Rescuers at the top of the gully on Great End. Photo: Keswick MRT

Rescuers at the top of the gully on Great End. Photo: Keswick MRT

Two people were rescued from a Lake District fell after getting stuck while scrambling.

The man and woman, both 30, called for help when they got cragfast on Great End in the Scafell range.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 2.40pm on Sunday. A team spokesperson said the pair had no climbing equipment.

“The couple believed they were scrambling up Cust’s Gully which is a steep and loose but relatively straightforward gully assuming you have a head for heights and the sure-footedness of a mountain goat,” the spokesperson said.

“After further telephone conversations with the stuck pair it turned out they were actually in the left branch of Central Gully, a winter grade III ice climb and in summer a place any self-respecting mountain goat would avoid.”

Team members made their way to the site up Grains Gill from Seathwaite then ascended the eastern flank of Great End to the top of the gully.

The spokesperson said: “Great care was required at the top due to the loose nature of the gully and the risk of sending rocks down on top of the couple below.

“After belays were set up one team member was lowered into the gully with additional harnesses and helmets for the pair who were then lowered to the scree at the foot of the gully where it was safe to un-rope and walk off.”

The 4¾-hour rescue involved 22 volunteers from Keswick MRT.

The previous evening the team had received another call for help for walkers stuck on steep ground.

The four called for help from Seathwaite Fell and the alert initially went to the Wasdale team but was passed on to Keswick MRT about 9.45pm when it was realised the group was in its area.

The spokesperson said: “Two vehicles were dispatched but later, further information was received that the party had managed to get themselves out of difficulty and were on safe ground. After this was verified the vehicles returned to base.”

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