The rescue scene on Dove Crag. Photo: Patterdale MRT

Two would-be campers were rescued after getting lost searching for a Lake District cave.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was alerted shortly after 7.10pm on Wednesday to aid the young men who got into difficulties when they headed out to spend the night in the Priest’s Hole on Dove Crag.

A team spokesperson said: “They had got lost trying to find the cave, and found themselves on steep icy ground, with no map and no torches.

“The duty leader guided them over the phone back to safer ground and the main path, and four team members ascended to meet them with spare torches, warm clothing and first aid supplies.”

Priest’s Hole cave has been the site of numerous rescues, partly due to its popularity on social media and on a television programme. Ten years ago, a man died when he fell nearly 500ft at the site.

The team said the two men were walked back down to the valley and dropped off at their car. The incident involved five Patterdale MRT volunteers and lasted 3½ hours.