Scafell Pike and Neighbours

Day 31 – Wednesday 22 April – saw us back at Wasdale Head, this time joined by good friends James and Jill Alpe. The forecast had promised warm sunny weather: our guests arrived in shorts and I had mine ready to put on – but this is the Lake District. The skies were grey and the breeze had a chill bite to it.

After a night on top of a radiator my camera started to work again but it didn’t last long, telling me that the battery was flat. I suspect that the water which got into the works had dried out but that the battery had been damaged too. I have a spare which will hopefully resolve the problem, but unfortunately today is another day with a shortage of pictures.

It’s a straightforward long climb up to the summit of Lingmell (2649’), a satellite on the side of Scafell Pike: I think Jill must be better suited to fell running as she soon disappeared into the distance. After enjoying the views we continued up the rough stony track to the even rougher stonier summit of Scafell Pike, at 3210’ the highest mountain in England. I doubt whether the summit is ever clear of people in daylight hours, and as expected there were about half a dozen walkers there when we arrived. Scafell, the ‘twin’ peak, can be seen nearby, looking for all the world like it’s no problem getting from one to the other. Nothing could be further from the truth: Wainwright describes the trek from Scafell Pike to Scafell as ‘a walk not to be undertaken lightly (true) – medals have been won for lesser deeds (a bit of exaggeration perhaps)’.

A rocky descent to Mickledore ridge is followed by a short, attractive ridge; just before the great rock wall of Scafell Crag is reached, the rough path is followed downhill until one feels one must nearly have reached sea level again. From here a steep gully is followed back up to the puddle which is flatteringly known as Foxes Tarn. Further steep, slippery slopes follow until eventually the rocky summit is reached at 3162’.

After a quick bite we set off for the final top, Slight Side (2499’), a mere protruberance on Scafell’s south ridge, but a fine rocky top nevertheless. The wind was now bringing in a mist which reduced visibility, but it only affected the tops and once we started to descend we were back in bright conditions again. It was quite a long, grassy walk back to Wasdale Head, but we were finished before 3 pm – giving us time to get home and snatch a bite to eat before going to Fleetwood for the semi-final of the Rotary District Quiz, where we were totally outclassed by an excellent team. It had been a long day!

Photos (taken before the camera packed up again! 1. Wastwater and the Screes; 2. Great Gable overlooking the head of Wastwater; 3. The only Alpes in the Lake District (plus Mike) at the summit of Lingmell; 4. Looking to Sty Head Tarn and Borrowdale from Lingmell.