Volunteers from Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team were called out late last night after concerns were raised for a group believed to have entered Crackpot Cave and failed to return.
The team launched a search operation covering the main cave system and nearby mining passages near Keld in Swaledale.
An initial search of the main Crackpot Cave system found nothing, while a further sweep of Crackpot Mine also proved negative.
As additional team members arrived, rescuers widened the operation to include the more complex “intestine series” of passages, alongside a surface search of the steep terrain surrounding the cave.
The missing people were eventually located safe and well while wild camping nearby.
Rescuers later discovered the group had not actually entered the cave system.
The team described the outcome as “a good result” and thanked everyone involved in the operation.
