Height: 935 metres / 3067 feet Grid reference: NY 22292 07342
The Scafells
Start point: Brackenclose (NY 182 074)
Brackenclose – Brown Tongue – Scafell Pike – Ill Crag – Broad Crag – Great End (and return) – Mickledore – Hollow Stones – Brackenclose
Distance: 7.5 miles Total Ascent: 1247 metres Time Taken: 6 hours Start Time: 06:45
Weather: Sunny above the clouds. 3oC
With the ridge of high pressure sitting over the Lake District and the persistent fog at lower levels there was a very good chance there would be a temperature inversion today which fortunately proved to be correct. I set off early from Brackenclose to try and catch the sunrise from the roof of England and I am glad I did, it was a fantastic morning to have the highest peaks in the land all to myself with some stunning views.
Great End via Skew Gill
Start point: Wasdale Head (NY 186 084)
Wasdale Head – Moses Trod – Skew Gill – The Band – Great End – Ill Crag – Broad Crag – Scafell Pike – Lingmell Col – Lingmell – Wasdale Head
Distance: 7.8 miles Total Ascent: 1115 metres Time Taken: 5 hours 15 minutes
Weather: Sunny spells, warm. 12oC.
Some walks are pretty and some are easier than others but today’s walk is best described as a gnarled and hard going. I climbed Skew Gill to reach Great End and that was a hard scramble (Note: to repeat, Skew Gill is a hard scramble and in no way is it a ‘walk’) and had a look at Cust’s Gully before climbing Great End and walking the Scafell Pikes. It was really quite pleasant at times too, warm and spring like and not too many people about either.
The Scafells
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.
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?