The Old Man of Coniston. Photo: Chubbennaitor

A couple were led to safety today after spending the night on a freezing Lakeland felltop.

The pair became benighted near the summit of the Old Man of Coniston yesterday evening and had to spend the night on the 803m (2,634ft) mountain. Members of the Coniston Mountain Rescue Team went to the walkers’ aid this morning after being alerted.

A spokesperson for the team said: “Although in a shelter, both were very cold. One of the pair was suffering from a suspected fractured wrist and a minor ankle injury. Both were able to be walked of the mountain with assistance from team members.”

The rescue was the second in less than a week on the fell. Last Wednesday, 30 December, 15 team members helped a part of four walkers who had become disoriented in snowy conditions near the summit. The team’s spokesperson said: “One man was located above the Cove area of the mountain and another was nearby both were made safe and assisted off the mountain. The remaining two members of the group made their own way off the mountain separately.”

Full winter equipment, including crampons and ice-axe, along with the ability to use them, is recommended for trips to the Lake District fells. The felltop report from Helvellyn today says there are drifts up to 1m deep, but snow is generally loose and dry to a depth of 20 to 30cm.

Unusually for this time of winter, there has been very little thawing, which allows for better bonding of the snowpack as it goes through its cycle of freezing and thawing. Consistently cold conditions mean the snow is not in good condition for ice and snow climbing.

The report, compiled from observations and readings on England’s third highest peak, continues: “There are reports of windslab – loosely bonded snow – avalanches taking place at various Lake District locations.

“The cornice along the Helvellyn summit ridge is now well established and is showing signs of cracking, so please keep well back from the edge. Full winter clothing, footwear and equipment, including ice axe and crampons are essential for anyone venturing out onto the fells.

“Several Lakeland tarns, such as Red Tarn, have frozen. The ice is not very thick, so please do not be tempted out on them.”

Temperature today on the summit of Helvellyn was -5C, with a windchill taking the figure down to -13C. Winds remain light.