The man reported himself lost on Ingleborough. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Rescuers said they had a ‘little game of hide-and-seek’ in the Yorkshire Dales after a lost walker called for help.

The Cave Rescue Organisation was alerted about 5.45pm on Tuesday when a man attempting the Yorkshire Three Peaks reported himself lost on Ingleborough.

North Yorkshire Police had established his position just below the footpath leading to Horton in Ribblesdale on Simon Fell Breast.

A team spokesperson said: “After reporting himself lost on Ingleborough, the walker in question kept on the move which made communicating and locating or re-locating him a little difficult.

“A local team member ran up to the last known position we had on Simon Fell while team members in [team vehicle] CRO2 drove up towards Nick Pot from Crummack Dale.

“Both parties didn’t have sight of the misper so we readied another team in CRO3 to join in the hunt. They had just about got to shouting ‘coming ready or not’ when the misper called to say that he was now at Ingleborough Cave and was OK so the game was abandoned.”

The team asked the walker to call at its Clapham base so they could ensure he was all right and for a debrief.

The spokesperson said: “It was a cold night and, uninjured, we can fully understand why he had the urge to keep moving.

“However, it did make it very difficult for us to give the assistance that was initially requested.

“At the end of the day, we are very glad that the incident ended without injury, but we would like to stress that if you do call for assistance, sitting tight while we establish communication and come up with a plan of attack is always the best approach for all parties involved.”