The route down Nitting Haws. Photo: Michael Graham CC-BY-SA-2.0

A couple had to be rescued after getting stuck on steep ground on a Lake District route.

The pair were walking on the fells above Borrowdale yesterday when they became cragfast after diverting from a path.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 4.05pm and went to their aid.

A team spokesperson said: “A couple walking on the High Spy ridge decided to try and shorten their route by descending through Nitting Haws.

“Unfortunately, they lost the path, managed to traverse into some very difficult ground, and became cragfast.

“They phoned for assistance, and the team despatched a group to locate them. The couple were able to describe their position quite accurately, and were found in an area of steep drops and loose rock.

“They were roped down to a safer ledge, and then along a traverse to reach safer ground.”

Nine team members took part in the three-hour rescue, which ended with the couple being walked down to a farm in the valley below, than taken back to Keswick.

The incident was the Keswick team’s 70th this year.