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~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

Allen Crags Summit

Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....

Chapel House Farm Campsite

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

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 Grains Gill
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.

Grains Gill

The Footbridge, Grains Gill

Morraine Ridge Allen 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

The Gables

Halfway up Allen Gill and The Gables come into view over the higher reaches of Seathwaite Fell.

High House Tarn

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

Allen Crags Summit, 2572ft asl

Great End

Great End & The Gables

Esk Hause Calf Cove

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.

To Scafell Pike

Broad Crag (right) and Scafell Pike (centre)

Great Gable

Great Gable

Interesting cloudscapes in the view across to Great Gable.

Blockfield

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.

Ascent to Scafell Pike

The Final Ascent

Scafell Pike Summit

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

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.

In the mist

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!

Wastwater

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 Lingmell Gill

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

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

Chinook Helicopter

Great Gable

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
Great Gable
Lingmell Beck

Bursting Knott

Jacob's Ladder (perhaps!)

The southern end of Great Gable, with Napes Needle up there.

Lower Kern Knotts

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

Great End

Sty Head Tarn

Sty Head Tarn

Into Borrowdale

Into Borrowdale

Stockley Bridge

Stockley Bridge

Allen Crags

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.

Ratmobile

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 Guidance

Route Advice

All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2013 ©

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Take me back to the start ....

Take me home....