The Scafells - 21st May 2007

Monday 21st May 2007

Start point: Brotherilkeld, car park at the bottom of Hardknott Pass (NY 214 011)

Brotherilkeld Farm - Lingcove Bridge - Great Moss - Esk Hause - Great End (510) - Ill Crag (511) - Broad Crag (512) - Scafell Pike - Mickledore - Lord's Rake - West Wall Traverse - Deep Gill - Scafell - Slight Side - Catcove Beck - Brotherilkeld Farm

Distance: 12.5 miles Total Ascent: 1295 metres Time Taken: 6 hours

Weather: Sunshine. 18oC.

Route Map

The sun finally shone today for this personal favourite walk to the Scafells from Brotherilkeld via Upper Eskdale and Great Moss. Conditions were almost perfect with the warm temperature and a light breeze and hardly a soul about apart from the usual congestion on Scafell Pike summit. I didn't take Angus today as this sort of walk is too tough for him now, but Casper came and managed to take it all in his stride. I hope you enjoy today's photographic journey as much as I enjoyed being there - what better place to be on a Monday morning?

Bow Fell above Brotherilkeld Farm.

Looking back along the walk to Upper Eskdale.

Following the River Esk with Bow Fell still looming large ahead.

Lots of falls and cool, clear pools on the Esk.

Lingcove Bridge.

Looking back along Eskdale from Throstle Garth, Lingcove Bridge is lower left.

The Scafells come into view climbing the gorge of the River Esk.

Scafell and Slight Side, the Esk still in the foreground.

Scafell Pike and Ill Crag.

Casper has a rest before the walk along Great Moss.

Scafell Pike and Ill Crag across Great Moss.

Scafell Pike.

Great Moss - the route from here is below Pen on the left and climbing to the depression of Esk Hause ahead.

Scafell Pike from Great Moss.

Cam Spout in the foreground of Scafell.

Looking back to the Scafells above Great Moss.

Up onto Esk Hause there seemed to be more clouds to the north, here looking over to Allen Crags.

Skiddaw and Derwent Water from Esk Hause.

The northern fells from the climb to Great End.

Skiddaw and Derwent Water from the summit of Great End. I had intended 'saving' Great End until I finished my round of the Birketts, but what the heck, it was too nice to miss the view today.

Pillar and Great Gable from Great End.

Scafell Pike ahead.

Looking down on Great Moss and the route used in ascent from Ill Crag.

Broad Crag from Ill Crag.

Casper on Broad Crag.

No mistaking the route to the summit of Scafell Pike from here, looks like it is busy up there as well.

Looking over Styhead Tarn to Derwent Water and Skiddaw from the summit of Scafell Pike, the highest point in England.

The route to Mickledore with Lord's Rake shown to the right.

Pulpit Rock from the path to Lord's Rake.

Climbing Lord's Rake, a steep scree filled gully.

The fallen rock - still there balancing at the top of Lord's Rake.

Looking back down Lord's Rake from the start of the West Wall Traverse. The entrance to the West Wall Traverse to the right of this photo is very eroded now, much worse than I remember it.

The view from the first section of the West Wall Traverse. The West Wall Traverse is a gently inclined high level path joining Lord's Rake and Deep Gill.

Looking back to Lord's Rake. The large boulder is at the top of the first section, the fallen boulder is resting across the top of Lord's Rake to the lower left.