Gavel Crag at the head of Kentmere, close to where the two women were found. Photo: Michael Graham CC-BY-SA-2.0

Two walkers were rescued from a Lake District fell in a six-hour operation as night fell and a snowstorm enveloped the mountain.

Kendal Mountain Rescue Team was called out by police at 4pm yesterday, Sunday, after the two women reported themselves lost in poor visibility, failing daylight and heavy snow on the Kentmere Horseshoe.

A Kendal team spokesperson said: “We deduced their likely location from the information that they were able to give us using their mobile phone and a by employing a little technical black magic.

“Three groups of team members were sent up from different directions to cover all eventualities.”

The women were found just off the path to High Street above Gavel Crag, about 750m (2,461ft) up on the fell at the head of Kentmere.

The team spokesperson said they were warmed up then walked off down to Troutbeck Park. “They were then driven round to Kentmere in one of our Land Rovers to pick up their own transport,” the spokesperson said.

The rescue ended at 10pm.