The walkers got stuck on the top of Blencathra. Photo: KA CC-BY-SA-2.0

Two young men had to be rescued from a Lake District mountain after getting lost in the dark.

The pair rang for help on Saturday when they became stranded on Blencathra in icy conditions.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 3.55pm to aid the walkers, who did not have torches.

A team spokesperson said: “They had planned to descend Sharp Edge, but got completely lost below Atkinson Pike.

“It became clear that they would be unable to get themselves off in the conditions, so a small group went up from the Blencathra Centre and brought them down safely. They were given a lift back to their car.

“Curiously enough, it still gets dark at 4pm in December, and a torch should be in everyone’s rucksack at this time of year.”

Six team members were involved in the rescue, which lasted almost 4½ hours.

Rescuers at the scene of the incident on Walla Crag. Photo: Keswick MRT

The Keswick team was in action earlier in the day when a walker slipped and banged his head on Walla Crag.

The 26-year-old was with his father-in-law when he fell on frozen ground. The incident left him very dizzy and feeling sick.

A Keswick MRT spokesperson said: “[He] was assessed at the scene by a passing doctor, who happened to be a former team member.

“The team immediately sent a vehicle to Rakefoot Farm with five personnel, and a further six followed them in one of the Sprinters. The casualty was packaged on to a stretcher and sledged down to the road.

“As there was no ambulance available at that time, the Team loaded him into the Sprinter, and he was taken to Keswick Cottage Hospital to await transfer to the Cumberland Infirmary.”

The rescue lasted a little more than 1¾ hours and involved 13 volunteers from Keswick MRT.