~Scafell Pike~
22nd August 2013
When the day dawned at Chapel House Farm Campsite, Stonethwaite, I had no clear plan as to how to spend the day. Earlier forecasts had indicated that this would be the cloudier of my two days, so I didn't make an early start and was expecting to be at lower levels. However, plans soon formed and I had a great walk - an unusual route which I doubt has been done before, unless you know differently......
Allen Crags Summit
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Chapel House Farm Campsite
For starters, I climbed about 200ft up the northern flank of Rosthwaite Fell to get a view of the campsite (over the woods). I like this place, cars are not allowed on the site (other than to unload); the facilities are limited and that keeps the numbers down.
Campsite View
Back at the campsite and I worked on a plan to climb Allen Crags from Seathwaite. I expected to go on to climb Scafell Pike and then see what happened after that. So I drove round to Seathwaite, knocking about four miles off the total length of the walk, had it started from here. In the end, a good decision.
 |
 |
Seathwaite Fell |
To Grains Gill |
Starting at 09:50hrs from the roadside, the first of a day full of impressive views is that of Seathwaite Fell. Unsettled clouds don't seem to know whether to stay put, lift or drop into the valleys.
The Footbridge, Grains Gill
 |
 |
Moraine Ridge |
Allen Gill |
Devotees of Wainwright might consider this to be the correct way to ascend Allen Crags, it being the only described ascent route in the relevant chapter. The "remarkable moraine" is home to a boulder which is slowly slipping down the slope - a trench behind it and a mound of disturbed earth at the front. Don't sit around waiting for action, it's a very slow process. To reach Allen Gill, you need to cross at the watersmeet where three becks join together.
The Gables
Halfway up Allen Gill and The Gables come into view over the higher reaches of Seathwaite Fell.
High House Tarn
The tarns of the ridge between Glaramara and Allen Crags, I turn right and head for Allen Crags summit.
Allen Crags Summit, 2572ft asl
Great End & The Gables
 |
 |
To Scafell Pike
From Allen Crags, the walk crossed Esk Hause and headed for Calf Cove (right). This is one of those parts of the walk where you can put your maps away and follow the crowds, it's quite safe to assume everyone has the same objecive.
Broad Crag (right) and Scafell Pike (centre)
Great Gable
Interesting cloudscapes in the view across to Great Gable.
The Broad Crag "Blockfield"
This is the territory of awkward steps and undignified tumbles. How can it be that in a random assortment of angular boulders, so few seem to offer a flat surface? Thankfully it was dry today.
The Final Ascent
Scafell Pike Summit 3,210ft asl
I expected to find myself in company and therefore could not be disappointed. This is the magnet that draws all those wanting to take their turn as the highest man/woman/child/dog in England. The one top where I find a little "summit-hogging" tolerable, just.
Scafell
Looking across to neighbouring Scafell. The mist rising out of Wasdale and filling all the gaps between these high peaks could lead to navigational errors. Everyone knows that the bifurcation of paths at Lingmell col is vague and in mist, care is needed to make sure you don't end up in the wrong valley.
Walkers in the Mist
As the mist thickened, I put the camera away and started humming tunes to myself; piece of cake this fellwalking lark, just follow everyone else. One of the ascenders even had a map and compass!
Hollow Stones
This is part of the "tourist route" to Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head. About 30 minutes after entering the mist, I'm greeted by the sight of Wastwater on the spur known as Brown Tongue. Today's day-long excursion will take in Wasdale Head and a route back over Sty Head.
 |
 |
Lingmell Gill
Walkers need to cross Lingmell Gill and that could be difficult when the stream is in spate. There is a well-signposted junction ahead which offers walkers the choice of Wasdale Head or the NT Campsite. Very useful these signs.
Kirk Fell
Kirk Fell is well lit as I walk across the lower flank of Lingmell. These are new paths for me, something always very welcome.
Barn Door Shop at Wasdale Head
I very rarely find myself at Wasdale Head, so I took some time out, bought a drink and had a rest. It'll be quite a long walk back to Seathwaite over Sty Head. There is an amended replica of Wainwright's drawing of the ascent route to Scafell Pike from here, it's above the No Parking sign.
Chinook Helicopter
Fellwalker's Dreamland
This walk into Lingmell Beck is fantastic, the view is immense. Maybe, in the mist, I transcended from one world to another. On a different day, I would have descened down the Corridor Route to Sty Head and considered it a walk well done. But today I find myself in this heavenly environment, walking between the shoulders of giants.
 |
 |
Great Gable |
Lingmell Beck |
Jacob's Ladder (perhaps!)
The southern end of Great Gable, with Napes Needle up there.
The Wine of Heaven!
Water cascading over Lower Kern Knotts spills across the path and this hot and weary walker cannot help but take a sip from the fast-flowing water. Pure water (hopefully) has a distinct flavour, not available in bottles or taps.
Great End
Sty Head Tarn
Into Borrowdale
Stockley Bridge
Allen Crags
A quiet look back at today's first fell. I suspect that Allen Crags is (are?) rarely climbed directly, it sits far too conveniently on a grand ridge walk. Those dippers at Stockley Bridge were very brave! That's this week's rainfall in the beck, not much chance to have heated up.
Back to The Car
Walkers: Just me
Time taken: 8hrs 20mins over a distance of about 14 miles.
Route: Seathwaite, Stockley Bridge, Grains Gill, Allen Gill, Allen Crags, Esk Hause, Calf Cove, Broad Crags Blockfield, Scafell Pike, Lingmell Col, Hollow Stones route down to Lingmell Gill, Wasdale Head. Burnthwaite, Lingmell Beck, Sty Head, Stockley Bridge, Seathwaite.
Weather and Conditions: Sunny and warm, mountain mist, very warm conditions on the latter part of the walk.
Greetings Count: Epic.
Refreshments: Cool drinks out of the fridge at the Barn Door Shop.
Oh, and by the way, I missed the turning at Lingmell Col. The appearance of Wastwater was quite a surprise!
Route Advice
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2013 ©
Contact Me via email - If you don't use "Outlook", just read the email address and send me a message from your usual email facility. Comments might be published, please tell me if you don't want that to happen and I will also edit messages if they contain personal stuff that the world doesn't need to see. Hover your pointer over the link and the target might appear in the bottom left of your screen.
Take me back to the start ....