Monday 24th March 2008

Start point: Brackenclose (NY 182 074)

Brackenclose - Lingmell - Lingmell Col - Scafell Pike - Mickledore - Lord's Rake - Green How - Brackenclose

Distance: 5.8 miles     Total Ascent: 1030 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Snow, some bright spells. 5oC.

Route Map

Where better to experience winter conditions than the roof of England, Scafell Pike. I set off early today to beat the Bank Holiday crowds, in fact so early that I didn't see anyone! The snow made the going tough at times with the snow often being knee deep and sometimes deeper than that. I also took in Lord's Rake, a difficult prospect at any time of year and even more so in the snow. Warning: if you are going to attempt a similar walk in these conditions, you need to be adequately prepared and have the correct equipment to enable you to do it safely.

Early morning in Wasdale and there is a dull light on Lingmell, Scafell Pike and Scafell.

Lingmell. I followed the ridge climbing to the left.

Wasdale Head from the climb, Pillar and Kirk Fell have a covering of snow.

Mono Scafell Pike and Scafell, split by the cleft of Mickledore.

Looking back down to green fields and Wast Water from above the snow line. Illgill Head and Middle Fell are catching some early morning sun.

Looking into Mosedale, the fells looking a bit different to last week.

Blue sky to the west.

Scafell Crag on Scafell.

Lingmell Col. Lingmell summit is to the left.

The column on the northern edge of Lingmell with Mosedale beyond.

Casper on Lingmell, Illgill Head and Wast Water behind.

Great Gable, the summit shrouded in mist.

Great Gable and Lingmell Beck. To the right is Styhead Tarn.

Casper at the column.

Looking back across Lingmell Col from the start of the climb to Scafell Pike with Lingmell to the right. The cloud seems to be lifting from the Mosedale fells to the left.

A similar view from further up the climb - it definitely seems to be getting brighter.

First glimpse of Derwent Water with Skiddaw and Blencathra beyond. It was really cold now and there was a biting wind.

Cold wind and frozen beard.

Scafell Pike summit ahead.

It looks quite sunny to the north-east now.

...and over to Seatallan, Yewbarrow, Haycock and Red Pike.

Clear over Mosedale too.

Frozen boulders.

I think I timed this one just right - although there were brief sunny interludes, the summit was generally in cloud and the ceiling was ever present as can be seen in this photo.

A view straight through to Criffel in Scotland over Kirk Fell and between the High Stile ridge and the northern fells.

Easter Bank Holiday traffic at the summit of Scafell Pike.

The view to the south from the summit. To the right is Harter Fell with the dark pyramid of Stickle Pike, the Duddon Estuary and the Furness peninsula beyond.

The view to the north-east from the summit.

Looking across Great Moss to the Coniston fells.

The summit.

Suddenly, there is a change in the weather again on the descent to Mickledore. There are blue skies over Scafell now.

Broad Stand from Mickledore. On the far right is the vertical cleft of Lord's Rake, today's route of ascent. All I need to do now is get to it!

Climbing towards Broad Stand.

Great Moss and the Coniston fells from Mickledore.

Lord's Rake.

Looking down Lord's Rake from the top. Crampons and ice axe were essential for this treacherous part of the climb.

I wouldn't sit under the chockstone for too long Casper, you never know when it will fall.

The second section of Lord's Rake from the top of the first. Waist deep virgin snow and a steep drop to the right made this a tricky prospect.

Looking back to Scafell Pike and the top of the first section of Lord's Rake - you can see the chockstone if you look closely.

The third and final section of Lord's Rake. The far scree slope is clear of snow but first there is another tricky descent through deep snow.

At the top of the final section of Lord's Rake, it was like entering another world with a really strong blizzard blowing. I decided to give Scafell a miss this time and make a quick descent to the valley.

Looking back up to wild Scafell.

Wast Water and Middle Fell from the descent and it's still snowing.

Lingmell, the route of ascent. The snow continued to fall heavily, even at valley level.

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