"Even clad in full winter gear, with ice-axes, winter boots and full waterproof body cover, it was a struggle, " said Mr Rodwell.

BBC: Pennine Way endurance runners rescued

Several scientists pointed out that during most of the past 10, 000 years, the time period since the last full-blown ice age glaciation ended, global temperatures were warmer than today.

FORBES: Anti-Science Climate Deniers On The Retreat In Germany

In the mid-1970s, for example, the media was full of stories about an impending ice age.

FORBES: Magazine Article