Scafell Pike.

-
Friday nights forecast was good so we decided on an early start in an attempt to beat the crowds up Scafell Pike. There weren't many cars parked as we pulled up at Seathwaite but the weather was not as good as promised. We headed up Grains Gill and climbed Great End without seeing many people but also with limited views until we reached the summit where the cloud parted for a wee while. The colours were very autumnal and I took a few pictures before we headed off to Ill Crag to get a good view down Eskdale. The boulder fields were damp and Susan found them very slippery in her Keen boots. My 5.10 sticky rubber soles were great.
On the next leg to Scafell Pike the crowds started to appear and cloud returned. The summit, however, wasn't too busy so we found a quiet spot to eat before heading off to Lingmell. The descent was very busy but once we reached Lingmell col and headed off the main track we saw only 3 people. As we sat on the summit the cloud began to break again and the descent back to Borrowdale was stunning. A cracking day out on England's highest and ever popular hill.

On the summit of Great End as the cloud begins to clear.


Heading for Ill Crag.


Taking care on one of the slippery boulder fields.


Ill Crag with Scafell Pike behind.


Looking to Bowfell and Langdale Pikes.


The view down Eskdale.


Scafell Pike and Broad Crag - England's highest land.


Dropping down to Broad Crag col with the final climb to Scafell Pike ahead.


The summit but with no views.


Heading for Lingmell have escaped from the crowds.


Lingmell summit.


 The view down Borrowdale from Lingmell summit.


Great Gable from the Corridor Route.


Lingmell, Kirk Fell and Great Gable from the Corridor Route.


Great Gable.


Approaching the wee scramble on the Corridor Route.


Susan on the scramble with her poles ready for me to carry up.


Looking down to Wasdale Head.


Styhead Tarn and Blencathra beyond.


The view down Borrowdale.


Back at the car after a cracking day on the hill.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A week in Scotland.

-
Image
A week ago now we had an excellent 8 days up in Scotland spending time in Symington, Aviemore and Glasgow. We drove up to Symington on Friday 7 July and on the Saturday had a great ride to Peebles where, of course, we visited Cocoa Blacks for a wee treat. On Sunday we were up early and heading north to Aviemore and the Glenmore Campsite - one of my favourites despite changes in recent years. We had a leisurely drive but still had time for a ride once we'd 'set up camp'. Our route was a circuit to Boat of Garten and then a steep climb up the 'Ski Road' to the base of the Cairngorm Ski Station. This reached 20% in places and Susan wondered why we needed to do it. The views and the descent made it worthwhile.  The weather forecast for Monday wasn't too bad so we decided on a walk in the mountains. We drove up to the Ski Station and then headed for Scotland's second highest top Ben Macdui. It was overcast but dry as ...
Read more

Week off.

-
Image
Susan had last week off work and typically the weather has been very changeable.  On seeing the forecast we decided not to travel up north. The first weekend and Monday was spent in Dumfries and Symington and we cycled on all three days in mixed weather. A red dot in a sea of green - climbing over to Glenkiln. Higher on the climb over to Glenkiln, Dumfries. Disappearing towards Glenkiln.   On the road to New Abbey, Dumfries. Climbing out of New Abbey. On Tuesday we decided to head off on a short camping trip to the south Lakes. Due to the 6 month closure of the Keswick to Ambleside road we've not been beyond Dunmail Raise so this was a great change of scene. We headed first to Coniston to walk the fells above the village something we've not done for 10 years. Again the weather wasn't great for July but we got some great views and thoroughly enjoyed the round. On the Walna Scar Road. Threatening clouds above the fells. ...
Read more

Happy New Year.

-
Image
We decided to stay in Cumbria this New Year - a first for Susan!!! Thankfully the weather was much better than over the Christmas period and we were out on the hill every day. Hogmanay was overcast and windy but it was dry and we had a good day climbing over Bannerdale Crags and Blencathra. There were few people out but when we went into Keswick it was busier than ever. Dropping in to the Glenderamackin valley. A makeshift bridge across the burn - the bridge was washed away in Storm Desmond 2015. Climbing up onto the east ridge of Bannerdale Crags. On the east ridge . Some easy scrambling. Nearing the top. Good views despite the cloud. The sun trying to break through as we reach the summit. Heading for Blencathra. Susan battles into a strong wind. Looking to Thirlmere from a very windy summit. Looking to Derwent Water. On the descent. Dropping down to Scales Tarn to try and get out o...
Read more