members of the Search and Rescue Dogs Association also went to the aid of the man.

A spokesperson for the Keswick team said: “An experienced climber was soloing Window Gully on Great End and had almost completed the climb when he triggered an avalanche.

“Other climbers in the area remember seeing him in the gully and were concerned that he had been carried down in the avalanche.”

After investigations by the rescuers, it became clear that the climber had escaped the avalanche.

The spokesperson continued: “Happily, one of the first team members at the scene found the climber who was able to confirm that he had not been avalanched or injured.”

The north-east facing crags of Great End, between Esk Hause and Sprinkling Tarn, mark the eastern end of the Scafell range. The 140m Window Gully route is classed as a grade II to III winter climb.