Start point: Brackenclose (NY 182 074)
Brackenclose – Brown Tongue – Scafell Pike – Lingmell Col – Lingmell – Brackenclose
Distance: 9.6 km Total Ascent: 979 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 07:00
Weather: Beautiful and clear. 2°C
This is probably the only time of year to get on Scafell Pike without anyone around so I set off early to catch the sunrise. I didn’t quite make it this time but was near enough. The wind really picked up at the Lingmell Col and of course it was cold and biting. I had a chat to the ‘Wasdale Womble’ on the way up (she was already on the way down!) and there was a couple of guys on the summit but apart from that I saw no-one all morning. I sheltered on Lingmell for a coffee before making the steep descent down the nose back to Wasdale. What a great morning!
Route Map
Dawn moon-set from Hollow Stones.
First light on Great Gable climbing up from the Lingmell Col.
The tops of the fells to the north lit up with the sunrise.
Phew, made it to the top of Scafell Pike just after sunrise!
All worth it for the views, here looking across to Scafell.
The view to the north, Derwent Water, Skiddaw and Blencathra all visible. Note that all the snow has gone on Blencathra now (last week's walk!). The weather looks quite calm in the photos but it really was blowing a gale up there and it was freezing cold.
Low lying cloud in the valley's to the south.
Looking along the Scafell ridge.
Fletcher.
England's top dog, fur blowing in the wind!
Scafell Pike casting a shadow over Mosedale. There is a glimpse of Low Tarn on the centre left of this photo.
Lingmell summit picked out in the sun on the way down.
Lingmell summit.
The view to the north-east across Styhead Tarn.
Just one little biscuit...please.
The slender column above Lingmell Crag. This sits below the highest point and true summit.
It looks as though it has a smaller sibling a little further down now.
A view into Mosedale.
Close up on Great Gable.
Mickledore from Lingmell.
Paws for thought.
Wasdale Head gets a little sunshine.
Wasdale classic view.